WHO’s latest 2024 Mental Health report highlight increasing prevalence and critical gaps WHO’s latest 2024 Mental Health report highlight increasing prevalence and critical gaps Content Editor :Dr. Sudeep September 21, 2025 World Health Organization Mental Health The WMHT introduces some surprising findings including that globally, over 1 Billion people (>1 out of every 8 people) continue living while having a mental health condition, often silently and without any consultation/treatment. Mental health conditions have consistently become a leading cause of disability and their burden continues to increase every year. Yet, the challenges to diagnose, the cost of financing and the high quality standards needed means the majority of nations lag behind in providing mental care to their population. Suicides have become the 3rd leading cause of all deaths among all 15-29 years globally, and is 2nd leading cause of death in young women and 3rd for young men. Surprisingly, >56% of all suicides happen <50 year old and about 3 out of every 4 suicides globally (~73%) occur in Low and middle income countries (LMIC’s). Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of disability globally, and also impose high costs on households, employers and economies. Persistent shortages of financial resources, skilled workers and quality services leave countries unable to meet population needs. For further reading, click here

FSSAI’s proposal: Empower, educate and promote health FSSAI’s proposal: Empower, educate and promote health Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy July 23, 2024 Press Information Bureau Nutrition, Noncommunicable disease, Public health The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI ) approved a proposal that aims to empower consumers to make healthier decisions . The proposal includes the following: To increase the font size of labels on packed food. To display information concerning total sugar, salt, and saturated fats in bold letters . It will include the percentage of the food item's total sugars, saturated fats, and salt that contributes to the RDA per serve. This move will also contribute to the ongoing efforts to address the risk of NCDs . This proposal will increase the consumer's knowledge of nutrients and promote public health and well-being. Click here to read more.

FSSAI streamlines food standards: one Certification, many benefits FSSAI streamlines food standards: one Certification, many benefits Content Editor: Dr. Kishore February 28, 2024 Press Information Bureau FSSAI, Food safety regulation, Public Health Nutrition FSSAI eliminates the need for BIS or AGMARK certification , streamlining the certification process for food businesses. Revision of milk fat products standards ensures quality and safety in dairy products consumer preferences. Revision of milk fat product standards will ensure the quality and safety of dairy products . Haleem, a popular dish, received standardized regulations under meat product standards, enhancing consumer trust. The comprehensive compliance manual provides guidelines for regulatory adherence, promoting transparency and accountability. Stakeholder feedback was invited before finalizing amendments, ensuring inclusivity and consensus-building in the high-level meeting. Click here to read more.

Our minds, our rights- World mental health day 2023 Our minds, our rights- World mental health day 2023 Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy November 1, 2023 WHO Campaigns WHO, Mental health, Global health, Public health, Human rights World Mental Health Day this year also marks the 75th anniversary of the WFMH foundation in 1948. This day is a chance for everyone to come together to increase understanding and awareness and to motivate actions that support and reinforce mental health as a fundamental human right for everyone. WHO persists in its efforts to promote and protect mental well-being and stresses urgent action to ensure quality mental healthcare is available to all those who need it. On this occasion, the WFMH secretary general remarked that despite continued campaigns by international and regional organizations, stigma and stereotypes persist in the community, leading to pervasive human rights violations of individuals with mental health disorders. To end this, efforts to invest in and transform mental healthcare facilities need to be doubled.

Breaking the Ice: Global Leaders plans to Unveil Cooling Pledge at COP28 Breaking the Ice: Global Leaders plans to Unveil Cooling Pledge at COP28 Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay November 24, 2023 UNEP News Section Environment, COP28, Climate change A "cooling pledge" is set to be announced at COP28. This aims to cut cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050. However, given their increasing demand for air conditioning, there is still uncertainty regarding which countries will commit to this pledge. Current cooling methods contribute over 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to the pollutants emitted from electricity required for devices like ACs and fans. The United Nations warns that without intervention, emissions from air conditioning and refrigeration could surge 90% above 2017 levels by 2050. The Global Cooling Pledge calls for a 68% reduction in cooling-related emissions globally by 2050 compared to 2022 levels. Global climate talks in Dubai from November 30 are expected to address: Fossil fuels' future Increased use of renewable energy Funding for adaptation in the developing world.

04. Operationalizing One Health in G20 countries - recommendations from WHO 04. Operationalizing One Health in G20 countries - recommendations from WHO December 25, 2022 WHO - Departmental news One Health One Health High-Level Expert Panel from WHO helped identify seven recommendations for countries to scale up this integrated approach: 1. Raise awareness and advocacy for OH priorities 2. Identify gaps and opportunities 3. Improve OH governance 4. Support OH funding or investment 5. Use the OH Joint Plan of Action as a blueprint for action 6. Implement the OH approach in all relevant policies 7. Facilitate OH research, knowledge and capacity

Zoonotic Kyasanur Forest disease virus calls for attention Zoonotic Kyasanur Forest disease virus calls for attention Content Editor: Dr.KH Reddy February 22, 2024 Social trends One health, zoonotic, disease outbreak, public health, KFD The number of deaths due to KFD in the last 67 years since its identification is found to be around 560. But KFD cases have spiked since January and claimed two lives already in 2024. The rising cases of KFD are mostly concentrated in Shivmogga, Uttar Karnataka, and Chikmagalur districts of Karnataka. The case count from Jan 1 of this year to Feb 18 is 103, among which two died. The disease currently has no vaccine and no cure and is managed only symptomatically. The case fatality rate to date is 1.94. KFD can be diagnosed using RT-PCR, ELISA, or cell culture. The Karnataka government is currently providing free hospitalization and treatment for those positive with KFD. The Health Ministry of Karnataka is also looking into research for developing a vaccine to prevent this disease in those at risk.

FDA approves first Nasal Spray for Emergency Allergic Reactions Content Editor: Dr. Shayari September 17, 2024 at 4:33:33 PM Allergy Management , FDA The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Neffy, a novel epinephrine nasal spray, for the treatment of emergency allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. This marks a significant advancement in the management of severe allergies, offering an alternative to traditional injectable epinephrine. Key Features of Neffy include: It is approved for adults and children who weigh at least 66 lbs. The FDA fast-tracked the approval based on studies showing comparable levels of epinephrine in the blood after using the spray or injection. Neffy is administered with a single spray in one nostril, with a second dose recommended if symptoms don't improve. Possible side effects include throat irritation, tingling in the nose, and headaches. The FDA's announcement emphasizes the crucial need addressed by neffy, as individuals, particularly children, often delay seeking emergency treatment due to a fear of injections. Click here to read more Previous Next

Persistent menace of Polio virus: Updates from WHO's Polio IHR emergency committee Persistent menace of Polio virus: Updates from WHO's Polio IHR emergency committee Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy May 25, 2023 World health organization, News Global health, Public health laws, Polio eradication, Vaccine derived polio, Immunization coverage A significant decline in the genetic variety of wPV was seen in Pakistan and Afghanistan and Africa. Meanwhile, the international spread of cVDPV is still persistent , despite the steady fall in both the number of patients and the number of circulating lineages. Weak immunization systems further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Inaccessibility to vaccines, population displacement, limited immunization coverage, and immunity gap contribute to the ongoing transmission of Polio. Considering the current scenario, the committee agreed that the risk of global transmission of wild poliovirus and cVDPV remains a Public health emergency of international concern and thus recommended extending the temporary recommendations for a further three months .