Health

US health officials on Thursday greenlit a first-of-its-kind gene therapy to treat a rare form of hereditary hearing loss, a breakthrough which could pave the way for other such hearing impairment treatments. Two to three of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a hearing impairment, and it is estimated that more than half of these cases of early-onset hearing loss are caused by genetic mutations. Developed by the American biotechnology company Regeneron, the treatment known as Otarmeni targets a rare form of hearing loss which affects around 50 newborns a year in the US. It will be available for children and adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss caused by certain mutations in the OTOF gene, which encodes a protein critical for transmitting auditory signals from ...

High levels of ultraviolet radiation have been recorded across Kerala over the past 24 hours, the KSDMA said on Friday. As per data shared by the authority, UV levels above eight, warranting an orange alert, were reported at Konni in Pathanamthitta, Chengannur in Alappuzha, Changanassery in Kottayam and Munnar in Idukki. In addition, UV levels between six and seven, corresponding to a yellow alert, were recorded at 10 locations across the state. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn, skin diseases, eye problems and other health issues, the authority said. According to the advisory by Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, peak UV levels are usually recorded between 10 am and 3 pm, and people are urged to avoid direct sunlight exposure during these hours as much as possib...

At a time when post-baby bodies are still judged by how quickly they “bounce back”, Sucheta Pal, an advocate for women`s health, aims to have a conversation about health and fitness.  Following the success of her pioneering Mom.Bod.Strong programme, Pal has now embarked on The Mom.Bod.Strong Festival titled Rani Tour, which is said to be India`s first pan-city fitness and wellness experience built exclusively for active mothers.  Designed for mothers balancing ambition, family, health, and self, the festival tour brings a curated two-hour movement experience to five major Indian cities: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.  In India, structured maternal fitness and recovery frameworks are still largely overlooked, with most women navigating physical and hormonal changes w...

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar is known to give practical solutions to everyday food consumption. At a time when people are constantly concerned about their health, and are conveniently making their own decisions about their diet, she highlights the importance of iron and haemoglobin. In a post on Instagram, the celebrity nutritionist shares, "Anaemia is the biggest nutritional deficiency that we face as a country with 3 out of 4 women having low dietary iron intake. Fatigue, weakness, irritability, hair loss, menstrual discomfort, dull skin, are some of the common symptoms. A wholesome diet that is nutritious and diverse, helps prevent this and also keeps Hb levels in a good range. Here’s to good food and to a good life." In a video along with the post, Rujuta Diwekar recommends ...

Prioritising public health and patient safety, the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control, Rajasthan, has issued an alert regarding seven medicines and declared them “Not of Standard Quality” following laboratory testing conducted between April 1 and April 15, 2026, prompting immediate regulatory action across the state.  Acting on the findings, the Drug Controller has directed all Drug Control Officers across Rajasthan to immediately withdraw the identified batches from circulation and initiate strict action under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Commissioner Dr. T. Shubhamangala stated that the department conducts regular inspections, sampling, and quality surveillance to ensure that only safe, effective, and compliant medicines reach the public and healthc...

Pakistan has the world`s highest number of Hepatitis C (HCV) patients due to negligence and unchecked medical culture which enables more than 600,000 quack doctors to practice all over the country. Combined with Hepatitis B (HBV), 13.8-15 million Pakistanis are believed to be living with either virus and only 25-30 per cent people actually know about it, a report has highlighted.  "The healthcare system of Pakistan is currently in such a state that it sometimes punishes citizens for seeking treatment. Many people walk into a hospital seeking affordable medical care and, unbeknownst to them, walk out carrying a highly dangerous viral infection. More often than not, they find out too late. The reuse of syringes, unsafe blood transfusions and improper sterilisation practices are unfortunatel...

Kolkata doctors have successfully restored mobility in a 61-year-old woman from Dhanbad who had been bedridden with paralysis of both lower limbs for nearly 10 months. The patient, a known case of Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that causes the spine to become rigid and fragile, presented with a T10–T11 fracture with Anderson lesion, a highly unstable spinal injury affecting all three columns of the spine. Her condition had led to significant neurological compromise, with lower limb power reduced to 1–2/5, indicating minimal movement and severe weakness. Given her prolonged paralysis, associated muscle wasting, and extended immobility, the chances of neurological recovery were considered extremely limited, making this a highly complex and high-risk case when she ...

India has emerged as the global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence for personal health, with a striking 85 per cent of consumers already using AI-powered tools -- far ahead of major developed markets, a new report revealed on Tuesday.  According to a study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled “Consumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too,” Indian users are embracing generative AI at a pace unmatched globally. The report, based on a survey of over 13,000 consumers across 15 countries, highlighted how India’s adoption rate significantly surpasses that of the United States (50 per cent), the United Kingdom (43 per cent), and Japan (34 per cent). Globally, nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they already use AI for health-related purpos...

In the global landscape of neurodiversity, a profound silence often surrounds the experiences of women and girls. While awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is growing, the data in India reveals a troubling disparity.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the global prevalence of autism is approximately 1 in 36 children. However, in India, the diagnostic gap remains stark. Research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders indicates that for every four boys diagnosed with autism in India, only one girl is identified. Medical experts are now sounding a critical alarm: this 4:1 ratio is not a biological certainty—it is a diagnostic blind spot. While young boys may express their neurodivergence through outward disruption, young India...

India is facing a growing but underrecognised liver health crisis. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) affects between 9 per cent and 32 per cent of the population, impacting nearly one in three individuals, and is being recognised as a `silent epidemic`.  Liver-related medical conditions already contribute to over 66 per cent of total deaths, and rising treatment costs are making them an increasing financial burden.  While India has integrated NAFLD screening into its NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases) programme, this policy momentum must be complemented by stronger individual-level financial preparedness. On the occasion of World Liver Day, observed on April 19, Care Health ...