WHO published its World health statistics report 2025, revealing the deeper health impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on loss of lives, longevity and overall health and well-being. In just two years, between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years—the largest drop in recent history— reversing a …
In 2005, countries in WHO Western Pacific Region, including China, resolved to eliminate measles by 2012 or as soon as feasible thereafter. As of 2018, 92 of the 37 countries or areas in the Region had eliminated measles.China’s Measles Elimination Action Plan 2006–2012 included strengthening routine immunization, assessing the risk …
This new report published in the journal “ Lancet” says that the future of children around the world including India, is being threatened by ecological degradation and climate change and exploitative marketing practices that push heavily processed fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco at children. Despite dramatic improvements in …
India has the world’s highest reported number of annual road crash fatalities. According to the World Health Organization, road crash fatalities in India account for approximately 11 percent of the estimated 1.35 million global toll each year. Vulnerable road users, primarily pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheelers, account for almost 54 percent …
Road crash deaths and injuries in Nepal have been on a sharp upward trajectory since the early 2000s. In fiscal year 2017–18, 2,541 road deaths were officially reported in Nepal, which is equivalent to a fatality rate of 8.59 per 100,000 population. In the same period, 4,144 serious injury and …
High fatality and injury rates on Bangladesh’s roads are undermining the remarkable progress that this South Asian nation has made on boosting economic growth and reducing poverty. Estimates of annual deaths in road accidents range from 2,538 to nearly 10 times that—between 20,736 and 21,316, according to the World Health …
This week Kerala reported its third case of coronavirus, a student of a university in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the viral outbreak that has spread globally in less than a month. The student who hails from Kasargode is out of danger, and so are the other …
The World Health Organization (WHO) spells out the need to step up cancer services in low- and middle-income countries. WHO warns that, if current trends continue, the world will see a 60% increase in cancer cases over the next two decades. The greatest increase (an estimated 81%) in new cases …
Global cancer burden is still increasing and if current trends continue, the world will see a 60% increase in cancer cases over the next two decades warns WHO. But cancer control is effective says this report. It aims to set the global agenda on cancer, mobilize stakeholders and help countries …
This report lays out why overweight and obesity is a “ticking time bomb” with huge potential negative economic and health impacts, especially for the poor and people who live in low- or middle-income countries, dispel-ling the myth that it is a problem only in high-income countries and urban areas. Overweight …
The purpose of screening is to identify people in an apparently healthy population who are at higher risk of a health problem or a condition, so that an early treatment or inter¬vention can be offered and thereby reduce the incidence and/or mortality of the health problem or condition within the …
The number of deaths among children under the age of five has reduced by half since 1990. Yet over 5 million children are still dying every year from mostly preventable causes. Pneumonia is responsible for nearly 20% of these deaths and is the leading infectious cause of death in this …
While all pesticides can be dangerous when used in appropriately, highly hazardous pesticides are of particular concern due to the severe adverse effects they can cause to human health and the environment. Even though they constitute only a minor share of all authorized pesticides, they can cause the most harm. …
South Africa is one of the countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, 322,000 TB cases reported in South Africa in 2017. The highest TB incidence rates reported in Western Cape province in South Africa and reported rate was 938 per …
GUWAHATI: Eminent doctors of Assam and other North-Eastern States have come forward to fight against air pollution and to create awareness regarding the rising air pollution and its ill effects. Many renowned doctors joined hands at the launch event of Doctors for Clean Air at NEDFi House. It was led …
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Colistin is a “reserve” antibiotic, which means it is supposed to be considered a “last-resort” option in treatment and used only in the most severe circumstances, when all other alternatives have failed. The Health Ministry has ordered a ban on using antibiotic Colistin …
Hyderabad has 171th dirtiest air in the world. Hyderabad: According to a report published by IQAir AirVisual, 13 of the top 15 polluted cities across the world are from India. As per the study, Gurugram with its average AQI of 135.8 is the most polluted city in the world followed …
Diabetes, an increase in blood glucose levels, is an emerging health problem especially in developing countries. According to the World Health Organisation, India had 69 million diabetic individuals in 2015 and the number is projected to go up to 98 million by 2030. The problem is more serious for Asians …
Sri Lanka has made health history after spending three years free of any new measles cases (The Indian Express, July 10), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the deadly childhood infection has been eliminated in the island nation. In contrast, India has a long road ahead, particularly …
At least 32,987 Kenyans died of cancer in 2018 as revealed by a latest report on the extent the disease has ravaged the country. The report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that is affiliated to the World Health Organisation also stated there were 47,887 new cancer …
The UT Health Department is going to introduce rotavirus vaccine (RVV) in Routine Immunisation Schedule from July onwards. Rotavirus vaccine will be provided free of cost under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus and makes thousands of babies and young children sick every year. Vaccination …
