Health

With media reports citing cases of Covid-19 infections surging in Southeast Asia, bringing fresh fears about the disease that affected millions of people and the global economy, health experts on Tuesday dismissed them as seasonal trends of flu. As per media reports, the weekly Covid-19 infections in Singapore surged by 28 per cent from 11,100 in late April to 14,200 in the first week of May, with hospitalisations also rising 30 per cent. Hong Kong recorded 31 virus-related deaths in the week ending May 3, the city’s highest weekly toll in a year. New infections in Hong Kong rose to 1,042 in the week ending May 10, up from 972 the previous week. “Rising Covid cases in Southeast Asia are attributed to seasonal trends of flu cases. Most of the cases are mild and do not need any hospitalis...

Amid evolving workplaces, young professionals in India are increasingly experiencing stress, according to a new report on Tuesday. The report by ADP, a global technology company, highlights the shifting emotional landscape of work, where generational differences in stress levels are increasingly evident. The report showed that young professionals (aged 27-39) have the highest stress levels, with 11 per cent saying they experience high stress, above the national average of 9 per cent. Just 51 per cent of workers aged 18-26 reported better stress management. On the other, older workers (aged 55-64) reported better stress management, with 81 per cent saying they feel stress less than once a week. Work overload was found as the major trigger for younger employees -- 16 per cent of those ag...

A common but dangerous hospital superbug has been found capable of digesting plastic used in medical devices, posing a significant threat to patient safety globally, including in India. The bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is responsible for up to 30 per cent of hospital-acquired infections, a new study has found. Researchers at Brunel University London have discovered that P. aeruginosa, a multidrug-resistant pathogen, can break down polycaprolactone (PCL) -- a plastic commonly used in sutures, implants and other medical equipment. The study, published in the journal Cell Reports, raises serious concerns about infection control in healthcare settings. It found that the bacterium can not only degrade PCL but also use it as a sole carbon source to fuel its growth -- a capability previo...

Stigma and misunderstanding of obesity are preventing people from receiving adequate treatment for the disease, which is increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a new report from the World Heart Federation warns.  The `World Heart Report 2025 - Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease`, launched at the World Heart Summit on May 17, highlights the myths that hamper efforts to treat obesity. The problem is compounded by systemic healthcare gaps and is contributing to an economic burden worsened by the aggressive commercial practices of companies making cheap, processed food. The World Heart Report emphasises the trends that could send healthcare costs spiraling:1. As the rate of child obesity continues to increase, children with a high BMI are 40 per cent more likely than their peer...

If you are finding it hard to control hypertension or high blood pressure then eating dark chocolate, grapes, or drinking tea may help you, according to a study. Researchers from the University of Surrey, UK, found that naturally occurring compounds called flavan-3-ols -- found in cocoa, tea, apples, and grapes -- may improve blood pressure and the health of our blood vessels. The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, analysed data from 145 randomised controlled studies, and found that regular consumption of flavan-3-ols can lead to a reduction in blood pressure readings, particularly in people with elevated or high blood pressure. In some cases, the average blood pressure-lowering effects were comparable to those seen with some medications, said the rese...

The combination of air pollution, dense urban development and limited green spaces increases the risk of asthma in both children and adults, according to a new study. Improving these can help prevent one in 10 cases of asthma -- a chronic respiratory condition characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult. Previous studies have typically calculated the risk of one environmental factor at a time. The new study combined several environmental factors and described how they together affect the risk of developing asthma. This provided a better picture of environmental risks, as life in a city usually involves exposure to several environmental risk factors at the same time Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, in Sweden, found that 11.6 per cent of ...

Pedestrians and cyclists are among more than 330,000 deaths from road crashes in the Southeast Asia region in 2021, said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, as part of the eighth UN Global Road Safety Week. The UN Global Road Safety Week is marked biennially, starting on the third Monday of May. The theme this year is “Make walking and cycling safe”, urging the world to make walking and cycling safe for everyone. Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia said that road traffic injuries are now the leading cause of death among young people aged 5 to 29 years, and they continue to be a pressing public health concern in our WHO South-East Asia Region. "In 2021 alone, our region accounted for more than 330,000 deaths from road crashes, representing 28 per cent of the...

Every year, World Hypertension Day is observed on May 17 to raise awareness about the condition that is also widely called ‘the silent killer’ globally. This year, the theme is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!’. While hypertension may seem like a complication, it simply means high blood pressure, which occurs when the force of the blood is continuously higher in the arteries.So, what are the causes of hypertension? Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, senior consultant, Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgeon, Gleneagles Hospitals in Parel, explains, "Unhealthy lifestyle habits like high salt intake, lack of exercise, obesity, stress, smoking, kidney disease, or genetic factors can cause a surge in cases of hypertension among the Indian population. Hypertension is referred to...

Feeling lonely or older than your age at 40? According to a study, these negative perceptions about ageing could be early signs of frailty, even in your 40s. Usually associated with older age, frailty is a recognised medical condition, marked by reduced strength, energy, and ability to recover from illness. Pre-frailty is the reversible transition stage that comes before; however, experts say it`s ill-defined and requires more understanding. The research, published in the journal BMC Public Health, showed that it can begin much earlier with subtle psychological and social cues. "Many people assume frailty is something that happens when we get much older," said lead author Tom Brennan from Flinders University`s Caring Futures Institute in Australia. "But our research shows the psycholo...

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about half of the world`s population is now at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100 - 400 million infections occurring each year. In India, as per data from the National Centre for Vector-Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), dengue cases have increased from 1.57 lakh in 2019 to 2.33 lakh in 2024. While the monsoon season is popularly believed to exacerbate dengue and lead to a rise in cases, it is a myth that the disease only affects people when it rains. As Mumbai is experiencing intense heat with untimely rains, city-based experts warn that dengue can be prevalent even during summers. On National Dengue Day 2025, which is observed annually in India on May 16, mid-day speaks to Dr Parit...