Government advises against the use of antibiotics in cases of COVID-19 Government advises against the use of antibiotics in cases of COVID-19 Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh April 3, 2023 Times of India, Delhi Public Health Laws and Regulation Government of India on 1st of March advised against the use of antibiotics unless required , amid a spike in COVID-19 cases across the country. The health ministry has shared an updated guideline on Covid management which says that antibiotics should not be used unless there is 'clinical suspicion' of bacterial infection. The guideline advises physicians to explore the possibility of co-infection of Covid with other endemic infections and to avoid using steroids in mild diseases. Though hospitalizations due to Covid are lower compared to the previous waves of the pandemic, the number of infections has surged significantly across the country.

The curious case of Salmonella outbreak The curious case of Salmonella outbreak Content editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy August 25, 2023 Centre of Disease Control Outbreak, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Communicable disease The CDC and public health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella across 11 different states in the United States of America. The variants of Salmonella involved are S. stanley and S. pomona. As of August 18th, a total of 26 individuals had been infected, with 24 of them infected with S. stanley and only 2 with S. pomona. These outbreaks have been linked to small turtles with shell sizes under 4 inches. Due to a similar history in the past, the sale and distribution of these turtles have been banned however, these have been found online illegally. The CDC has issued a list of dos and don'ts related to the same, which includes: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water Play safely around the turtle Do not eat//drink around the turtle Do not snuggle/kiss the turtle Call your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of salmonella.

Prevalence and reporting of harassment in specialist branch: Findings from a study Prevalence and reporting of harassment in specialist branch: Findings from a study Content Editor: Dr. Prachi July 23, 2024 JAMA Network Open Sexual harassment, Research findings, Mental health Despite being female-dominated fields, the prevalence of sexual harassment, bullying, abuse, and discrimination among OB-GYN clinicians and trainees was not known. The study tried to find interventions to reduce harassment in OB-GYN and other surgical specialties. The findings of the study were: OB-GYN field shows high rates of harassment - sexual harassment (27.6-70.9%), workplace discrimination (57.0-67.2% for women, 38.5% for men), and bullying (52.8%). The study saw low reporting rates, between 8.4 and 12.5% for clinicians and 32.6% for trainees. 25.1% of medical students reported mistreatment during OB-GYN rotations. The main perpetrators were physicians (30.1%), other trainees (13.1%), and OR staff (7.7%). The interventions studied were limited, mainly targeting medical students. Some interventions improved bias recognition and reporting . However, no interventions significantly decreased sexual harassment frequency . This study highlighted that more research is needed on effective interventions for all levels of OB-GYN practitioners. Click here to read more.

FAME India - How is the uptake of Electric Vehicles in India? FAME India - How is the uptake of Electric Vehicles in India? March 5, 2023 National Mission on Electric Mobility Electric Vehicle, E-Automobile Electric vehicles are one of the solutions to the problem of air pollution . The government adopted Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME 2015) schemes to achieve a goal of reaching 30% EV penetration by 2030. Over 2 lakh electric vehicles were sold in India, with 107 lakh liters of fuel saved , 2 crore carbon dioxide reduction (in kgs), and around 3k crore rupees investment in EV startups have been achieved. To spur the production and consumption of EVs and charging infrastructure - income tax rebates of up to INR150,000 for customers on interest paid on loans to buy EVs, an outlay of rupees 10,000 crores for phase 2 of FAME (2019) , and states also launched their EV policy. Rollouts of charging facility points , education on EVs to clear the doubts of the customer, incentives for the exchange of old vehicles , and piloting EV corridors across National highways will gear the penetration further.

USDA launches probe into mysterious disease affecting dairy cows Content Editor: Dr. KH Reddy April 1, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM One health, Avian flu, Livestock, Public health A H igh P athogenic A vian I nfluenza V irus [HPAI] is under epidemiological investigation in the US. So far, tests reveal that it is a H5N1 subtype virus and wild birds are the source. The USDA has called upon all dairy farmers to monitor vigilantly and promptly contact a vet if they find any viral symptoms in their livestock, like Decreased milk production Loss of appetite Fever Altered consistency of manure As of March 29, 2024, no human transmission has been reported. The USDA also clarified that milk and meat were safe for consumption after pasteurization and proper cooking. Click here to read more Previous Next

Higher prevalence of Dementia in India: LASI Content Editor : Dr. Ranjitha R March 11, 2023 at 3:07:04 PM Research finding, dementia, LASI, Geriatric health. A study done using the sample of LASI (Longitudinal Aging Study in India) estimated the prevalence of Dementia among the elderly (>60 years) to be 8.44% - equating to 10.08 million people in the country . The subsample of LASI participants received an extensive cognitive assessment, clinical rating, and diagnoses of dementia . A semi-supervised machine learning model was developed to predict the status of dementia among participants without a diagnosis. Dementia was higher among participants who were females, lived in rural areas , and received no education. This study helps in making the long-term plan and social care policy. Previous Next

Center gives green signal to launch the e-buses schemes. Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay September 11, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Climate change, green transportation, Sustainability The Union Cabinet's approval of the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme is a significant step towards promoting green mobility in India. The scheme aims to operate 10,000 electric buses in 100 cities, with priority given to cities lacking organized bus services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted its potential to rethink accessibility in cities, boost transport capacity and quality, and create job possibilities. The scheme will be funded through a Rs 57,613 crore Public Private Partnership model, with the Centre contributing Rs 20,000 crore and the states covering the remaining. Financial aid will be provided based on per kilometer traveled for ten years, with the Centre supporting power facilities, too. Around 45,000 jobs are expected to be generated through this initiative. The scheme targets 100 cities with a population of 3 to 40 lakh , chosen via a competitive selection process. Buses will be provided as per population density. Additional e-buses and support for multipurpose amenities, common mobility cards, and charging systems are among the incentives available to communities that retire outdated buses. Previous Next

India's $16 Billion Economic Burden of Suicide: A Call for Urgent Policy Action Content Editor: PHC Editor November 4, 2024 at 5:47:33 PM Suicide, Economic Burden, India, Suicide Prevention A 2019 study reveals India's economic burden of suicide to be over $16.7 billion , with a significant impact on young adults aged 20-34, who account for 53% of this cost. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra alone contribute nearly 45% of this burden, reflecting high suicide rates and economic loss. The financial toll on females was notably higher than males in 20 Indian states and Union Territories, underscoring gendered vulnerabilities. The study calls for intersectoral efforts across finance, youth, and rural development ministries to reduce the suicide burden. Emphasizing the cost of inaction, the authors advocate for strengthened funding and interventional strategies under India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS). Previous Next

World AMR awareness week 2023 Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary November 23, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Antimicrobial Resistance, WHO With almost 5 million deaths annually attributed to bacterial infections and inadequate investment in new antimicrobials, the WHO identifies AMR as a top global health threat. World AMR Awareness Week, scheduled for November 18–24, emphasizes the crucial actions required to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with the theme of “preventing antimicrobial resistance together.” AMR arises when microorganisms no longer respond to medicines designed to treat them, leading to increased disease spread and mortality risks. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human health and food production drive AMR. Despite 93% of countries having AMR national action plans (NAPs), only 27% have budgeted plans, revealing a need for enhanced governance, leadership, and financial support. The WHO's Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) antibiotic book (published in December 2022) aims to optimize global antimicrobial use. The World AMR Awareness Week advocates collaborative efforts to protect antimicrobials and public health. Additionally, the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting in September 2024 will urge countries to make bold commitments to address AMR. Previous Next

The Impact of an Inflatable Colon Exhibit on Colorectal Cancer Awareness The Impact of an Inflatable Colon Exhibit on Colorectal Cancer Awareness Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay September 25, 2024 Center For Disease Control Colorectal cancer, Research study, international health news The research evaluated the impact of an inflatable colon exhibit on colorectal cancer (CRC) knowledge and screening intentions among 940 men at two state fairs in the Midwest in 2023. Using an observational cohort design, participants completed a presurvey, walked through the inflatable colon, and then completed a postsurvey. The surveys assessed changes in both actual and perceived knowledge of CRC and intentions to undergo screening. Results revealed a notable improvement in understanding key CRC concepts, such as the role of polyp removal in cancer prevention. Men over 45 had higher factual knowledge but lower perceived awareness. A majority (95.4%) found the exhibit to be an effective educational tool. The study concluded that community-based efforts, like the inflatable colon, are effective in boosting CRC knowledge and encouraging screening. It highlights the importance of using state fairs and similar events to reach underserved groups and promote early cancer detection. Click here to read more