Health

Nearly 1 billion people in low-and middle-income countries are living with avoidable vision loss, according to a new report on World Sight Day on Thursday, October 9.   The report by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) showed that most of this can be solved with some of the cheapest interventions: cataract surgery and glasses. IAPB works closely with the United Nations to work for eye care. The report, launched during the UN General Assembly, showed how India can benefit from prioritising eye health, urging everyone to love their eyes by getting an eye test. It noted that around 70 crore people in India are living with preventable sight loss, which affects employment, education, income and caregiving responsibilities. It suggested six simple, cost-effective ...

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday urged the need to prioritise our emotional and mental well-being and to open conversation about mental health.  World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. “Today, we observe World Mental Health Day, which reminds us to prioritise our emotional and mental well-being. This day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health,” Nadda said, in a post shared on the social media platform X. Based on this year`s theme, the Health Minister urged boosting mental health in times of humanitarian emergencies. He also called for increasing timely access to mental health services for all people. “This...

Indian professionals continue to be hesitant to make mental health conversations at work, over fear of being perceived as incapable and judged, according to a report on World Mental Health Day on Friday.  World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being and fight against the stigma surrounding it. The report by job portal Naukri, based on a survey covering 19,650 job seekers, showed that 31 per cent of employees feared voicing out mental health issues for the fear of being viewed as incapable. Nearly 30 per cent worried about being judged by colleagues, while 21 per cent reported fear of being dismissed as someone who makes excuses. Another 21 per cent believe it could impact their career growth. Nearly three out ...

Timely screening of eyes, a healthy diet, and control of screen time is important to prevent vision-related problems, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Sight Day on Thursday.  World Sight Day is held on the second Thursday of October, to raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment. This year, it is being celebrated on October 9. The theme this year is "Love Your Eyes". It focuses on self-care for vision, promoting regular eye checkups and preventive eye health practices to ensure access to quality eye care for everyone. “World Sight Day gives us a platform to raise awareness about the importance of good eye health and regular check-ups. Timely eye screening, a healthy diet, and protective habits can help prevent vision problems,” Nadda shared in a post on the social...

Poor air quality may not just be choking your lungs, it can also attack joints, leading to severe rheumatoid arthritis, experts said here on Thursday.  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, especially the joints, causing persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and disability. Traditionally linked to genetics and immune system dysfunction, RA is now increasingly being associated with environmental triggers like air pollution. Recent studies in Europe, China, and now India suggest that exposure to PM2.5 -- the dangerous fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs -- may be linked not only to heart and lung diseases but also to autoimmune disorders like RA. “We are observing a rise in cases of RA...

The last 10 years have seen a marked rise in incidence of mental health concerns in India such as anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disturbances, and burnout-related complaints. Younger adults, especially students and working professionals are particularly effected.  According to WHO estimates, nearly 1 in 5 Indians may experience some form of mental health concern in their lifetime, but actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting and stigma, believes Dr. (Prof.) Kunal Bahrani, who is the clinical director, Neurology, Marengo Asia Hospitals in Faridabad, ahead of World Mental Health Day. Every year, World Mental Health Day 2025 is observed on October 10 to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of one`s mental health.  Explaining the spike, Dr Bahrani adds, “A...

As Diwali approaches, the season brings indulgence and togetherness, along with the need to stay mindful about our health during the celebrations. While it is important to enjoy every bit of the festive season, it is also important to remember that we need to take care of our health.In Mitihara, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar draws from India’s timeless food wisdom to remind us that eating well is not about deprivation, but about rhythm, eating in tune with the seasons and the body’s natural needs. The audiobook, available on Audible, provides simple and actionable tips to stay healthy during the festive season. From sipping tulsi tea on chilly mornings to enjoying food the way nature intended, Rujuta brings awareness back to our kitchens, ensuring that Diwali is not just about gra...

Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act has led to an improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), with 917 females per 1,000 males recorded in 2021-23, said Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Monday, October 6.  Speaking at a National Sensitisation Meeting on Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, she highlighted the progress made in the SRB over the last decade. “The country has recorded a positive improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2023, the SRB has increased by 18 points -- from 819 females per 1,000 males during 20...

With growing importance on the need to take care of one`s health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines to help pregnant women worldwide. The new rules aim to help prevent, diagnose, and treat postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which causes excessive bleeding after childbirth, to millions of women across the globe. Women go through a lot during their journey in pregnancy, and with them facing so many different kinds of challenges, the need to help ease their pain is important. These maternal health guidelines, were co-published with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the International Confederation of Midwives, and further highlight the urgent need for earlier detection and faster intervention to prevent death among new mothers. PPH is ...

India has seen a remarkable success in control of leprosy, with a 99 per cent drop in prevalence rate per 10,000 population and 98 per cent reduction in cases under treatment over a span of 44 years, according to the government.   As per an official statement, India in 2025 had a prevalence rate of 0.57 per 10,000 population and 0.82 lakh patients on treatment. In stark contrast, the country in 1981 had a prevalence rate of 57.2 per 10,000 population and 39.19 lakh patients on treatment. Since March 2006, when the annual report confirmed a prevalence rate of less than 1 per 10,000 (0.84), there has also been a decline of 37 per cent in new case detection. Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. Symptoms include discoloured s...