Tackling global antibiotic microbial resistance (AMR) Content Editor: Dr Tanya November 28, 2024 at 2:48:50 AM Antimicrobial Resistance, Clinical Trials With Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR ) on the rise , a lancet study predicts that about 39 million mortalities worldwide will occur due to superbugs between 2025 and 2050 unless appropriate measures are taken. The reasons behind the collapse of the pipeline of newer antibiotics include: Ineffective business models where inadequate funding hampers the ongoing research in the area. Newer antibiotics are deployed very conservatively to tackle AMR. Way forward: Push and pull incentivization of antibiotic-related studies where studies are funded in the early stages through “push incentives” while “pull incentives” help keep the manufacturers of these newer antibiotic afloat irrespective of sale of the drug in the market. Prohibiting the sale of over the counter antibiotics globally to tackle AMR Improving diagnostics to promote early detection of the type of micro-organism, so only relevant antibiotics are prescribed. Training of health personnel to advocate judicious use of antibiotics. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Emphasizing the role of sanitation in health: Insights from Swachhata Pakhwada Emphasizing the role of sanitation in health: Insights from Swachhata Pakhwada Content Editor: Dr. Anamika May 7, 2024 Press Information Bureau Health, Cleanliness, Sanitation, Hygiene Swachhata Pakhwada is a 15-day programme that has been conducted since 2016 to foster awareness and action toward a healthier and cleaner India. Prof. Shridhar Dwivedi, Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Head of Academics at the National Heart Institute, spoke about the link between health and sanitation at the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR ) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi during the program. He focused on a holistic approach to health with proper sanitation and a balanced lifestyle, giving equal importance to not only physical health but also mental and spiritual well-being. He also urged everyone to continue the healthy habits adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The director of the institute also reiterated the institute's commitment to making cleanliness a mission, aiming to rectify and enhance India's image as a clean nation Click here to read more.

Nasha mukt Bharath abhiyan Nasha mukt Bharath abhiyan Content Editor: Dr Prayag Khandelwal February 21, 2024 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Substance abuse, Mental health, Noncommunicable diseases The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) has the following objectives: Conducting Awareness generation programmes Focusing on higher educational Institutions, university campuses, and schools Identifying the dependent population by interacting with the community Emphasize the geotagged counseling and treatment spaces of hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Capacity building programmes for service providers The following steps have been taken by the ministry: Inauguration of 41 addiction treatment facilities The NMBA and DOSJE (Department of Social Justice and Empowerment), in collaboration with Brahma Kumaris, introduced NMBA awareness vehicles on February 14, 2024 Experience sharing videos and Online podcast series on YouTube

Epidemiological study of Mpox outbreak: Understanding the complexities of control Epidemiological study of Mpox outbreak: Understanding the complexities of control Content Editor: Dr. Sangya September 14, 2024 Center for Disease Control and Prevention International Health News, International Outbreak, Mpox In January 2023, a suspected mpox case in South Ubangi Province, DRC, was linked to cross-border travel from the Central African Republic (CAR). The index case, a man from Bangui, CAR, who frequently traveled between CAR and the DRC(Democratic Republic of Congo), fell ill with fever, headache, chills, and a rash after potential exposure to wildlife meat. He died in Mbaya General Reference Hospital nine days later. Contact tracing revealed two clusters: the first, linked to CAR, involved three symptomatic family contacts, with two testing positive for the MPXV genome. The second cluster, identified in the same hospital, included three suspected cases with no direct link to the first cluster but had temporal and spatial connections. Phylogenetic analysis of MPXV sequences from the clusters showed that all cases belonged to clade I a and were related to historical CAR cases, though direct links between CAR and DRC were inconclusive. The investigation also identified 109 suspected cases in the DRC from January to November 2023, with 56% confirmed positive for MPXV. The study underscores the complexity of managing mpox with zoonotic and human-to-human transmission dynamics, highlighting the need for improved regional surveillance, international cooperation, and addressing challenges like porous borders, disease stigma, and population displacement. 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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Stop diarrhea campaign 2024: To eliminate child deaths due to diarrhea Stop diarrhea campaign 2024: To eliminate child deaths due to diarrhea Content Editor: Dr. Prachi July 20, 2024 Press Information Bureau Diarrheal disease, Infectious diseases, Under-five The Union Minister launched the National Stop Diarrhoea campaign to achieve zero child deaths from diarrhea. The campaign will be of 2-month duration (July-August 2024), and distribution of ORS packets and zinc to under-5 children will be done. The key focus areas: Strengthening health infrastructure Increasing access to safe WASH services Enhancing nutritional programs Promoting hygiene education The initiative builds on previous efforts like Mission Indradhanush, the Rotavirus vaccine, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Ministers emphasized the importance of prevention, awareness, and healthcare worker engagement. The campaign involves collaboration with various ministries for comprehensive implementation. Click here to read more.

How has maternal mental health been following the COVID-19 pandemic? How has maternal mental health been following the COVID-19 pandemic? Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy April 18, 2024 Plos One Maternal health, mental health, COVID-19 Recently, a review was published on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of mothers and their caregivers. Two of the astounding effects of the pandemic are as follows: 1. The mental health crises 2. Stagnation or reversal of improvements in maternal mortality. It was reported that due to the pandemic, numerous healthcare providers engaged in providing maternal care fell ill, lost their lives, or left the profession. This significantly affected maternal care and thus had a great impact on maternal mental health. Despite the high burden, a 90% treatment gap exists in low and middle-income countries. Regardless of the mounting evidence, there is a lack of integration of mental health services with that of maternal care. Maternal health plays a significant role in child and family health, thus affecting the socioeconomic development of a country. The review envisions developing healthcare that is whole-person, family-centered, and context-responsive. Click here to read more

Drones slash medication delivery time in Lahaul & Spiti: 100 units in just 26 minutes Drones slash medication delivery time in Lahaul & Spiti: 100 units in just 26 minutes Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet Mohanty October 28, 2023 Indian Council of Medical Research Innovations in Health care Drones are becoming increasingly crucial in healthcare for delivering supplies to remote areas quickly. ICMR aims to streamline medical provisions' distribution from regional hospitals in Keylong to over eight primary health centers (PHCs) in the region. The inaugural flight successfully transported medications and diagnostic samples, significantly reducing the time compared to road transport. The drone swiftly covered 20 kilometers in just 26 minutes, a significant time reduction from the previous 120 minutes. ICMR plans to conduct more test flights in the coming days. This initiative is seen as a game-changer for healthcare in remote and challenging geographical areas. It also offers the potential to save lives in emergencies and challenging conditions. The research will provide insights into the utility of drones in these regions and whether they can complement traditional medical supply methods in difficult terrain. The project received support from state health authorities and local administrative officials.

A potential solution to morbidities associated with Rheumatoid arthritis. A potential solution to morbidities associated with Rheumatoid arthritis. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti May 11, 2023 Press Information Bureau Research findings, Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthropathy resulting in significant morbidity from pain and joint damage. Methotrexate , used as its treatment, contributes to significant side effects. Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST ) devised a new, cost-effective, safe drug delivery system. FDA-approved 9-aminoacridine (9AA) combined with Caffeic acid (CA) in a nano micelle formulation showed a marked reduction in the severity of rheumatoid arthritis by its enhanced anti-inflammatory effects on an experimental model. Human trials are pending before we have a potential solution in the future.

Action plan for mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors Action plan for mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors Content Editor: Dr. Prachi June 12, 2024 Food and Agriculture Organization One Health, Biodiversity, Agriculture sector This year’s theme for International Day for Biodiversity is “Be Part of the Plan” - a call to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework . FAO is an integral part of this plan and launched its 2024–27 Action Plan for the Implementation of the FAO Strategy on M ainstreaming B iodiversity A cross A gricultural S ectors. This includes FAO’s Biodiversity Knowledge Hub and supporting countries in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Currently, three FAO -led projects support Indigenous Peoples in conserving and sustainably using biodiversity. According to the FAO, “Biodiversity is the potential food diversity in the future ”; hence, conserving and sustainably using biodiversity, with uncertain climate change, has become essential for food security and nutrition. Click here to read more.