33 women still die every hour from pregnancy and childbirth complications: WHO

India among 10 nations with highest maternal mortality ratio; many poor countries likely to miss target set under Millennium Development Goal

Road accidents top reason for adolescent deaths: WHO

HIV/AIDS, suicide among other top causes. The good news is that rates of cigarette smoking are decreasing in 10-19 years age group in some countries

Should smallpox virus specimens be destroyed or retained?

World Health Assembly to take a call on two remaining specimens in upcoming meet even as some scientists urge against their destruction; two …

Unhealthy countryside

It was once associated with the rich and urban. Today, hypertension is fast spreading in rural India. This is a cause for concern because …

Dangers of letting cars dictate city design

If any other cause was responsible for so many deaths and injuries as we see on our roads it would have been a state of emergency

Progress in measles elimination has got stalled, says WHO

Developing countries mostly hit. More than 145,000 people died of the disease in 2013

‘Possible carcinogen’ bromate found in Mumbai’s packaged water

Study by BARC scientists stresses the need to define safe limits for by-products like bromate in bottled and drinking water in India

Breastfeeding week kicks off amid concerns over unlawful tactics by baby food companies

Health activists call for effective implementation of regulations that ban promotion of baby foods and feeding bottles for infants

Africa on its way to becoming a polio-free continent

It is likely that Nigeria will soon be removed by WHO from the list of countries where polio is endemic

Lagos takes action against violators to tackle noise pollution

State environmental agency LASEPA has shut 40 religious houses, industries and night clubs for contravening guidelines on pollution

New dengue vaccine provides ray of hope to India

CYD-TDV vaccine protected two out of three volunteers aged 9 years and older against dengue, finds study

South Korean prime minister declares ‘de facto end’ to MERS outbreak

MERS has infected 186 people in the country, killing 36

First malaria vaccine raises hope for millions living in high burden countries

The European Medicines Agency recognised the first ever malaria vaccine last week

Malaria-helping protein identified

By targeting the protein, pharma companies can develop a new drug to treat the disease and block its transmission

International food standards revised; safe limit for lead reduced

Codex standards now also contain a prescribed daily intake value of potassium, a mineral known to reduce the risk of heart disease

Few governments levy appropriate levels of tax on tobacco products, says WHO report

Evidence shows WHO’s recommendation to increase tax on tobacco products is the most effective way to curb its consumption

WHO issues notice to Chennai lab

Agency finds ‘critical’ lapses in clinical trial of HIV and Hepatitis B drugs

India’s smart cities will need smart transport

With many Indian cities set to become larger than most countries, both in terms of GDP and population, mobility should be high on agenda

Who fares best and worst on road safety across the world

Inequalities still persist in reproductive and child health care, says study

Despite the progress that many countries have made over past few years, inequalities remain a concern

Suicide one of leading causes of death among youth in developing countries

WHO calls for coordinated action to reduce such deaths worldwide

World Health Assembly focus on mental health

WHO action plan to strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health to be discussed

4.3 million deaths caused by household air pollution in 2012: WHO

Dire need of policy and guidance that can promote public health and environment, including healthier homes and healthier transport, says health …

WHO approves experimental Ebola drugs, Canada decides to donate 1,000 doses

The death toll in four West African countries affected by the deadly virus has topped 1,000

Ebola emergency: WHO spotlight on experimental drugs

On Friday, it was disclosed that three persons in New Delhi are being kept under watch for possible Ebola symptoms