Heavy metal in most chocolates may not pose health risk, researchers say

​Some consumer groups and independent test agencies have previously reported heavy metal contamination in cocoa products such as dark chocolate, with possible causes being the type of soil where cocoa is grown and industrial processing.

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Moms think more about household chores − and this cognitive burden hurts their mental health

​The unfair division of housework is a frequent source of stress in relationships and often cited by women as a reason for divorce. The cognitive load may be an underappreciated aspect of the domestic workload that warrants more attention from couples therapists, mental health counselors and premarital relationship educators.

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Mainstreaming of Ayush a core strategy in National Health Mission, says govt

Mainstreaming of Ayush has been taken up in 13,222 Ayush facilities co-located under NHM -- 6,612 primary health centres, 3,035 community health centres, 469 district hospitals, 2,916 health facilities above sub-centre but below block level and 190 health facilities other than community health centres at or above the block level but below the district level.

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SMART diagnostics integration into public health program will enhance health outcomes: Dr Ghosh

​Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor at the Centre for Environment Health, Public Health Foundation of India, emphasized the pivotal role of diagnostics in public health at the third edition of the India Diagnostics Summit. He highlighted the importance of sustainable, mobile, affordable, rapid, and technology-enabled (SMART) diagnostics in improving health outcomes and integrating diagnostics into public health programs.

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Maternal mortality down, C-section remains high

​The next year, it rose by another 24% to 90.6. In the post covid period in 2022-23, the MMR returned to 52.3. “We have seen the biggest decline after that in 2023-24 when MMR dropped to 45.5. It is the results of efforts taken by the government,” health minister Ma Subramanian said at a workshop on bringing down maternal mortality rate – connecting the missing dots.

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India reports rare case of vaccine derived polio virus transmission from child to dad

​The discovery was made during an exercise undertaken by the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Mumbai and ICMR – National Institute of Immunohematology and the World Health Organisation among others, was carried out in two phases in 2022, according to a study published in the journal Vaccines.

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Life and death in the heat. What it feels like when Earth's temperatures soar to record highs

"The majority of the deaths were among people suffering from chronic diseases and the elderly, as the high temperatures contributed to the deterioration of their health condition and led to their death," Kamal Elyansli, the regional director of health, said in a statement.

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FSSAI must protect consumers: Concerns over added sugar in baby food and contaminated spices

“Health drink” labels often mislead consumers as the advertiser misrepresents the nutritional content of the food item, says Dr Arun Gupta, paediatrician and convener of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), a think tank.

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Budget 2024 a huge disappointment for health sector: Experts

The recently tabled Union Budget for FY 2024-25 has left top industry experts in the healthcare sector expressing unanimous disappointment. In a post-budget webinar hosted by ETHealthworld, these experts highlighted several key policy concerns and urged for their prompt mitigation to benefit both the industry and society

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World Health Organisation appeals to prevent the heartbreak of drowning, save lives

WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Saima Wazed said, "We join the global community in observing World Drowning Prevention Day, dedicated to raising awareness and accelerating action on global drowning prevention. The World Health Assembly Resolution WHA76.18, passed in 2023, underscores the urgent need for coordinated multi-sectoral action to combat this leading cause of injury-related death and disability worldwide."

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No panel formed for extending benefits to cover citizens above 70 under Ayushman Bharat: Govt

Responding to a question on whether the government proposed to cover citizens aged 70 and above by expanding Ayushman Bharat through the launch of a national health claims exchange and if an expert panel had been set up to strengthen the format of the scheme for the planned expansion, Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav told the Lok Sabha on Friday.

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Hantavirus in US: Deadly rat disease kills four; health officials on alert

​Arizona public health officials have reported six cases and three deaths over the past six months. This is a significant rise compared to the 11 cases recorded from 2016 to 2022. The state's health department issued a warning confirming the increase in cases and the fatalities. "Arizona has also been experiencing an increase in hantavirus activity.

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Share of health budget has gone down, says IMA President Dr RV Asokan

​Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget on Tuesday, announcing customs duty exemptions on three cancer drugs to make them more affordable for patients. Indian Medical Association (IMA) President Dr RV Asokan said that the budget maintains the status quo for health concerns, highlighting the import duty reductions on X-ray components and cancer drugs.

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Union Budget 2024 key highlights: Exempting customs duty on 3 cancer drugs, X-ray devices

The Finance Minister in her record seventh consecutive budget speech, announced the exemption of basic customs duty on three cancer care drugs: Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab, while revising the custom duty rates for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in medical X-ray machines. Rs 36,000 crore was allocated for the National Health Mission (NHM).

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Union Budget 2024: Govt priorities innovations in health, education

​While annoucing the budget the FM laid emphasis on various educational reforms, the highlight being that several medical colleges would be opened in Bihar and boosting the development of public health infrastructure for public good.

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Health Sector Budget 2024 LIVE: All eyes on FM's Union Budget 2024 prescription for Health Sector

Health Sector Budget 2024 LIVE: The healthcare and pharma sectors are closely watching the budget, hoping for significant allocations and reforms to boost GDP growth and address critical industry needs. The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the first full Budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government in its third term today at 11 am.

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Health sector crucial for robust economy, says Economic Survey 2024

​The budget also highlights the other healthcare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM which aims to create a national digital health ecosystem across the country and eSanjeevani, telemedicine for virtual doctor consultations in remote.

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Economic Survey 2023-24: Standardising Guidelines and Bridging Psychiatrist Deficit Can Fix Gaps in Mental Healthcare in India

The Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled by Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid a focus on the increase in mental health issues in India and outlined for several key policy changes such as achieving WHO benchmarks over the number of psychiatrists per lakh population in the country; Developing comprehensive guidelines for the excellence centers; Standardisation of guidelines for mental-health services across government and private sector among others.

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Primary healthcare expenditure increased from 51.3 per cent of GHE in FY15 to 55.9 per cent of GHE in FY20: Eco Survey

he survey also notes a significant increase in the social security expenditure on health, which grew from 5.7 per cent in FY15 to 9.3 per cent in FY20. There was also a decline in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of total health expenditure (THE) between FY15 and FY20.

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UN says 2024 decisive to ending AIDS as health threat

Access to antiretroviral medication is a major issue, with 30.7 million patients receiving such treatment compared to just 7.7 million in 2010. But the figure falls far short of a target of 34 million set for 2025.

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12 lakh excess deaths in Covid year, reveals report; govt says methodology flawed

​The paper stated that the increase in all-cause mortality in 2020 could be due to deteriorating economic conditions and pandemic disruptions to public health services such as childhood immunizations, tuberculosis treatment, and hospital births identified in earlier research papers. Health ministry argued that SRS data in 2020 showed very little, if any, excess mortality compared with 2019 and no reduction in life expectancy.

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Centre to deploy team to support Kerala in probing Nipah virus case

The ministry has advised the state to immediately implement public health measures such as active case search in the boy's family and his neighbourhood, and in areas with similar topography of the place the case was detected.

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Health ministry terms a study on Covid deaths in India 'misleading'

​The NFHS sample is representative of the country only when it is considered as a whole. The 23 per cent of households included in this analysis from part of 14 states cannot be considered representative of the country, the statement said.

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Collaborative Efforts Needed to Leverage AI's Full Potential in Transforming Healthcare

​The government is interested in partnering with the industry to leverage AI for public health dimensions such as individualized care, prediction, targeting, and precision public health. Industry stakeholders should contribute to refining the mission and leveraging the India AI mission, a 10,000 crore initiative, for collaborative advancements in AI-driven healthcare, said Dr. VK Paul, NITI Aayog member (Health).

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Looking for Increase in Healthcare Expenditure for NHM and Other Initiatives in Budget 2024: Health Secy

In the upcoming budget for 2024-25, the Health Ministry is anticipating increased support and expenditure for the National Health Mission, and other such healthcare initiatives, informed Apurva Chandra, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), at sidelines of an event in Delhi.

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Abbott plans marketing push for glucose monitors beyond diabetes

​​​Abbott Laboratories will use a mix of TV advertisements and guerilla marketing as well as seek to personalize health data to tap people without diabetes for the U.S. launch of its glucose monitoring device, CEO Robert Ford said on Thursday.

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Need World-Class Regulatory Framework and Transparency of procedures in CDSCO : JPNadda

To uphold India's global reputation as the 'Pharmacy of the World,' it is essential to establish a world-class regulatory framework that aligns with our scale of operations and international expectations. Ensuring transparency in procedures at the CDSCO and within the drugs and medical devices industry is crucial to achieving these global standards, stated Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda during a high-level meeting reviewing the regulations of drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices in the country.

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Bridge gaps in rehabilitative, assistive technology services amid growing demand: WHO

At a regional meeting in Dhaka, WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed emphasised the critical need for rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, counselling, and mental health support, to restore dignity and hope for individuals.

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At least 33 major health insurance companies join govt's centralised claims-related info exchange

​The existing process requires patients to provide their insurance policy details or a card issued by the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) or insurance company when they visit a hospital for treatment. The hospital accesses the claim processing portals of the respective insurers and uploads the necessary documents for pre-authorization or claim approval

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Centre's health expenditure down as share of GDP or total Budget since 2018-19

Shockingly, even after adding what seems like a large one-time expenditure for Covid in 2020-21 (Rs 10,655 crore) and 2021-22 (Rs 15,955 crore) the health spending in these years does not equal what the expenditure would have been if the spending had been at the 2018-19 level of 2.4 per cent of the total budget expenditure.

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Most patients stop using Wegovy, Ozempic for weight loss within two years, analysis finds

Prime Therapeutics and Magellan Rx Management, a pharmacy benefits manager, reviewed pharmacy and medical claims data for 3,364 people with commercial health plans that cover GLP-1 drugs. They had all received new prescriptions between January and December 2021, and had a diagnosis of obesity or a body mass index of 30 or higher.

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Diagnostics sector to see increased demand in preventive screening: NITI Aayog Director

In her valedictory address at the third edition of ETHealthworld India Diagnostics Summit, Urvashi Prasad, Director at NITI Aayog, Government of India, stated that “Smart wearables and sensors are set to revolutionize the mental health sector, making it more accessible and affordable for a larger segment of the population.” She also highlighted that the diagnostic industry will see increased demand for preventive screenings, with AI-based devices transforming the screening process.

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Pune's Zika infection tally climbs to 12, another expecting mom tests positive

​According to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Zika virus in pregnant women can induce microcephaly in the foetus, especially if the infection occurs in the first trimester. "In view of this, PMC also held a meeting with private hospitals to ensure that every case is reported to the civic body on time, allowing civic health officials to initiate preventive measures," a civic health official said.

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Union Budget 2024: Govt mulls doubling number of AB-PMJAY beneficiaries, insurance amount

​In the interim Budget 2024, the government increased the allocation for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families, to Rs 7,200 crore while Rs 646 crore was assigned for the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

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Budget 2024: Is a Rs 10 lakh insurance the vitamin India's healthcare system needs?

In the interim Budget, the government increased the allocation for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families, to Rs 7,200 crore while Rs 646 crore was assigned for the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

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Centre dismisses reports of foreign medical grad exam leak

​Sources in the health ministry said there have been reports of some people claiming on social media about the availability of FMGE questions for a price. "This is completely misleading and untrue. FMGE is a computer-based test. The questions are prepared a few hours before the exam. Therefore, it is not possible for anyone to have them already. Examinees should beware of such cheats," said an official.

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Heart health is dependent on knowledge: Global study reveals what information cardiac patients need to thrive

Findings showed that patients have a strong desire for information on a wide range of health topics. They want to understand cardiac events, adopt heart-healthy diets, manage medications, recognize symptoms, control risk factors and engage in cardiac rehabilitation programs. This highlights the need for comprehensive patient education to meet the diverse needs of heart patients.

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Air pollution drives 7% of deaths in big Indian cities: study

From 2008 to 2019, more than 33,000 deaths a year could be attributed to PM2.5 exposure above the World Health Organization's recommendation of 15 micrograms per cubic metre, the study said.

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India inks USD 170 million policy-based loan with ADB to strengthen pandemic preparedness

As per the ministry, the ADB programme will help the government's ongoing efforts in further strengthening disease surveillance, ensuring the sufficiency and quality of health professionals, and promoting climate-resilient public health infrastructure and service delivery.

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US FDA to ban use of brominated vegetable oil in food, soda

The FDA said it had concluded that BVO was not safe for use after the results of studies, it conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, found the potential for adverse effects in humans.

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MoH&FW issues Zika virus advisory to States

As Zika is associated with microcephaly and neurological consequences in the foetus of the affected pregnant lady, States have been advised to alert the clinicians for close monitoring. States are urged to instruct the health facilities in the affected areas or those catering cases from affected areas to screen the pregnant women for Zika virus infection, monitor the growth of the foetus of expecting mothers who have tested positive for Zika and act as per Central Government Guidelines.

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3 pc more babies with low birth weight born during pandemic in India, study finds

The increase in babies born with a low weight could impact the development of "human capital" in the long term, as these infants are known to often "struggle with school", corresponding author Santosh Kumar, an associate professor of development and global health economics at the University of Notre Dame, US, said.

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India inks USD 170 million policy-based loan with ADB to strengthen pandemic preparedness

As per the ministry, the ADB programme will help the government's ongoing efforts in further strengthening disease surveillance, ensuring the sufficiency and quality of health professionals, and promoting climate-resilient public health infrastructure and service delivery.

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Bengaluru: Dr Devi Shetty floats Rs 1 crore health plan for Rs 10,000 per year

Dr Shetty said developing countries made an error by prioritising malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV in their government health policies. He said while these diseases cause 1.2 million to 2 million deaths annually, the lack of access to safe surgery results in 17 million deaths worldwide.

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Technological advances and staffing improvements: Lifelines for Doctors

Amidst the human resource crisis in healthcare, technological advancements have emerged as a white knight for noble professionals, helping them overcome time and geographical barriers. Data from Practo suggests that in the last 15 years, doctors have managed 200 million appointments online. The American Medical Association (AMA) supports this shift, with research showing that 9 in 10 physicians see benefits in digital health tools. Additionally, improvements in staffing ratios and the revival of traditional medicare have provided relief against the impending human resource crisis in the medical fraternity.

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Study reveals how intake of ultra-processed foods associated with increased risk of death

"Our study results support a larger body of literature, including both observational and experimental studies, which indicate that ultra-processed food intake adversely impacts health and longevity," said Erikka Loftfield, PhD, Stadtman Investigator at the National Cancer Institute

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Govt fully committed to improving health infrastructure: PM Modi on Doctor's Day

In a post on X, Modi said, "Greetings on #Doctors Day. This is a day to honour the incredible dedication and compassion of our healthcare heroes. They can navigate the most challenging complexities with remarkable skill."

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