The Association of Untreated Mental Health Problems with Alcohol and Tobacco use Among New York City Taxi Drivers The Association of Untreated Mental Health Problems with Alcohol and Tobacco use Among New York City Taxi Drivers Content Editor: Dr. Nivetha S July 17, 2023 Springer Mental Health, Tobacco use, Alcohol use #A cross-sectional study was conducted recently in New York among 1105 Taxi drivers to check if there was an association between untreated medical health condition and alcohol & Tobacco use, using Logistic regression modelling. #Evidently , there existed an association where the drivers with untreated mental health problems had 1.9X the odds of reporting current Tobacco use and 1.6X the odds of reporting current alcohol use( 95% confidence interval) than those without untreated health problems. #The need for timely screening of mental health problems among taxi drivers was certainly insisted

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. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

High heat in February can lead to possible wheat crisis in India High heat in February can lead to possible wheat crisis in India February 24, 2023 The Hindu Food security, National Food Security Act, FAO This could be the 2nd consecutive year where wheat yield may show negative growth. Last year due to high heat in March, wheat production was impacted. This year the temperature has started to increase even earlier than in 2022. Indian Council of Agricultural Research has advised farmers to look for yellow rust disease, which can affect the crop at higher temperatures. The government has already replaced wheat with rice in 11 states under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. The low central stockpile will also impair the government's ability to check the inflationary trend. The central government has also formed a committee to monitor the situation and issue advisories to farmers. According to experts, the late-sown varieties of wheat are likely to be impacted more. The situation can impact the central stockpile of wheat, which had already seen a fall due to low production last year, which can impact the public distribution system.

Global road safety leadership course 2024: Baltimore Global road safety leadership course 2024: Baltimore Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar June 25, 2024 John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Road safety, Public health course From May 12-24, 2024, the Global Road Safety Leadership Course (GRSLC) took place in Baltimore, hosted by the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP). This initiative, supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), brought together 61 participants from 20 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to engage in a comprehensive program focused on enhancing road safety. The course engaged in the Safe Systems approach, focusing on data systems, enforcement, and sustainable mobility. Highlights included insights from former Fortaleza Mayor Roberto Cláudio Bezerra and a car crash test at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Participants praised the course for its inspirational sessions and networking opportunities, promising to bring innovative road safety solutions to their home countries. Click here to read more.

Red flag on safety of eyedrops Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti November 22, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Drug safety, FDA The US Food and Drug Administration released a corporate announcement by Kilitch Healthcare India Limited on November 15, 2023. The announcement states that the company is voluntarily recalling adverse events reported by patients who have used any of its 26 different eye drops nationwide. The company has notified its distributors, wholesalers, and retailers to report any adverse events following the use of the eye drops, which have an expiration date of November 2023 to September 2025. As per the report, there has been an issue regarding sterilization during the manufacture of the products. Due to inadequate and ineffective sterilization, they carry the risk of spreading potential infections. Previous Next

“Aditi”: Narayana health unveils affordable surgical insurance “Aditi”: Narayana health unveils affordable surgical insurance Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif July 9, 2024 Social trends Health insurance, Universal health coverage, Unmet needs Addressing the unmet needs in India's healthcare , where 70 million surgeries are required but only 20 million are performed due to financial barriers, Dr. Devi Shetty, chairman of Narayana Health, launched the health insurance product 'Aditi' on July 1. The basic plan, with a premium of Rs 10,000 per year, covers a family of four where the eldest is 45 years old, offering Rs 5 lakh in treatment and Rs 1 crore in surgeries . The premium will vary based on the patient’s age and/or comorbidities. Unlike traditional insurance, the “Aditi" plan will initially cover elective procedures only within their hospital chain but can be used anywhere for emergencies. The focus is on providing managed care with minimal administrative hurdles, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience within the Narayana Health network. Dr. Shetty emphasized that no one will be denied coverage, regardless of their medical conditions.

Report on progress to end female genital mutilation Content Editor: Dr. Niharika March 26, 2024 at 3:04:53 PM Human Rights, Women Health, International Health News FGM assaults girls’ and women’s human rights , having lasting physical, psychosocial, and social consequences. On this International Women’s Day , a report released by WHO revealed that progress toward ending FGM remains slow to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to eliminate the practice. According to the report, more than 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM. It is most prevalent in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The most challenging aspect of eliminating this practice is that more and more girls undergoing FGM are under the age of 5 years , leaving little time for intervention. 4 in 10 of all the survivors of FGM are from conflict-affected areas- where population growth is fast, and education and health services are disrupted, making it more challenging to tackle FGM due to diversion of resources towards crises. However, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Egypt provide a ray of hope, with declining rates of FGM, and changing attitudes towards FGM. The report concluded that greater investment in services for girls and also a provision of laws and policies to safeguard their rights should be put in place to eliminate such practices . Way ahead : the eradication of FGM requires leaders and communities to make focused efforts to end gender-based discrimination, greater investment in services for girls and laws and policies to safeguard their rights and better track the prevalence of FGM through better quality data. Previous Next

A path analysis of mental health, socioeconomic position and oral health Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar October 26, 2024 at 7:44:11 PM Health Analysis, Integrated health, oral health Study sample consisted of 5682 adults, evaluated relationships between SocioEconomic status, dental health seeking behavior, oral health and mental health and how these are associated with oral health status. It was found that Socio-Economic status is directly associated with mental health and indirectly associated with self rated oral health status . Oral health behavior modified the relationship between Socio Economic Position and self rated oral health . It was also found that Socio Economic Position is linked to both mental health and oral health sharing common social determinants of health. It demonstrated a well fitting model that demonstrated association between SEP and mental health, oral health behaviors and dental treatment seeking were in turn associated with oral health. This provides evidence that oral health is a part of overall health and oral health and mental health are connected in multifaceted ways. Click here to read more. Previous Next

WHO issues first global guidelines to prevent catheter-related infections and reduce sepsis Content Editor: Dr. Sangya June 3, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM New updates, International guidelines, Antimicrobial Resistance The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first global guidelines aimed at preventing bloodstream infections caused by catheters placed in minor blood vessels during medical procedures. Poor insertion, maintenance, and removal practices carry a serious risk of causing local infections or sepsis. Catheter-related infections are a significant risk for up to 70% of inpatients, particularly those who are severely ill or have low immunity. Between 2000 and 2018, the average mortality from healthcare-associated sepsis was 24.4% , rising to 52.3% in ICU patients. Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are a major cause of these infections, contributing to millions of deaths annually. The new WHO guidelines include 14 good practice statements and 23 recommendations on health worker education, asepsis techniques, hand hygiene, and catheter management. WHO emphasizes implementing these practices to enhance healthcare quality and safety, aiming to reduce preventable infections and associated suffering globally Click here to read more. Previous Next