Government backtracks on decision to have bigger pictorial warnings on tobacco products

Health activists and experts believe the government has succumbed to pressure from industry

Tax hiked on tobacco products for human and fiscal health

Economic cost of diseases caused by tobacco is 12 per cent more than the money spent by Centre and state together on healthcare in India, says a study

Palliative care not available for majority in developing countries: WHO

Only 20 countries across the world have palliative care well integrated into their health-care systems, says report

WHO expresses concern over MERS, urges countries to act

A considerable number of pilgrims travel from India to Mecca-Madina for Haj every year and get exposed to the deadly virus

USFDA proposes ban on trans fats in processed foods

The limit set by India is much higher than that set by many other countries

Ebola enters Mali, nearly 10,000 affected globally till now

With this, Mali has become the sixth West African country to be affected in the world's most deadliest outbreak of Ebola

Tax sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce obesity and diabetes, says study

On an average, diabetes is responsible for two per cent of total deaths in India

Millions still lack access to essential health services, says WHO report

Lack of universal health coverage pushed people into extreme poverty in 37 countries

WHO calls for efficient strategies to curb alarming growth in cancer incidence

Middle-income and poor countries account for more than 60 per cent of the world’s total cancer cases and 70 per cent cancer deaths

Bedaquiline to be used in TB treatment, but with caution

Final phase trials of drug pending; World Health Organization issues guidelines on interim use

3.3 million people died of excessive drinking in 2012: WHO report

Alcohol consumption rising in Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions, stable in Europe, Americas and Africa

Short-term hormone therapy raises ovarian cancer risk

Researchers say these findings will have implications for international guidelines on Hormone Replace Therapy

Vitamin C could be panacea for drug-resistant TB

Vitamin triggers reaction which eventually kills off bacteria; could help shorten drug therapy

WHO sets emissions standards for reducing indoor air pollution

4.3 million global premature deaths around each year attributed to illnesses caused by household air pollution

Gujarat's Chirajeevi Yojana fails to deliver

US$ 32 million given to private healthcare sector under the scheme to improve maternal and child health, but childbirth-related complications …

Book launch becomes platform to debunk studies on health risks of cell phone towers

IIT professor and international expert say fear around mobile technology is unscientific

India among worst performers in maternal and child health

Report also mentions that one-third of child deaths occur in South Asia

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