Delhi heatwave claims lives: Men over 40 most affected Delhi heatwave claims lives: Men over 40 most affected Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal July 3, 2024 Social trends Heat stroke, Global warming, Environmental Health During the past two weeks, as a severe heatwave engulfed the capital, hospitals in Delhi, both central and city-run, have seen at least 90 deaths of patients suffering from heatstroke. Hospitals reported a surge in heatstroke deaths, with the majority of fatalities being men over 40. Alarmingly, at least 132 people arrived dead within a four-day period (June 18-21). Health officials are reviewing post-mortem reports (including those of homeless patients) to see if pre-existing conditions played a role in the heatstroke deaths. Since March, there have been 90 cases of heat stroke and 29 deaths documented at the center-run Safdarjung Hospital alone. Heat-related morbidity and mortality have disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, which include the following: Construction workers Sweepers Daily wage laborers The elderly Women, and children The most vulnerable areas hit by this heatwave include: Urban slums Areas with decreased access to water and sanitation.

New CEO appointed for NITI AAYOG New CEO appointed for NITI AAYOG February 22, 2023 Times of India Policy Institutions, System strengthening, Niti Aayog A 1987-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, Shri. BVR Subrahmanyam belongs to Andhra Pradesh and holds an engineering degree has been appointed as the new CEO of NITI AAYOG. Shri. Subrahmanyam replaced Shri. Parameswaran Iyer, who has been made the Executive Director of the World Bank. Past CEO's of NITI AAYOG : Shri. Sindhushree Khullar -the first chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog (Jan 2015 - Feb 2016) Shri. Amitabh Kant (Feb 2016 - June 2022) Shri. Parameswaran Iyer (July 2022 - Feb 2023) 4. Shri. BVR Subramanyam (Present)

Hepatitis E outbreak in Chad, reports say 2092 suspected cases, including seven deaths Hepatitis E outbreak in Chad, reports say 2092 suspected cases, including seven deaths Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar May 25, 2024 WHO International news section Disease Outbreak, International Health Two health districts in Ouaddai province, Adre and Hadjer-Hadid, reported a total of 2092 suspected cases, including seven deaths, between January 2 and April 28. Ninety-five percent of these came from seven camps and transit locations for refugees. There were 27 pregnant women among the suspected cases, and the age categories most afflicted were 18–59 (representing 23.9%) and 6–17 (53.2%). Hepatitis-E cases have been documented from camps in the Ouaddai district of eastern Chad that house Sudanese refugees and returnees from Chad. In the impacted districts, response efforts are underway with assistance from UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, MSF Spain, MSF Switzerland, and WHO. The activities include epidemiological surveillance, laboratory confirmation of cases, Infection prevention and control, Water, sanitation and hygiene(WASH), risk communication and community engagement (RCCE). MSF Switzerland and WHO have educated community health professionals to assist with response efforts. 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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Contaminated water crisis: Three dead, 76 ill Contaminated water crisis: Three dead, 76 ill Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi June 22, 2024 Social trends Water contamination, Drinking water The residents of the Phoop area in the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh have asserted that three people have died because of the consumption of contaminated water . Additionally, 76 individuals have also been ill due to the same reasons. Piped water most likely became tainted when installing new electrical poles next to a nearby drain. According to sources, the earthwork equipment probably damaged the residential water supply pipe , allowing drain water to leak and contaminate the water line. The residents were the worst impacted, particularly in Wards Nos. 5, 6, and 7, where the tainted water was given on Monday. The health department sent out a notice when the patient count rose. According to the collector, patients have received ORS and any necessary medications, and they are monitoring the impacted wards.

Ban on raw egg mayonnaise: Telangana government's proactive measure to control the outbreak Ban on raw egg mayonnaise: Telangana government's proactive measure to control the outbreak Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala November 6, 2024 Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana, Social trends Food Safety, Food Poisoning, Public health Laws Following a fatal incident of food poisoning caused by mayonnaise from a street food vendor, resulting in the death of a 33-year-old woman and the illness of 20 others, the Government of Telangana has implemented significant safety measures. Citing Section 18 (1) (f) of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, which empowers the Commissioner of Food Safety and the Food Authority to ban foods posing significant health risks based on the severity and nature of harm, the government issued a one-year prohibition on October 30th against the production, storage, and sale of mayonnaise made with raw eggs . Mayonnaise prepared by emulsifying raw egg yolk with oil poses a risk of contamination with harmful microorganisms , including Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause potentially life-threatening food poisoning. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has inspected over 200 establishments, including hotels, hostels, and street food shops, issuing notices to 170. Additionally, the government plans to introduce three new food testing laboratories and five mobile testing units , with a combined capacity to test over 24,000 food samples annually.

Combination therapy a life saver - for Severe Scrub Typus: INTEREST Trial Combination therapy a life saver - for Severe Scrub Typus: INTEREST Trial Content Editor : Dr. Ranjitha R March 7, 2023 The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Scrub Typhus, Infectious disease, Evidence Based Medicine Scrub Typhus, a zoonotic bacterial infection presents as an acute febrile illness if untreated and can reach severe disease in 70% of patients. Severe disease can lead to prolonged hospitalization and even lead death due to multiorgan dysfunction and shock. A Randomized Controlled Intravenous Treatment for Scrub Typhus (INTREST)Trial done across seven sites in India revealed that combination therapy is superior to monotherapy with IV doxycycline or azithromycin. In the trial, patients with severe disease received in-hospital, 7-days, IV Doxycycline (200 mg BD on day 1, then 100 mg BD) , and Azithromycin (500 mg BD on day 1, then 500 mg OD ) as a combination therapy . The incidence of complications of scrub typhus and composite primary outcome event (persistent complications by day 7) is better i.e., lesser in combination therapy. Faster bacterial clearance is achieved in both azithromycin and combination therapy. For further reading - Click here

A new strategy for PPH management A new strategy for PPH management Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti May 12, 2023 The New England Journal of Medicine Maternal and Child Health, Research findings Post-partum Hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, responsible for 70,000 deaths yearly . The major challenge in PPH management is late detection and response , particularly in low and middle-income countries . A cluster-randomized trial conducted in four countries, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania , in partnership with the "WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Women's Health" at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, included more than 200000 participants . The study showed a 60% reduction in heavy bleeding compared to routine care using an E-MOTIVE package incorporating WHO -recommended treatment bundles for early detection and treatment of PPH.

Homeownership and its association with prevalence of chronic health conditions: Study findings Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet May 30, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Research finding, Chronic disease, Socioeconomic status Researchers analyzed data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, including 401,958 participants. They assessed the association between homeownership and self-reported diagnoses of diabetes, asthma, cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and kidney disease. Logistic regression was used to adjust for variables such as age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, employment, and income, computing odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results of the analysis are as follows: Influencing Factors: Age, marital status, education, and income significantly influenced homeownership. Odds of Homeownership: Increased with age, peaking at 17.45 (95% CI, 16.21–18.79) for adults aged 65 or older. Non-Hispanic White adults had the highest odds (OR = 3.34; 95% CI, 3.18–3.52). Chronic Health Conditions: Homeowners had a lower prevalence of chronic health conditions, especially among those aged 45 to 64 years. After accounting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, renters were more likely to have chronic health conditions compared to homeowners. The study reveals that- homeownership predicts the lower prevalence of several chronic health conditions . Public health initiatives should prioritize housing-related interventions to improve overall population health. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Global conclave: Highlighting the need for plastic recycling and sustainability Global conclave: Highlighting the need for plastic recycling and sustainability Content Editor: Dr. Dheenadhayalan V July 26, 2024 Press Information Bureau Waste management, Plastic management, Sustainability The four-day Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) was recently held at Delhi under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer. The event addressed a few critical issues, with a strong emphasis on intersectoral collaboration to curb the plastic pollution. These issues included : Plastic waste management Plastic recycling Plastic sustainability Currently, only 10% of the global plastic waste is recycled, leading to the increase in plastic pollution. The GCPRS showcased various sustainable recycling solutions and offered a platform for sharing these between the various stakeholders. This initiative is in line with our country’s zero waste goal . Click here to read more.