Health

Raising superbugs

Poultry farms are reservoirs of multi-drug resistant bacteria and play a major role in their spread, shows the latest CSE study

Health

Is scrub typhus the likely cause behind Gorakhpur tragedy?

Media reports suggest that the deaths could be due to scrub typhus, a disease cause by Orientia tsutsugamushi, a rickettsial group of bacteria

Health

For a good night's sleep

Most urban Indians dread bedtime. Sleep disorders ensure that 93 per cent of the people living in cities don't sleep well or worse, are not able to sleep at all. What is causing us to lose sleep?

Health

Tracking decades-long endosulfan tragedy in Kerala

Down To Earth takes a look at one of the worst and longest-running pesticide poisoning episodes in India and how it culminated with the Supreme Court ordering compensation for victims

Health

Dying too soon or living long with disability

The Lancet report on state of the world's health identifies key drivers of ill health, disability and death in countries to help governments identify national health challenges

Health

Are we losing the war on dengue, chikungunya and mystery fever?

Be it heavy breeding, unplanned construction or possible virus mutation, the dengue and chikungunya cases have spiraled out of control this year. Emergence of mystery fever makes the situation worse

Health

When superstition gets under the skin

In Africa, people living with albinism are perceived as ghosts and live with constant fear of being killed. Down To Earth talks to those who sensitise the world about this medical condition

Health

Hepatitis C: India has failed to tackle the deadly disease

Chronic HCV infection accounts for 12-32 per cent of liver cancer and 10-20 per cent of cirrhosis cases in India. Most people with chronic Hepatitis B or C are unaware of infections and are at serious risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer

Health

Diagnose the discord

Latest data shows that cancer is rising sharply in India. It's time we understood the intriguing facts from cancer registries to frame a more nuanced control strategy

Health

Highlights of 2016 UNICEF report on the state of the world's children

The UNICEF report, titled The State of the World's Children 2016, makes startling revelations on prevalence of inequity in child health, education and poverty. Here are the major takeaways from the report

Health

Shifting diets can help bridge food gap; reduce pressure on land, water and climate: report

The proposed diet shifts target countries that currently consume, or are projected to use by 2050, high amounts of calories, protein or beef.

Health

Childhood stunting affects future success in life, say experts

According to a study, stunting causes physical and neurocognitive damage that is irreversible in most cases

Health

A bite of cancer?

A CSE study has found residues of potassium bromate and/or iodate in many types of bread. The additives have been banned by many countries for their potentially adverse health effects

Health

World Health Day: Diabetes, the modern killer

The prevalence of diabetes in adult population has nearly doubled since 1980 rising from 4.7 per cent to 8.5 per cent

Health

Zika-the new global pandemic

After dengue and chikungunya, the Aedes mosquito is delivering a new emergency— Zika. Down To Earth looks into the reasons behind the spread and the threat the virus holds

Health

World Cancer Day: 'Toxins in the environment are a major problem'

With the rise in the number of cancer cases reported in India every year, prevention and affordable treatment will become critical in battling the disease

Health

Dengue spreads its wings

Unusual weather pattern with long dry spells in the rainy season and lack of preparedness on the part of government were to blame for the outbreak 

Health

Why dengue is not the devil

Lack of preparedness in our fight against this vector-borne disease is much to blame for it spreading fast 

Health

What ails Punjab?

It will be a challenge for the new government in Punjab to tackle increasing burden of disease that’s plaguing the state

Health

Will India get freedom from open defecation?

Skyrocketing numbers on government websites project a doubtful picture of what has been achieved in one year. Read our Independence Day special

Health

Cough resistance

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in India is plagued by delayed diagnostics and inaccurate treatment procedures. An initiative in Manipur breathes some relief