India must tackle high rate of obesity, diabetes: Global Nutrition Report of 2016
Report highlights the grim progress made by India in fighting obesity and non-communicable diseases
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 …
Dengue, another climate alert
It is clear that this variable weather is not a freak event, but points to the changes that are beginning to influence our monsoon lifeline
Ambulance emergency
India desperately needs timely and affordable transport for effective healthcare delivery
A plague on this country
The plague today holds the same threshold of dread that it did in the 14th century. So when the Black Death struck India late last month, the …
Decoding trouble
Researchers have decoded the genetic sequence of the bacterium responsible for cholera. This will aid in the development of new vaccines and …
Cry the beloved country
The fight against AIDS in Africa hinges largely on drugs becoming more affordable in poor nations
'Children of Gujarat's backward communities left out of vaccination drives'
Study shows untouchability and caste bias determine access to health care in rural areas
Bastar beyond Maoists: tale of a rich region and its poor people
The obsession with insurgents is so deep that no one is paying attention to health and education in this ancient and beautiful land
Training health workers can help manage hypertension in villages
Early detection and management of hypertension is necessary to prevent complications, but shortfall of trained health workforce, particularly in …
Trans Pacific squeeze
The Trans Pacific Partnership is a mega trade deal that closes the doors for India's trade options
Americans want low-cost, quality health care
Hillary Rodham Clinton, head of the US President's task force on health, has a tough task ahead in providing Americans with low-cost, quality …
Roots
Worldwide, traditional medicinal systems are in the process of being modernised. Besides health care and conservation of medicinal plants, the …
Coma after death
Child victims of a frayed medical service and a government programme gone wrong raise a mute question
"Asthma afflicts almost every house in Gorai"
Pramod N Bagud (PNB), a pediatrician, and Manoj K Ved (mkv), a general physician, practise in Gorai, an area infamous for a 15-hectare dumpsite …
Regulate stent prices to prevent exploitation of patients: health campaigners
While the government fixes the prices of stents, it must also take urgent action to investigate corrupt practices and overcharging
AI can dangerously misinform patients: WHO calls for policies for its safe, ethical use in healthcare
Unsafe use of AI can lead to people losing faith in the technology, thereby undermining its benefits
Drugs and cosmetics amendment bill withdrawn from Rajya Sabha
Newer areas like stem cells, regenerative medicines, medical devices and clinical trial cannot be effectively regulated under the existing law, …
The third wind
The new challenges before Japan require leadership from not just the government and the corporate sector but also the civil society
Health costs first
USEPA can now set stringent air quality standards only on the basis of health costs, not economic impacts
Union Budget 2020-21: Unremarkable for health sector
Allocation increased but just enough to offset inflation; new schemes criticised by experts
Primary health care, community health workers bag spotlight at WHA
The member states decided to implement Declaration of Astana and allocate adequate resources to support community health workers
25% healthcare centres lack water facilities, 20% sanitation facilities: WHO
The report highlights that each year 17 million women in least developed countries give birth in centres with inadequate facilities for water, …
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, …