New Insecticide treated nets - WHO Recommendations New Insecticide treated nets - WHO Recommendations Content Editor: Dr. Ghurumourthy D March 18, 2023 WHO News section Malaria, Vector Borne Diseases New guidelines have been issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) to combat malaria, as mosquitoes in many areas become resistant to pyrethroids. The guidelines recommend two new classes of dual-ingredient ITNs with different modes of action: pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr nets and pyrethroid-pyriproxyfen nets. WHO issued a strong recommendation for the deployment of pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr vs pyrethroid-only ITNs to prevent malaria in adults and children in areas where mosquitoes have become resistant to pyrethroids. A conditional recommendation was made for the deployment of pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr ITNs instead of pyrethroid-PBO nets to prevent malaria in areas with pyrethroid resistance. The recommendations are based on moderate certainty of evidence. For further reading, click here

From Heatwaves to Waistlines: The Climate-Obesity Relationship From Heatwaves to Waistlines: The Climate-Obesity Relationship Content Editor: Dr. Subhana Siyad January 18, 2025 John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Climate Change, Obesity Climate change is emerging to be a contributor to obesity, which is also driven by a complex mix of genetic, behavioral, and social factors. Rising temperatures impact behavior, leading to reduced physical activity and changes in diet, especially in developing countries. Research studies found that a 1°C increase in temperature was linked to a 4% rise in children's BMI and a 2% increase in women's BMI . The studies showed a U-shaped relationship between temperature and BMI meaning higher rates of obesity at both high and low temperatures. Extreme heat also has long-term consequences, causing people to stay indoors and rely on more calorie-dense, processed foods due to higher agricultural prices and lower crop yields. The nutritional content of crops are also affected as climate change causes decrease in protein levels in staples like rice and wheat. Rising temperatures further affect obesity by decreasing energy expenditure through adaptive thermogenesis, a process that helps regulate body temperature. To combat these effects, experts emphasize solutions like increased physical education in schools and climate-resilient agricultural practices to improve nutrition and prevent obesity.

Headlines of the day (All) Public Health News Snippets 24 - 30th April, 2023 Vaccine confidence has gone up in India according to a UNICEF report Data was collected by The Vaccine Confidence Project and was published by UNICEF on 20 April 2023. Vaccine confidence declined in South Korea, Japan, Ghana, Senegal and Papua New Guinea. The major causes for declining vaccine confidence are misleading information and declining trust in vaccine efficiency. This decline comes as a backdrop as the world sustained the biggest backslide in childhood immunization in the last 30 years. A report said that a total of 67 million children missed out on vaccinations between 2019 to 2021 , with vaccine coverage levels declining in 112 nations. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal The Hindu Source : Published on : Thursday, April 27, 2023 Immunization, Vaccine efficiency, Vaccine coverage, Vaccine confidence WHO releases the Health Inequality Data Repository WHO launches "Health Inequality Data Repository (HIDR)" on 20th April 2023. The repository consists of disaggregated data covering the span of public health with the dimensions of inequality. It opens up a platform for conducting research and data analysis on inequality at the global, national, and subnational level. Encourages countries to adopt "Health inequality monitoring" routinely. It consists of: 2000 indicators grouped into 22 dimensions of inequality , for example demographic, socioeconomic and geographical factors. 59 datasets from 15 sources make up 11 million data points in HIDR. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti WHO News Section Source : Published on : Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Global Health, Health inequalities Gender disparity in agricultural industry predisposing to food crisis The production of agricultural goods for food and non-food purposes, as well as activities connected to food storage, transportation, processing, and distribution, employ more than one third of all working women worldwide. However, a fresh report from FAO claims that the gender pay gap, which accounts for a 24% difference in productivity between women and men farmers on farms of same size, is caused by gender inequities such as lower access for women to resources and expertise as well as a larger unpaid care load. Additionally, women in the agricultural industry receive pay that is about 20% less than that of men . In a period of rising global hunger, addressing the gender gap in farm production and the wage disparity in agricultural employment, according to FAO, would "increase global gross domestic product by nearly $1 trillion and reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million". More than 345 million people worldwide, an increase of about 200 million since early 2020, are predicted to experience food insecurity at crisis levels this year , according to the UN's World Food Programme (WFP). 43 million of them are on the verge of famine. Content Editor: Dr. Rajat Sharma Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UN Source : Published on : Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Global Health, Nutrition More protective efficacy of two medication combinations against severe COVID-19 At 12 locations in Brazil between January 15 and July 6, 2022, a team led by Stanford University evaluated the use of the oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine in combination with the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide in non-hospitalized adults with early symptoms of COVID-19 and at least one risk factor for severe disease. More patients in the treatment group than in the placebo group were either hospitalised within 28 days or evaluated in an emergency setting for COVID-19 for more than 6 hours. Weill Cornell Medicine researchers led a phase 2/3 platform trial assessing the safety and efficacy of amubarvimab plus romlusevimab . Compared to the placebo group, recipients of amubarvimab plus romlusevimab saw a considerably decreased risk of adverse events. The combination was equally effective against Delta and pre-Delta strains, according to a subgroup analysis of individuals possessing variation data, but the authors predicted that its efficacy against the now predominate Omicron variant would be restricted. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal CIDRAP Source : Published on : Tuesday, April 25, 2023 COVID 19 The new norm: More heat waves and fewer cold waves in India A study, Bhattacharya et al. discovered that every year, the number of days with abnormally high temperatures rises during the summer while the number of days with unusually low temperatures falls during the winter. The scientists discovered that the frequency of heat wave episodes is rising at a pace of 0.6 incidents every ten years. The researchers discovered that the frequency of cold waves is dropping by 0.4 occurrences every ten years. The authors highlight the divergent patterns of heat waves and cold waves. For instance, across the arid and semi-arid climatic region, heat waves are more frequent whereas cold waves are less frequent. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal Springer Source : Published on : Monday, April 24, 2023 Environment, Climate change Moving towards a Healthier Heart by Trans Fat Elimination Programme The increased risk of coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality associated with the intake of trans fatty acids compels World health leaders to propose the WHO Validation Programme for Trans Fat Elimination. The member states that meet the criteria set by WHO will receive a Validation certificate and will be recognized publicly for the steps taken to eliminate industrially processed foods from national food supplies. The applications are to be submitted by 19th May 2023. WHO urges countries to: revisit their best practice policies if already present place their statement of interest if they are yet to implement in 2023 take action if no step has been taken as of yet. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti WHO news section Source : Published on : Monday, April 24, 2023 Non-Communicable Diseases, Global Health WHO plans to upgrade its Prevention strategies with PRET Recovering with learnings of COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing surge of infections, World Health Organisation is launching an initiative to help countries ensure systems and capacities to speed up every aspect of their management of emerging threats, from response and recovery. Calling it as Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threat initiative or PRET, will be hosted in a global meeting on 24-26th April, 2023 and would be launched first with a focus on respiratory pathogens. It mainly focuses on improvement of pandemic preparedness by focusing mainly on the mode of transmission of pathogens. It particularly aims to strengthen existing systems and capacities and to fill gaps. Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh World Health Organisation Source : Published on : Monday, April 24, 2023 Global Public Health Message from the Director's desk before the World Immunization Week 2023 The Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO, Kate Obrien, speaks on the highlights of the: First Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization held in March 2023. The meeting stressed intensifying routine and catch-up immunization activities and outbreak response preparedness. The theme for World Immunization Week (24 to 30 April 2023) : "The Big Catch-up" is in line with the Immunization Agenda 2030 to spread awareness about the role of immunization in vaccine-preventable illnesses. The meeting also released the updated Roadmap for COVID-19 vaccination in the Omicron era. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti WHO News section Source : Published on : Monday, April 24, 2023 Global health, Vaccination, Immunization Launch of Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) "Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)" and“Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH)” project by the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying is launched. As a step forward toward the National One Health Mission, the APPI will work under the pillars of: Monitoring and surveillance Disease modeling and early warning and response systems Outbreak investigation and response Coordinating ecosystem Research and development, vaccine evolution, Disaster resilience building, Considering the livestock burden of diseases like Foot and mouth disease, African Swine fever, Avian influenza, and Lumpy skin disease, the initiative aims to invest in the livestock sector consisting of poultry, dairy, meat products market, and farmers who derive their livelihood from them. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Source : Published on : Monday, April 24, 2023 One Health, Animal Husbandry, Zoonotic diseases Global Warming Mitigation Measures by India Metrological Department The India Metrological Department (IMD) under Ministry of Earth Sciences issues forecast and colour coded warnings for severe weather events including heat waves. IMD in collaboration with local health departments have started the heat action plan since 2013 to forewarn people about the heat waves and advise preventive actions. The Heat Action Plan, implemented in 23 States, in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events constituting immediate as well as longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. A report by Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) stated that the population of insects is expected to rise across the world and enhance crop destruction due to global warming. Regarding this, IMD issues agro-meteorological advisories through Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme every Tuesday and Friday for 700 agriculturally important districts and around 3100 blocks by 130 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs) and 199 District Agromet Units (DAMUs). These advisories include the information regarding pests and diseases which affect agriculture and Pest-Weather calendars prepared for every crop. Seasonal Outlook is an initiative by IMD, which depicts the expected scenario of heat waves by estimating temperatures for April, May & June in the last week of March. This is followed by Extended Range Outlook , issued every Thursday for next two weeks. Heat wave warnings are issued for next 5 days with outlook for next 2days. Content Editor: Dr. Jasmin Nilima Panda Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, April 24, 2023 Climate Change, Global Warming, Global Health WHO Bulletin Releases Special Edition on Traditional Medicine Ahead of Global Summit The WHO Bulletin's special issue includes 17 articles covering integration into primary healthcare, AI applications, Indigenous rights, and policy frameworks. This publication highlights that traditional medicine serves billions globally, with the wellness economy projected to grow from $5.6 trillion in 2022 to $8.5 trillion in 2027. The edition identifies critical research gaps, with less than 1% of global health research funding dedicated to traditional medicine. It focuses on research related to the safety of traditional medicines and explores ways to integrate the traditional medicine workforce into primary healthcare systems. Findings will inform discussions at the upcoming WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17th to 19th December 2025 in New Delhi. Enhanced integration of evidence-based traditional medicine could expand healthcare access and support universal health coverage. Strengthened research and regulation would ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy. Respectful inclusion of Indigenous knowledge could promote health equity while preserving cultural heritage. Content Editor: Dr. Lopamudra World Health Organization Source : Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Global Health, Traditional Medicine Integration Global Summit in Geneva Intensified Efforts to Curb Toxic Mercury Pollution The sixth conference of the Minamata Convention on Mercury took place in Geneva from 3rd to 7th November 2025, reviewing the progress of this international treaty implemented since 2017. Delegates focused on accelerating the phase-out of mercury in everyday products like batteries, light bulbs, and cosmetics, while addressing industrial emissions. Special attention was given to artisanal and small-scale gold mining, a practice involving mercury that employs up to 20 million miners globally and poses severe health risks. The conference also aimed to enhance support for nations through funding and technical assistance, aligning with the 20th anniversary of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership. Reducing mercury exposure will directly prevent severe neurological damage, kidney failure and developmental disorders in vulnerable populations. Phasing out mercury in consumer products and mining will decrease contamination in food chains, lowering chronic disease risks. This action is particularly crucial for protecting pregnant women and children from birth defects and cognitive impairments, ultimately reducing the global burden of mercury-related illnesses. Content Editor: Dr Lopamudra United Nations Source : Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Environmental Health, International Policy Fitness & Nation-Building: Insights from the National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stressed that in a digitally driven world, India has moved away from its naturally active past. He stressed that 65% of India’s population is below 35, making youth fitness not just a health agenda but an economic opportunity. India’s capacity to produce sports goods, nutrition supplements, and fitness equipment can strengthen a growing sports economy. Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse echoed this sentiment, highlighting that as India rises in global sports, community-level initiatives such as Sundays on Cycle can slowly transform lifestyle habits. She emphasised the need for a collective ecosystem, families, schools, communities, and industry, to work together towards a fitter India. The event also saw the felicitation of new Fit India Icons and their messages cut across caution and motivation: Warning youth against blindly following unverified “health influencers”. Linking fitness to a strong sports culture, and urging parents to limit screen time and encourage physical activity. Sharing the simple triad- “ Eat right, rest right, train right” . Panel discussions during the conclave pointed out the urgent need to address screen addiction, early-life sedentary behaviour, misleading bodybuilding shortcuts, and increasing access to junk food. Experts noted that if fitness habits don’t start early, the long-term costs will reflect in rising non-communicable diseases, mental health stressors, and reduced productivity. Prioritising fitness among youth can significantly reduce future NCD burden. Community-based initiatives can reshape lifestyle behaviours at the grassroots level. Regulating spurious supplements and misleading online fitness advice is essential for consumer safety. Encouraging early-life physical activity can counter childhood obesity and screen dependency. A fit population directly contributes to economic growth, productivity, and healthy ageing. Content Editor: Dr. Deepika Press Information Bureau (PIB) Source : Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Fit India Movement, Physical Activity, Non-Communicable Diseases, Viksit Bharat Global Evidence Review of the Inequality- Pandemic Cycle: UNAIDS report Crux of the findings: Presence of inequality (both within and between countries) and vulnerability to pandemics reinforce each other and exist as a vicious cycle. Ways in which this cycle perpetuates: Inequality increases the vulnerability of communities and countries to disease outbreaks and their escalation into pandemics. This is evidenced by a positive and statistically significant relationship between the Gini Index of a country and HIV incidence rates, AIDS and COVID-19 mortality rates , which remained after controlling for indicators of poverty. Inequality undermines effective responses, ultimately prolonging pandemic crises and intensifying their human and economic toll. Because pandemics are inherently global, unequal national capacities, finances, and social disparities weaken collective responses, erode public trust, and heighten the risk of new variants and hamper a robust response to the pandemic. The report also provides four evidence-based recommendations on disrupting the drivers of the inequality-pandemic cycle: An international debt repayment standstill until 2030 for distressed countries struggling with high disease rates in the current pandemic (like AIDS, TB) to allow them to reprioritize resources. To make the world safer from future pandemics, standby financing facilities in the Global North and South to be created for countries responding to a pandemic. Use social protection mechanisms to reduce socioeconomic and health inequalities while building societal resilience in order to prepare for, and respond to, pandemics. Global funding to build local and regional production of technologies for pandemics of today, like HIV and TB. For future pandemics, automatically waive global intellectual property rules on pandemic technology when a pandemic is declared. For ongoing pandemics, shift funding and pandemic preparedness and response to include community-led organizations . The report calls for action to emphasize focus on the socio-economic determinants which perpetuate pandemics rather than just the biological determinants of the disease in question. It provides several evidence based recommendations which can be adopted at a global, country or regional scale to break the inequality-pandemic vicious cycle. For reading further, Click here . Content Editor: Dr Reetika Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2025 Source : Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Pandemic preparedness, Social inequality, Global Health Decomposition Analysis of Factors Driving Global Maternal Mortality Reduction A paper published in November 2025 in The Lancet Global Health found that global maternal mortality has fallen by 41% between 2000 and 2023 - largely due to the twin pillars of improved maternity care and expanded access to family planning . The study, titled “Effect of maternity care improvement, fertility decline, and contraceptive use on global maternal mortality reduction between 2000–2023: results from a decomposition analysis,” examined data from 195 countries and territories. Researchers quantified how much each intervention contributed to saving mothers’ lives over two decades. Data was taken from maternal mortality estimation database. A decomposition analysis was done to separately assess the effect of maternal care and reduction in fertility on maternal mortality. The analysis revealed that 61.2% of the reduction in maternal deaths could be attributed to better maternity care , while 38.8% was due to fertility decline . Contraceptive use alone prevented an estimated 77,400 maternal deaths in 2023- nearly one in four maternal deaths averted that year. Preventing unintended or closely spaced pregnancies reduces complications that can lead to severe outcomes, including unsafe abortions and maternal mortality. The findings come at a crucial time as nations work toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 , which calls for reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 . It reaffirms that preventing maternal deaths requires a comprehensive approach, one that simultaneously strengthens maternity care and empowers women through family planning. Policymakers and health systems should integrate these services within primary health care, ensure contraceptive access for all women of reproductive age, and close equity gaps in reproductive health. Investing in integrated care not only saves lives but advances gender equality and accelerates progress toward the SDGs. For further reading, Click here . Content Editor: Dr Deepika The Lancet Global Health Source : Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Maternal Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Gender Equality, Family Planning, Declining Global Maternal Mortality Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Noticeable Improvement: CAQM 2025 Report From January 1 to November 9, 2025, Delhi's average A ir Q uality I ndex (AQI ) was 175 , a decrease from 189 during the same timeframe the previous year as per the reports. The average levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were 75 µg/m³ and 170 µg/m³, respectively, compared to 87 µg/m³ and 191 µg/m³ last year. In Punjab, farm fire incidents dropped by 35.2% and in Haryana , they decreased by 65.3% between September 15 and November 9, 2025. In the National Capital Region (NCR), over 23 lakh tonnes of waste from legacy dumpsites have been bio-mined in Delhi. Additionally, new waste-to-energy facilities and Bio-CNG/CBG facilities are being developed. More than 96% of industries have transitioned to approved fuels. By September, over 4.37 crore saplings had been planted in the NCR. Various measures from G raded R esponse A ction P lan (GRAP ) Stage I & II are in effect, and there has been an increase in registrations and inspections at construction sites. Despite the improvement, with the onset of winters, AQI has deteriorated in Delhi-NCR. Exposure to major air pollutants, such as PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ are significant risk factors for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Decrease in farm fire incidents, shifts to cleaner industrial fuels, and effective solid waste management are expected to lower the overall disease burden associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer and early mortality. Additionally, increased green spaces and stricter oversight of construction activities contribute to healthier urban settings. However, much of the change could be attributed to the change in the weather and continued rain in Delhi during the time period, mentioned in the report. Sustained intersectoral collaboration and community involvement are crucial to preserving long-term air quality in the National Capital. Content Editor: Dr Sampriti Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Source : Published on : Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Air Pollution, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy Genomic Collaboration for a Safer Future: India and Italy Unite for Pandemic Preparedness International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) New Delhi organized an international Round Table titled “Investigating and translating Genomic Evidence for Public Health Response to SARS-CoV-2,” featuring prominent researchers and science administrators from India and Italy. The event highlighted the role of genomic evidence in bolstering pandemic preparedness. The discussion stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the necessity of improving global genomic surveillance, translating research into practice, and ensuring health-system readiness. Attendees included Prof Lawrence Banks (DG, ICGEB), Prof Ramesh Sonti (Director, ICGEB Delhi), experts from the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) Rome, and the Embassy of Italy in India. The gathering reinforced a shared understanding that future pandemics are certain, with only the timing, location, and severity remaining unknown, and advocated for ongoing collaboration between India and Italy in science, technology, and innovation for public health. The round table underscores the essential importance of genomic surveillance and global scientific cooperation in enhancing pandemic readiness and response. Incorporating genomic data into public health frameworks can facilitate the early detection of new pathogens, swift identification of variants, and prompt policy decisions. Strengthened research connections between India and Italy foster knowledge sharing, capacity development, and technology exchange, contributing to more robust health systems. The focus on converting genomic information into public health measures highlights the necessity for ongoing investment in laboratory infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and data-sharing systems. Such coordinated international efforts will improve preparedness for future pandemics, reducing illness, death, and socioeconomic disruption. For further reading, click here Content Editor: Dr. Sampriti Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Source : Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Genomic Surveillance, Pandemic Readiness WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new report, “The Future of Paediatric Clinical Trials- Setting Research Priorities for Child Health, to enhance child health research worldwide.” The agenda aims for 0-9 years old children, addressing the persistent evidence gaps in pediatric trials. Children continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials, despite having the potential to benefit significantly from them. More than 380 experts contributed 653 research questions, prioritized into 172 global priorities. In brief, the focus areas include infectious diseases, NCDs, newborn health, early childhood development, and nutrition. The approach emphasizes feasibility, scalability, and equitable impact, aiming to ensure research benefits all children, especially in low-resource settings. WHO urges Member States, research bodies, and funders to align resources and collaborate. Strengthening paediatric clinical trials is vital to ensure that child health interventions are evidence-based, safe, and contextually relevant. This agenda empowers public health systems to address inequities in research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where child disease burdens remain highest. For further reading, click here Content Editor: Dr. Leenus World Health Organization Source : Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials WHO refutes Tylenol-Autism Link: Urges Evidence-Based Care Following claims by the US president that pregnant women should avoid Tylenol (acetaminophen), linking it to a “very increased risk of autism,” fear and confusion spread among pregnant women, which drew swift criticism from health experts. However, on 24 September 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) responded, reassuring the public that current evidence does not support any link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. The WHO noted that autism affects about 62 million people worldwide and is caused by multiple factors, not yet fully understood. It is recommended that pregnant women adhere to medical guidance and take medicines with caution. It reaffirmed that vaccines do not cause autism, crediting immunization with saving 154 million lives. WHO called for evidence-based, stigma-free practices in collaboration with autistic-led organizations. These unsupported claims linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism highlight the critical need for robust, evidence-based risk communication. Public health professionals should prioritize clear, science-driven messaging to prevent misinformation from influencing maternal and child health. For further reading, click here Content Editor: Dr. Leenus World Health Organization Source : Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Maternal and Child Health, Health Communication, Global Health Governance 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Climate Change and Health The 2025 Lancet report highlights the significant health impact of climate inaction, which has led to heat-related deaths rising by 23% since the 1990s, with 546,000 deaths annually. Extreme heat conditions have led to increased food insecurity affecting 124 million people and financial losses from heat exposure amounting to $1.35 trillion. It contrasts climate finance and fossil fuel spending , highlighting that governments spent $956 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2023, surpassing their climate support commitments and exceeding the health budgets of 15 countries. Furthermore, the advantages of addressing climate change are evident, with 160,000 premature deaths avoided from reduced coal pollution and 16 million jobs supported by renewable energy. The health sector has seen a 16% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and many WHO Member States have developed adaptation plans. Looking forward to COP30, WHO aims to publish a report emphasizing that addressing climate change offers a critical opportunity to improve health and save over 10 million lives annually, advocating for the phasing out of fossil fuels and promoting sustainable agriculture. In 2023, fossil fuel subsidies amounted to $956 billion. Transitioning to sustainable agriculture and renewable energy could prevent over 10 million deaths annually. Content Editor: Dr. Shubham World Health Organization Source : Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Climate change, food insecurity, Sustainability WHO Introduces New Global Framework to Enhance National Health Emergency Response The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the National Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework, a comprehensive guide to strengthen national emergency preparedness. It consolidates over 300 recommendations from the COVID-19 pandemic into the Health Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (HEPR) architecture. The framework outlines all emergency stages—from detection and notification to response and review—and provides practical tools, such as checklists. It incorporates the 7-1-7 performance target: 7 days to detect an outbreak, 1 day to notify authorities, and 7 days to implement initial control measures. Aimed at government authorities, the guide addresses the growing threats posed by climate change, urbanization, and geopolitical instability. This framework provides a critical, standardized toolkit for nations to accelerate and coordinate their response to health emergencies, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality during future crises by ensuring a faster, more efficient, and evidence-based reaction. For further reading, click here Content Editor: Dr. Lopamudra World Health Organization Source : Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Global Health Security, Emergency Preparedness Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India On October 23, 2025, India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) introduced three specialized training modules designed to enhance the nation's ability to handle chemical emergencies. These modules, crafted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and with technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) India, focus on: (1) Preparedness, Surveillance & Response, (2) Pre-Hospital Management, and (3) Medical Management of Chemical Emergencies . Aimed at public health professionals, emergency responders, healthcare workers, and policymakers, these resources support the core capacities required by the International Health Regulations (2005) . The launch event, held at Nirman Bhavan in New Delhi, gathered senior officials from various ministries, academia, industry, and international partners to reaffirm India's dedication to establishing a robust and self-sufficient health emergency response system. The introduction of these training modules boosts India's readiness for chemical emergencies by enabling quicker detection, a coordinated response, and a decrease in illness and death rates. This initiative bolsters national health security and aids in adhering to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), thereby enhancing the resilience of the public health system. For further reading, click here Content Editor: Dr. Sampriti PIB Delhi Source : Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives This is a title. View More This is an extra long title. Click here to edit and add your own text. It's easy. View More This is a title. Click here to edit and add your own text. View More This is a title. Click here to edit and add your own text. View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

Vacant seats-Dental fraternity at peril Vacant seats-Dental fraternity at peril Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay August 5, 2023 The Hindu Dental education, Medical Education In the past 5 years, there has been a considerable percentage of unoccupied seats in Indian dentistry programs , particularly in private dental institutions in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Punjab. According to data from the Dental Council of India, despite the Central Government's efforts to improve healthcare by creating additional dental colleges, a significant proportion of BDS and MDS seats remain empty. Seats for BDS and MDS degrees increased from 14% to 48%, between 2014 and 2023, with estimated 27868 and 6814 BDS and MDS seats respectively in 2021-22. Experts claim that students are avoiding dentistry schools due to inadequate equipment, facilities, and patient inflow as reasons. Other major hindrances are the scarcity of government jobs and relatively low income in the private sector (1-2 lakh/annum). Among the top five dental colleges ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework, only one is government-run i.e. MAMC, Delhi, the rest are privately owned, charging over 3 lakhs annually for the five-year BDS program.

Updated Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI) programme under National Health Mission. Updated Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI) programme under National Health Mission. February 15, 2023 Press Information Bureau National Health Mission, AB-HWC, OOPE The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India supports ‘Free Diagnostics Service Initiative’ (FDSI) programme under National Health Mission. FDSI was launched with the aim to provide accessible and affordable pathological and radiological diagnostics services closer to the community which in turn reduces the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE). Number of essential medicines and essential diagnostics at AB-HWCs have been increased i.e. HWC-PHC - 171 essential medicines and 63 essential diagnostics, HWC- Subcentre - 105 essential medicines and 14 essential diagnostics. To increase the outpatients in Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centre (AB- HWCs), this measure was taken along with an expanded package of 12 services for patients.

Promoting transparency: FSSAI's directive on energy and health drink labeling Promoting transparency: FSSAI's directive on energy and health drink labeling Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala April 6, 2024 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Nutrition, Legislation, Safety, Food hygiene Currently, certain proprietary foods that fall under the dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverage mix category are being sold under the label of “energy drinks or health drinks.” To prevent such false labeling of drinks, the FSSAI has issued an advisory to the e-commerce food business operators to re-categorize their products under appropriate groups. In this advisory, the FSSAI clarified the drinks that can be classified as “Energy drinks” and “healthy drinks” Currently, there is no mention of ‘health drinks’ anywhere in the FSS Act 2006 or FSS Rules and Regulations. Whereas, carbonated, flavored, and water-based drinks are classified as ‘energy drinks’ under the regulations. This advisory aims to ensure transparency and prevent the spread of misinformation. Click here to read more

Fresh faces: WHO's new regional directors take the lead Fresh faces: WHO's new regional directors take the lead Content Editor: Dr Sakshi Aggarwal February 1, 2024 WHO News Section World Health Organisation, Leadership Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhy , who will serve as Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt is a pediatrician from the USA with an experience of over 20 years in leading various public health initiatives like Antimicrobial Resistance, Infection Prevention and Control, etc. Ms. Saima Wazed , who will serve as Regional Director for the South-East Asia Regional Office in New Delhi , India, holds a degree in clinical psychology and has diverse experience in the field of mental health and other neurodevelopmental disorders . Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala , who will serve as Regional Director for the Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, Philippines , is a politician, public health leader, and surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience. All the newly appointed directors will start their tenure on 1 February 2024 and serve for a five-year long term.

Measures implemented by the Centre to alleviate health hazards linked to climate change Measures implemented by the Centre to alleviate health hazards linked to climate change Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai August 17, 2023 Press Information Bureau Climate Change, Environmental Health Climate change is projected to negatively impact human health, primarily through increased occurrences of extreme weather events like heat waves, cyclones, floods, and droughts. The National Disaster Management Authority's 2019 plan has assigned various government departments the responsibility of addressing health risks associated with such hazards. The Union Health Ministry, acknowledging its role, has launched the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH). This initiative aims to Increase awareness, Build capacity, Enhance health sector readiness Form partnerships. Key efforts include Crafting a National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health, Issuing alerts for environmental concerns, Disseminating seasonal health advisories, and Conducting nationwide awareness campaigns and workshops. Environmental health surveillance is conducted at various levels, and guidelines for flood-related public health issues have been issued. Additionally, many states have developed their own action plans to address the specific challenges posed by climate change to human health.