Launch of the virtual node to tackle the rise in metabolic diseases Launch of the virtual node to tackle the rise in metabolic diseases Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy July 23, 2024 Press Information Bureau Public health, Noncommunicable diseases, NAFLD Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh recently launched the Indo-French Liver and Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN ) to jointly address the rising burden of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) . InFLiMeN, a virtual node, will aid in addressing the critical issues related to NAFLD and help prevent and cure these metabolic liver diseases at ILBS, Delhi . With the rising burden of NAFLD, there is a need to develop simple, low-cost diagnostic tests that will aid in the early detection of NAFLD, thereby preventing its progression to severe diseases. InFLiMeN will help understand the development, progression, and management using a comprehensive omics approach for biomarker discovery . This initiative will provide point-of-care India-specific interventions to address the differences the Indian phenotype faces. Click here to read more.

Global Hygiene Report Highlights on Role of Hygiene and Infection Prevention Against Antimicrobial Resistance Global Hygiene Report Highlights on Role of Hygiene and Infection Prevention Against Antimicrobial Resistance Content Editor: Dr. Jasmin Nilima Panda May 11, 2023 International Health news Global Health, Antimicrobial Resistance, Infection Prevention and Control, WASH A report from the Global Hygiene Council (GHC) directs governments and health officials to focus more on infection prevention to fight against the threats of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and other infectious disease. The recommendation is one of four key pillars of change identified by a global panel of experts of GHC in 2022 for improving and maintaining the adoption of proper hygiene habits and enhancing readiness for pandemics in the future through AMR-sensitive infection prevention and control tools. The other pillars of change include: Building the hygiene lessons learned from COVID-19; Quantifying the economic benefits of hygiene; Establishing strong hygiene habits. The GHC experts concurred that hygiene practices such as targeted surface cleaning of high-contact areas in hospitals, can help reduce the need for antibiotics and should be considered alongside AMR-specific interventions, including antimicrobial stewardship and the development of new antibiotics. Only 11 out of 77 national AMR actions plans enlisted by WHO include WASH recommendations for community settings. As a result, GHC urged all nations to incorporate the WHO Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) recommendations into their national AMR action plans. The report also urges future public health campaigns and infection prevention and control policies to ensure access to clean water and hygiene resources to help prevent the spread of infections (including those that are drug resistant) and to provide reasonable information on evidence-based practices.

WHO report: 2.6 million annual deaths due to alcohol consumption WHO report: 2.6 million annual deaths due to alcohol consumption Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet July 20, 2024 WHO News Section Substance abuse, Alcohol, Lifestyle The WHO’s latest report underscores the severe public health impact of alcohol and drug use. In 2019, 2.6 million deaths were attributed to alcohol, predominantly among men. The report reveals that 400 million people globally suffer from alcohol use disorders. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the urgent need for actions to reduce alcohol consumption and enhance substance use disorder treatments. Despite slight decreases in alcohol consumption, death rates remain high, especially in low-income countries. The report calls for global efforts to meet SDG target 3.5 by 2030, focusing on prevention , treatment accessibility, and reducing the stigma around substance use disorders. Effective measures include advocacy campaigns, healthcare professional training, and resource mobilization. Click here to read more.

Public Health Daily News Snippets WHO Bulletin Releases Special Edition on Traditional Medicine Ahead of Global Summit The WHO Bulletin published its first special issue on traditional medicine since 1977, featuring research and policy analyses. This release precedes the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled for December 2025 in New Delhi. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health, Traditional Medicine Integration Read More Global Summit in Geneva Intensified Efforts to Curb Toxic Mercury Pollution A major international conference was held in Geneva from 3rd to 7th November 2025 to strengthen the global fight against mercury pollution . Delegates collaborated to accelerate the phase-out of this toxic metal from products and industrial processes, aiming to protect human health and the environment. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : United Nations Environmental Health, International Policy Read More Fitness & Nation-Building: Insights from the National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 The first-ever National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 in Mumbai brought together policymakers, athletes, and industry leaders to reaffirm one message: India’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends on how seriously we take fitness today. With icons from sports and cinema joining the conversation, the conclave highlighted fitness as both a cultural shift and a public health necessity. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fit India Movement, Physical Activity, Non-Communicable Diseases, Viksit Bharat Read More Global Evidence Review of the Inequality- Pandemic Cycle: UNAIDS report The UNAIDS established the “Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemic ” in 2023. Its report “Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle ” released in November 2025 is based on evidence from more than 1500 peer-reviewed literature and reports from government agencies and research institutions across multiple pandemics and its own empirical studies over the past 2 years. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2025 Pandemic preparedness, Social inequality, Global Health Read More Decomposition Analysis of Factors Driving Global Maternal Mortality Reduction A new Lancet Global Health paper highlights evidence that combining family planning with quality maternity services has driven a 41% global decline in maternal deaths since 2000. The study shows how contraception alone prevented more than 77,000 maternal deaths in 2023. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : The Lancet Global Health Maternal Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Gender Equality, Family Planning, Declining Global Maternal Mortality Read More Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Noticeable Improvement: CAQM 2025 Report The 2025 update from the C ommission for A ir Q uality M anagement (CAQM ) highlights significant enhancements in Delhi's air quality and a marked reduction in stubble-burning incidents in nearby states. The report offers data-backed evidence of collaborative efforts to reduce pollution through the use of cleaner fuels, improved waste management, and more stringent regulatory measures. Published on : Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Air Pollution, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy Read More Genomic Collaboration for a Safer Future: India and Italy Unite for Pandemic Preparedness The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) round table in New Delhi emphasized the power of genomic research and collaboration in strengthening pandemic preparedness. Experts called for sustained global surveillance and rapid translation of genomic data to safeguard public health. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Genomic Surveillance, Pandemic Readiness Read More WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global research agenda to close gaps in evidence on child health. It prioritizes equitable, high-impact paediatric trials to ensure that treatments for children are safe, effective, and grounded in sound science. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials Read More WHO refutes Tylenol-Autism Link: Urges Evidence-Based Care A statement by the current US President, which linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, prompted an immediate response from the World Health Organization. The WHO clarified that no scientific evidence supports this claim and urged reliance on medical guidance. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Maternal and Child Health, Health Communication, Global Health Governance Read More 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Climate Change and Health Impacts of climate inaction have led to a 23% increase in heat-related deaths since the 1990s. Food insecurity affected 124 million more people due to extreme weather in 2023, with losses reaching $1.35 trillion. Addressing climate change has prevented 160,000 premature deaths from coal pollution and supported 16 million jobs in renewable energy. With COP30 ahead, WHO, along with member states, plans to emphasize climate action and a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Climate change, food insecurity, Sustainability Read More WHO Introduces New Global Framework to Enhance National Health Emergency Response The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global guide, the National Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework, to bolster countries' readiness for health crises. Developed from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a standardized approach for managing emergencies. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health Security, Emergency Preparedness Read More Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced three specialized training modules to enhance India’s capacity for managing chemical emergencies. This initiative aims to build a skilled, coordinated response system across healthcare and disaster management sectors. 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Blocking IL-33 to prevent cancer: New study highlights Pitavastatin's potential Blocking IL-33 to prevent cancer: New study highlights Pitavastatin's potential Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet June 7, 2024 Nature Communications Research findings, Cancer, Prevention A recent study demonstrates that the TLR3/4-TBK1-IRF3 pathway connects environmental insults to IL-33 induction in skin and pancreatic inflammation. Scientists screened an FDA-approved drug library and found pitavastatin effectively suppresses IL-33 by blocking TBK1 membrane recruitment via the mevalonate pathway. Pitavastatin was shown to prevent chronic pancreatitis and its cancerous outcomes in an IL-33-dependent manner. This pathway is highly active in human chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Pitavastatin use correlates with a reduced risk of these conditions, highlighting statins as a potential preventative strategy against inflammation-induced cancer . Future research will focus on exploring the impact of statins on preventing cancer development linked to chronic inflammation in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, efforts will be made to identify other novel therapeutic approaches to suppress cancer-prone chronic inflammation. Click here to read more.

‘Hospital at home’ Programs remain concentrated in larger, urban Not-for-profit and academic hospitals ‘Hospital at home’ Programs remain concentrated in larger, urban Not-for-profit and academic hospitals Content Editor: Dr Soundhar February 18, 2025 Los Angeles Health Sciences Health Program, International health, Health innovations The ‘Hospital-at-home’ program was adopted from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS ) which was established in November 2020 allows hospitals to deliver care to patients in their own homes instead of traditional admission in hospital in case of acute illness. In the cross-sectional analysis of short-term acute care hospitals in the United States, the study compared hospitals that applied waivers between November 2022 and December 2022 (pre-extension hospitals) and those after that (post-extension hospitals). Study found that adoption of waiver remained concentrated in urban, not-for-profit and academic hospitals. Study implicated that if CMS wants to expand the reach of Hospital-at-Home, then work must be done to ensure and incorporate rural and non-teaching hospitals. It indicates that these types of hospitals are not seeking to create these programs on their own, because of resources involved in it to sustain their operation.

One Nation One Subscription a step ahead for higher educational institutions One Nation One Subscription a step ahead for higher educational institutions Content Editor: Dr Swathi November 27, 2024 PIB Innovation, Education, Schemes A new central sector scheme providing country-wide access to scholarly research articles and journals was launched by the union cabinet. The scheme, “One Nation One Subscription” will be available for the government higher education institutions and R &D laboratories through a simple, user friendly subscription, which will be coordinated by a central agency, named “Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) . The scheme has been approved for 3 years, with a budget of 6000 crores. The scheme aims to enhance the scope, and maximizing access to higher education in India. This scheme is in line with the goals of the Vikisitbharat@2047 , the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the National Education Policy 2020. The state government will further run campaigns to promote and increase the usage of the scheme by all the stakeholders. Covering a total of 1.8 crore students through 6300 institutions, this scheme will foster and build towards capacity building. Click here to read more.

India’s Inequality report: The key findings India’s Inequality report: The key findings Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala July 26, 2024 World Inequality Database Inequality, India, Gender Parity The salient highlights of India’s place in the World Inequality Report 2022 are as follows: Indians have an average national income of Rs 204,200 . However, when we look at the disaggregated data, the top 10% of the adult population hold 57% of the average yearly income, the top 1% hold 22% of it, and the bottom 50% of Indian adults hold 13% of the share of national income. The liberalization and deregulation of economic policies have fueled this extreme divide in income among Indian citizens. The average Indian household's wealth is Rs 983,010, which has marked inequalities. The top 10% hold 65% of the average wealth, the top 1% hold 33% of the average, and the bottom 50% hold only 6% of the wealth . The women’s labor income in India is much lower than the Southeast Asian average , which is one of the lowest in the world. It is only 18%, which needs to be 50% to reach gender parity. The Indian population consumes much less greenhouse gas per person . The bottom 50% of Indians emit CO2 five times and ten times less than the bottom 50% of the European Union and the United States, respectively. Click here to read more.