International health agency warns of deaths due to climate change

In 2012, 7 million people died from air pollution-related diseases, making it the world’s largest single environmental health risk

WHO survey reveals public misunderstanding about antibiotic resistance

The revelation comes at a time when the World Health Organization is scaling up its fight against antibiotic resistance

Maternal mortality on a decline, but challenges remain

An earlier report had said that India accounts for the maximum number of maternal deaths in the world — 17 per cent or nearly 50,000 …

Processed meat carcinogenic to humans, says WHO agency’s study

IARC says red meat also has nutritional value, and hopes that the findings will help countries conduct assessments to provide the best possible …

Air pollution: WHO report identifies ways to mitigate health hazards

The report talks about ways to reduce the emission of short-lived climate pollutants

Climate change can’t be dealt without focus on public health, urge experts

The need to gather data to develop deeper understanding of health impacts of climate change was emphasised at a meet in Delhi

Delivering business

What the increase in caesarean operations worldwide tells us about the science and politics of birthing

Sharp drop in malaria cases, but three million people still at risk: WHO

The fastest rate of decrease in malaria was witnessed in Caucasus and Central Asia, which reported zero cases in 2014

South Asia accounts for over one-fourth of the world's hearing impaired: WHO

Only 32 of the 76 countries surveyed have plans and programmes to prevent and control ear diseases and hearing loss, says report

What makes your snack more appetising?

A recent study used food items with nutrients similar to those in potato chips to find out what encourages snacking

Climate impacts on health: most nations yet to evolve policy plans

Greater focus on preventative public health measures could ease pressure on health services and provide a more supportive environment for …

Drug resistance: treatable diseases have once again turned fatal, says WHO

Data from 114 countries show spread of the major public health threat; global collaboration needed for targeted solutions, says global health agency

WHO report calls for scientific research for universal health coverage

World Health Report pushes for research by every country according to local needs

Immunisation coverage reaches 84% globally, Africa and South-East Asia worst performers

Estimates short of goal of 90 per cent coverage for all vaccines by 2020

World Health Statistics 2015: some achievements, many concerns

Down To Earth highlights the world’s performance on health-related development goals, where our successes lie and where efforts are still a …

‘Out of control’ Ebola claims about 500 lives in west Africa

There is social stigma attached to the disease because of which people are believed to be hiding from health care workers

Political apathy, unplanned urbanisation make vector-borne diseases hard to control in India

Only 60 per cent of the total plan outlay for vector-borne diseases spent between 2007 to 2013; lack of co-ordination between ministries and …

WHO urges action against antibiotic resistance

Experts warn that without effective medicines, infections such as hospital-acquired ventilator-associated pneumonias, urinary tract infections …

Limited access to pesticides reduced suicides in Tamil Nadu villages: WHO report

In rural India, poisoning accounts for four in 10 suicides due to swallowing of pesticides

Clinical trials for first dengue treatment could start within a year

The dengue virus poses a grave risk to people in tropical and sub-tropical countries with an estimated 400 million getting infected globally each year

Under-five child mortality drops 53 per cent from 1990 to 2015: report

Despite progress, a large number of children are still dying due to preventable causes. Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia are the regions …

West African nations adopt new strategy to handle 'largest ever' Ebola outbreak

Better surveillance to detect cases of the virus and enhanced cross-border collaboration were the key recommendations 

WHO and Republic of Korea begin joint mission to review MERS

The epidemiological pattern of the virus in the country, its characteristics and clinical features, and public health measures implemented will …

WHO calls for worldwide use of 'smart' syringes

Up to 1.7 million people were infected with hepatitis B through an unsafe injection in a year, says UN body

Nearly 360,000 people in Gaza now suffer from mental health problems

There isn't a single family in Gaza that hasn't personally experienced death, injury, the loss of their home, says UN official