India’s Immunization status, 2023: The trends following the pandemic India’s Immunization status, 2023: The trends following the pandemic Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala July 29, 2024 WHO Immunization dashboard Immunization coverage, Vaccine-preventable diseases The reported cases of vaccine-preventable diseases Diphtheria, Japanese Encephalitis, Pertussis, and Rubella have continued to increase since their fall in 2021, with a marked rise in measles cases from a reported 5700 in 2021 to 65,150 in 2023. This reflects the inadequate immunization coverage following the COVID-19 pandemic health system disruptions, leading to outbreaks. The trend of reported Mumps cases shows a valley with 758 cases in 2021, a sharp fall to 6 in 2022, and a rise again to 195 . Such a picture might arise due to inadequate case reporting. However, neonatal tetanus cases have gradually declined to 62 from 2020 levels. Based on administrative and official data: BCG, Pentavalent 1& 3, Oral Polio 3rd dose, Measles and Rubella (MR 1st dose), and Inactivated Polio-Vaccine (IPV 1st dose) have shown a 1-2% decline in coverage from 2022 levels. The MCV 2nd dose coverage has remained constant at 90%. In one year, the final dose coverage of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has increased by 17%. The Hepatitis B birth dose remains constant, with a low coverage of 63%. The above data are summary statistics, representing a single number for a diverse community. Hence, the disaggregated data must be analyzed before interpreting or generalizing the above data. Click here to read more.

World sickle cell disease day: Aim to cover 1 million screenings World sickle cell disease day: Aim to cover 1 million screenings Content Editor: Shayari Nag July 2, 2024 Press Information Bureau Sickle Cell Anaemia, Anemia, Screening The World Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Day events focused on halting transmission and promoting early diagnosis, access to treatment, and quality care for SCD. The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM ), a monumental initiative launched in 2023, is set to eliminate SCD in India by 2047, underscoring the scale of our commitment . Since its inception, over 33.9 million screenings have been recorded, and over 11.2 million Sickle Cell Status ID cards have been distributed. The key features of the program are: - Focus on screening and managing individuals aged 0-40 years. - Focus on the Tribal communities in the 17 high-burden states - Awareness generation and pre-marital counseling - Holistic management at primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels PM Narendra Modi and Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the importance of NSCAEM and its approach, On SCD Day 2024, 44,751 events held across 17 high-burden states, resulting in: - 615,806 individuals screened - 259,193 Sickle Cell ID cards distributed Awareness activities will continue for 15 days, targeting 1 million screenings and 300,000 ID cards. Awareness events were also held in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Jharkhand. Click here to read more.

Need to reduce the OOPE among breast cancer patients Need to reduce the OOPE among breast cancer patients Content Editor: Dr Sathya Prashaath February 8, 2024 The Lancet Breast cancer, Health Economics Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women worldwide , and it poses a significant economic burden on patients and health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. A recent study published in The Lancet examined the cost of breast cancer treatment, out-of-pocket payment, and reimbursement in a cohort of 429 patients who sought treatment at a publicly funded tertiary cancer care hospital in India. The study found that the average total cost of breast cancer treatment was ₹258,095 (US$3531), of which 72.2% was paid out-of-pocket by the patients. The study also revealed that only 8% of the patients received full reimbursement and that the reimbursement from various sources was insufficient to prevent high out-of-pocket payments. The study suggested that there is a need to increase the insurance coverage and the reimbursement limits for breast cancer treatment in India, as well as to include cancer treatment in social health insurance schemes, to reduce the financial hardship of cancer patients. The study is the first to longitudinally capture the costs incurred by patients undergoing breast cancer treatment in India, and it provides valuable insights for health policy and planning.

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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