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Ozempic explained: Key insights on the trending medication

<keyword id="20016418" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mobile-phones" source="keywords">Mobile phones</keyword> are often held against the head during use. And they emit <keyword id="21686850" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="radio-waves" source="keywords">radio waves</keyword>, a type of non-ionising radiation. These two factors are largely why the idea mobile phones might cause <keyword id="20881867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brain-cancer" source="keywords">brain cancer</keyword> emerged in the first place. The possibility that mobile phones might cause <keyword id="19896991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer" source="keywords">cancer</keyword> has been a long-standing concern. Mobile phones - and wireless tech more broadly - are a major part of our daily lives. So it's been vital for science to address the safety of radio wave exposure from these devices. Over the years, the scientific consensus has remained strong - there's no association between mobile phone radio waves and brain cancer, or health more generally. A recent review commissioned by the <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> and published in the journal Environment International confirms the same. The study, which was conducted by Sarah Loughran, who is Director, Radiation Research and Advice, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), and Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director, Health Impact Assessment, ARPANSA, delved into the potential <keyword id="21194036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-effects" source="keywords">health effects</keyword> from radio wave exposure, and has shown mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer. <h2>Radiation as a possible carcinogen</h2> Despite the consensus, occasional research studies have been published that suggested the possibility of harm. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio wave exposure as a possible carcinogen to humans. The meaning of this classification was largely misunderstood and led to some increase in concern. IARC is part of the World Health Organisation. Its classification of radio waves as a possible carcinogen was largely based on limited evidence from human observational studies. Also known as epidemiological studies, they observe the rate of disease and how it may be caused in human populations. Observational studies are the best tool researchers have to investigate long-term health effects in humans, but the results can often be biased. The IARC classification relied on previous observational studies where people with brain cancer reported they used a mobile phone more than they actually did. One example of this is known as the INTERPHONE study. This new systematic review of human observational studies is based on a much larger data set compared to what the IARC examined in 2011. It includes more recent and more comprehensive studies. This means we can now be more confident that exposure to radio waves from mobile phones or <keyword id="22150173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wireless-technologies" source="keywords">wireless technologies</keyword> is not associated with an increased risk of brain cancer, the paper noted. <h2>No association</h2> The new review forms part of a series of systematic reviews commissioned by the World Health Organisation to look more closely at possible health effects associated with exposure to radio waves. This systematic review provides the strongest evidence to date that radio waves from wireless technologies are not a hazard to human health. It is the most comprehensive review on this topic - it considered more than 5,000 studies, of which 63, published between 1994 and 2022, were included in the final analysis. The main reason studies were excluded was that they were not actually relevant; this is very normal with search results from systematic reviews. No association between mobile phone use and brain cancer, or any other head or neck cancer, was found. There was also no association with cancer if a person used a mobile phone for ten or more years (prolonged use). How often they used it - either based on the number of calls or the time spent on the phone - also didn't make a difference. Importantly, these findings align with previous research. It shows that, although the use of wireless technologies has massively increased in the past few decades, there has been no rise in the incidence of brain cancers. <h2>A good thing</h2> Overall, the results are very reassuring. They mean that our national and international safety limits are protective. Mobile phones emit low-level radio waves below these safety limits, and there is no evidence exposure to these has an impact on human health, said the study. Despite this, it is important that research continues. Technology is developing at a rapid pace. With this development comes the use of radio waves in different ways using different frequencies. It is therefore essential that science continues to ensure radio wave exposure from these technologies remains safe. The challenge we now face is making sure this new research counteracts the persistent misconceptions and misinformation out there regarding mobile phones and brain cancer. There remains no evidence of any established health effects from exposures related to mobile phones, and that is a good thing.

Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer, as per a major review of 28 years of research

<keyword id="19894886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="china" source="keywords">China</keyword>'s top drug regulator has cleared a mpox vaccine developed by local drug firm Sinopharm for clinical trials which could be the country's first experimental dose to battle the deadly disease. The domestic vaccine candidate, created by the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products and administered by Sinopharm, is expected to play an important role in preventing and controlling mpox infections, the company said in a statement released on Monday afternoon. There is currently no approved mpox vaccine in China. Globally, a few vaccines have been approved in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan and Russia. In China, a vaccine candidate typically goes through three phases of clinical trials before gaining market approval. The process can take years, even decades. However, the National Medical Products Administration, China's top drug regulator, has launched a number of accelerated or streamlined channels to facilitate applications of novel drugs and vaccines or those in urgent need, state-run China Daily reported on Tuesday. According to the company, the new vaccine is a replication-deficient vaccine based on a strain called MVA. The description is the same as <keyword id="22925756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jynneos" source="keywords">Jynneos</keyword>, the world's first mpox vaccine approved by the <keyword id="20256595" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-and-drug-administration" source="keywords">Food and Drug Administration</keyword> in the United States in 2019. The <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organisation" source="keywords">World Health Organisation</keyword> said on August 14 that the mpox outbreak in <keyword id="19924003" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="africa" source="keywords">Africa</keyword> constitutes a public health emergency of international concern - its highest form of alert. Previously, in July 2022, the WHO declared a global emergency but then lifted it in May last year because of a sustained decline in international cases. So far, more than 120 countries and regions across the world have reported more than 100,000 confirmed infections and 226 related deaths. China reported its first imported case in September 2022 and the first domestic case in June last year. By the end of July, the nation had reported 2,567 confirmed cases, according to the China Daily report. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ather-energy-looks-to-raise-3100-crore-files-ipo-papers-with-sebi/articleshow/113214971.cms">Ather Energy looks to raise ₹3,100 crore, files IPO papers with SEBI</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-16-pro-iphone-16-pro-max-india-price-specifications/articleshow/113204340.cms">iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with bigger displays, A18 Pro chipset launched starting at ₹1,19,900</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-16-iphone-16-plus-price-specs/articleshow/113203568.cms">iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus with A18 chipset launched starting at ₹79,900</a>

China's drug regulator clears mpox vaccine; to undergo clinical trial

All Indian <keyword id="19926225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="salt" source="keywords">salt</keyword> and <keyword id="20109149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sugar" source="keywords">sugar</keyword> brands, whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain <keyword id="19970180" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="microplastics" source="keywords">microplastics</keyword>, according to a study published on Tuesday. The study, titled "Microplastics in Salt and Sugar" and conducted by the <keyword id="22774411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-research-organisation" source="keywords">environmental research organisation</keyword> <keyword id="21593811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toxics-Link" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toxics Link" meta.hostid="281" meta.entityid="Toxics Link">Toxics Link</keyword>, tested 10 types of salt -- including table salt, rock salt, <keyword id="158885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sea-salt" source="Orion">sea salt</keyword> and local raw salt -- and five types of sugar purchased from both online and local markets. The study revealed the presence of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples, in various forms, including fibre, pellets, films and fragments. The size of these microplastics ranged from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. The highest levels of microplastics were found in <keyword id="630077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iodised-salt" source="Orion">iodised salt</keyword>, in the form of multi-coloured thin fibre and films. Toxics Link founder-director Ravi Agarwal said, "The objective of our study was to contribute to the existing scientific database on microplastics, so that the global plastic treaty can address this issue in a concrete and focused manner." "We also aim to trigger policy action and attract researchers' attention to potential technological interventions that could reduce exposure risks to microplastics." Toxics Link associate director Satish Sinha added, "Our study's finding of substantial amounts of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples is concerning and calls for urgent, comprehensive research into the long-term health impacts of microplastics on human health." The concentration of microplastics in the salt samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilogramme of dry weight, the report said. Iodised salt had the highest concentration of microplastics (89.15 pieces per kilogramme) while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces per kilogramme), according to the study. In sugar samples, the concentration of microplastics ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogramme, with the highest concentration found in non-organic sugar. Microplastics are a growing global concern because they can harm both health and the environment. These tiny plastic particles can enter the human body through food, water and air. Recent research has found microplastics in human organs such as the lungs, heart, and even in breast milk and unborn babies. Previous studies found that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and around 10 spoons of sugar every day -- much higher than the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword>'s recommended limits.

All Indian salt and sugar brands have microplastics, notes a recent study

Discussions around <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">mental health</keyword> at the workplace reignited in the last few days when the death of two corporate employees made headlines. And it is no secret that without having a healthy mind, you cannot be productive. Ample studies in the last few months have pointed out the importance of mental health and it is important to talk about these issues. Today (October 10) marks <keyword id="23481940" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Mental-Health-Day" source="keywords">World Mental Health day</keyword>. It is an occasion for raising awareness about mental health issues and combating social stigma. Celebrated globally since 1992, this day encourages education and advocacy for mental well-being, reminding us that mental health is a crucial aspect of overall health, especially in the workplace. <h2>Ex-Google employee experienced stress, anxiety </h2> <keyword id="23300967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nicholas-Whitaker" source="keywords">Nicholas Whitaker</keyword>, who worked with <keyword id="19902762" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Google" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Google">Google</keyword> for 13 years, told Business Insider India in an interview that he also experienced the pressures of a high-stress work environment. “During my time at Google, I faced significant stress and anxiety. It became clear that no matter how successful you are on paper, if your mental health is compromised, it diminishes your quality of life and ability to fully engage at work,” he said. He added that <keyword id="19925554" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mindfulness" source="keywords">mindfulness</keyword> played a crucial role in his recovery, saying that mental health is not just a personal issue but a workplace concern that should be treated with equal importance as productivity and performance. <h2>How to protect your mental health? </h2> To help others protect their mental health, Whitaker shared several key practices that can be game-changers. 1. Set Boundaries: Understand your limits and communicate them clearly. This includes managing your workload, taking time away from work, and setting boundaries around communication. Protecting your time and energy is essential. 2. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation: Mindfulness was a lifesaver for him in managing corporate stress. Even dedicating a few minutes each day to meditation can help you stay grounded and aware of your feelings, allowing you to make necessary adjustments before burnout sets in. 3. Take Breaks: In high-pressure environments, it’s easy to feel that there’s no time for a break. However, regular breaks—even just a short walk or stepping outside—can significantly enhance your mental state and boost productivity. 4. Find a Support System: Having people to talk to, whether colleagues, friends, or coaches, can make a considerable difference. Building a supportive community can combat feelings of isolation, which often exacerbate mental health issues. 5. Align Work with Values: Stress and dissatisfaction often arise from a misalignment between personal values and work. Reflecting on what truly matters to you and making small shifts toward work that aligns with those values can lead to greater fulfillment. To conclude, Whitaker said, “Mental health is not a luxury—it’s essential for personal well-being and professional success. When organisations invest in their employees’ mental health, they cultivate a culture where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to excel in their work.” As we observe <keyword id="23486492" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-mental-health" source="keywords">World Mental Health</keyword> Day, it’s crucial to remember that prioritising mental well-being can lead to a more productive, innovative, and fulfilled workforce.

World Mental Health Day: Ex-Google employee shares tips on protecting mental health at workplace, says he experienced stress and anxiety

The internet insists on calling a spade a spade. The internet will also pompously convince you that they have personally worked with a variety of spades and that they intimately understand how these fantastic tools curve precisely around their working edges for maximum utility. However, any amount or manner of squinting will also reveal that the tool they’re referring to, is in fact, a shovel. Despite the fact that humans today indubitably can access information like before in history, there is still a terrible misinformation pandemic afoot. When it isn’t producing dizzying Mandela Effects to reconcile with, it is mobilising the public with pitchforks, rallying them for a cause they didn’t care about until a week ago. A similar incident transpired during the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, where the identity of Algerian boxer <keyword id="22621786" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="imane-khelif" source="keywords">Imane Khelif</keyword> came under intense scrutiny after her historic gold — with some media outlets and influential personalities also aiding the uproar. Since the initial row dragged in high-profile figures such as <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> and Trump, a leaked medical report has claimed to “confirm” Imane’s male-ness. This renewed public discourse on the matter, with various Indian media outlets once again casually labelling the athlete as “a man”. For example, a headline in the Hindustan Times ran, “Imane <keyword id="22633929" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="khelif" source="keywords">Khelif</keyword>, Paris Olympics medalist, confirmed a man in leaked medical report”, and another article by Livemint claimed Khelif was "confirmed as man" following the leak of her medical details. Similar headlines were being carried by a host of mainstream outlets, including The Indian Express and Moneycontrol. Science suggests that there is a great deal of nuance to gender and identity, concepts that are misrepresented due to a lack of gender studies in traditional education. Reporting Khelif to be a man, based solely on reported biological characteristics is highly misleading when discussing both the medical and societal implications of gender identity. To clear the confusion, let’s look at the official definitions of gender, explore Khelif’s reported medical condition, and review the consequences of how media coverage can amplify misunderstandings and bias. <h2>Where the new controversy started</h2>The recent controversy began when a leaked medical report indicated that Khelif has XY chromosomes, internal testes, and lacks a uterus, potentially due to a rare genetic condition called 5-alpha reductase deficiency. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112218392" title="Imane Khelif: Is it accurate to label this female-born boxer as ‘biological male’ or ‘transgender’?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This was nothing new, as a similar report had helped Khelif become the subject of substantial media and public scrutiny in the past as well. During the Olympics, however, statements from high-profile figures like former US President <keyword id="19918985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="donald-trump" source="keywords">Donald Trump</keyword> and author <keyword id="20260304" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jk-rowling" source="keywords">JK Rowling</keyword> — who insisted that Khelif was an ineligible man — helped catapult public discourse on gender and sports to astronomical levels. In response, Khelif filed a complaint in France against Trump, Rowling, and Elon Musk, citing cyber harassment and arguing that the comments about her identity amount to public harassment. Despite the reports and the outrage, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has upheld her eligibility to compete in the women’s division, acknowledging her identity as a woman. They based their decision on her lifelong identification as female and her history of competing as such, setting an example of inclusivity while recognising the complexities of gender and biological diversity. <h2>Difference between sex and gender</h2>Understanding Khelif’s case requires better clarity on the terms “sex” and “gender.” While the public may use them interchangeably, there are important differences that are rooted in many fields of science. Sex typically refers to biological differences — chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy. Gender, however, encompasses the social roles, behaviours, and identities that individuals embody, which may or may not align with their biological sex. A helpful way to think about this distinction is by analogy. Consider how some people have genetically blue eyes while others have brown eyes — these are inherent biological characteristics. However, people might choose to wear contact lenses to change their eye colour, much like how gender identity can vary depending on how individuals view themselves and how they are seen within society. Another popular — albeit somewhat controversial — manner of comparing the two is to think of a person’s sex as their “hardware”, while their gender is the “software” they run on. As such, a person’s biology might suggest certain physical traits, but their gender identity could align differently based on personal and cultural factors. To help them feel more at ease with their bodies, many individuals often undergo hormone therapy and counselling. Some even opt for “gender-affirming” surgeries to modify their physical appearances to match up with the gender they feel the most comfortable in. It is also key to recognise that, for some people, gender identity is flexible and can evolve over time. While biological sex generally remains constant, some people may feel more connected to a specific gender at certain points in their lives, while at other times, they feel aligned with another. This concept, called gender fluidity, shows that gender identity isn't always fixed, and is instead shaped by a blend of inner feelings and external experiences, meaning it can shift naturally over time. Supporting this fluidity helps people feel accepted and understood. <h2>Media language and its implications</h2>Due to these reasons, it is problematic when media outlets refer to Khelif as a "man" or "confirmed as man" in their headlines, which is often the only section of the news most read nowadays. These titles communicate to the general public that biology alone dictates gender identity, a stance inconsistent with widely accepted definitions and understandings of gender today. For instance, even the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO) differentiates between sex and gender based on the biological and socially constructed characteristics discussed earlier, insisting that calling someone a man based on sex-linked traits alone oversimplifies their identity and disregards personal self-identification. Not just the WHO, major organisations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the United Nations differentiate sex and gender in a similar manner. Science aside, news outlets have a responsibility to handle sensitive issues like gender identity with nuance and respect. While transparency in reporting is essential, invasive coverage of Khelif's private medical details and sensationalised labelling may infringe upon her privacy. Moreover, by framing her gender identity in simplistic terms, the media risks reinforcing stereotypes and marginalising individuals with differences in sex development or gender diversity. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112240010" title="Dutee Chand extends support to under-fire boxer Imane Khalif following controversial win in Paris Olympics" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Overall, such rare, unique, and complex cases must be handled by the appropriate and informed authorities and should not be subject to a media trial. Ethically, a more respectful approach would involve using gender-neutral terms when discussing Khelif’s eligibility and refraining from language that disregards her self-identification as a woman. Such reporting would be in line with journalistic guidelines that emphasise minimising harm and respecting the dignity of individuals, especially those in vulnerable or marginalised communities. <h2>What even is 5-Alpha Reductase Deficiency?</h2>The condition reportedly attributed to Khelif, 5-alpha reductase deficiency, is a rare genetic condition. Individuals with this condition have XY chromosomes, but their bodies do not effectively convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen responsible for male genital development. Consequently, people with this condition often appear female or have ambiguous genitalia at birth, although they might undergo masculinising changes at puberty. Notably, people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are typically assigned female at birth in societies with limited access to advanced genetic testing. Even Imane’s assigned gender was 'female' at birth, as per the official birth certificate shared by her family after the initial controversy during the Paris Olympics. Many of these individuals live as women and some self-identify as female throughout their lives. Thus, it would be misleading to categorically label them as male solely due to their chromosomal makeup, as this does not reflect their lived gender experience. The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif raises essential questions about gender identity and eligibility criteria in competitive sports. Many governing bodies are grappling with these issues, and it is clear that a single set of criteria may not accommodate the complexities of gender. Striking a balance between fair competition and the inclusion of all athletes will require policies informed by medical insights and a compassionate understanding of gender identity. Moving forward, it is essential that media, sports organisations, and the public alike strive to understand gender identity as an intricate intersection of biology, identity, and culture. Disclaimer: This article uses she/her pronouns considering that Imane identifies herself as female and a woman, and we were unable to find any public information on her preferred pronouns. However, this does not imply any form of judgement on the athlete’s gender identity. The decision on whether such athletes should be allowed to participate in competitions must be left to appropriate authorities and should not be made on social or digital media.

Imane Khelif Olympic gold controversy resurfaces. Is it accurate to term the Algerian boxer a “confirmed man”?

Every year, nearly 6,500 <keyword id="20068743" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="adolescent-girls" source="keywords">adolescent girls</keyword> in <keyword id="19897710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Asia" source="keywords">South Asia</keyword> die giving birth. Most of them are minors <keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="WHO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="WHO">who</keyword> have limited power over their reproductive health or lives, according to a joint analysis done by <keyword id="20018080" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNICEF" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UNICEF" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="UNICEF">UNICEF</keyword>, WHO and <keyword id="20802066" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNFPA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UNFPA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="UNFPA">UNFPA</keyword>. South Asia accounts for 290 million <keyword id="22387193" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="child-brides" source="keywords">child brides</keyword> - nearly half of the world's burden. In three countries in South Asia, they are also four times more likely to be out of school than their unmarried peers, as per the analysis done by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organisation" source="keywords">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) and United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). At the two-day regional dialogue on adolescent pregnancy in South Asia, which concluded on Friday, the <keyword id="20679678" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SAARC" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SAARC" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SAARC">SAARC</keyword> countries, UNICEF South Asia, UNFPA and WHO called for increased commitment to critical services for over 2.2 million adolescent girls that give birth yearly in South Asia, a joint press release issued by the agencies said. "I appreciate the role of governments, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society for the improvements made by the SAARC region over the years in reducing <keyword id="22387194" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="teenage-pregnancy" source="keywords">teenage pregnancy</keyword>," said Ambassador Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of SAARC. "But the region still has a long way to go. I call upon everyone to resolutely address the root causes including child marriage, access to adolescent health education, and removing social stigma in managing the teenage population of the SAARC region," he said. Every year, nearly 6,500 adolescent girls die in childbirth in South Asia, according to the analysis by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA. Most of them are child brides who have limited or negligible power and autonomy over their reproductive health or lives. When young girls give birth, their lives can be at risk as they are not yet physically ready to give birth. Thousands more girls are forced to drop out of school, face stigma, rejection, violence, unemployment as well as lifelong social challenges. Forty-nine per cent of young girls in South Asia are not in education, employment or training - the highest in the world, the press release said. "We must do better for adolescent girls, particularly those who are married, pregnant or parents. In addition to hurdles to learn, get good healthcare and eat nutritious food, they are denied the opportunity to build skills and start businesses -- everything they need as parents to thrive and fulfil their potential," said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. "We must work together and invest in opportunities to unleash the promise of more than 170 million adolescent girls in South Asia. Doing so would be transformative for this region," he said. Government and UN officials, adolescent girls, as well as civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have participated in the dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to providing better services to support pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers. This includes opportunities to learn, set up their businesses, and earn a living. The event held in Kathmandu over July 11-12 was jointly organised by SAARC, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA and was inaugurated by the Secretary General of SAARC, Ambassador Golam Sarwar. Adolescent mothers have a much higher risk of dying from maternal causes, compared to women in their 20s and 30s. "It is high time that we reverse this trend. The unique physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and sexual development during adolescence necessitates special attention in national and international policies. Effective strategies to tackle adolescent pregnancy require cross-sectoral collaboration and equitable access to a variety of services," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

Over 6,500 adolescent girls die giving birth every year across South Asia, says a recent study

The far-reaching consequences of the <keyword id="19955291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-pandemic" source="keywords">COVID-19 pandemic</keyword> have reshaped humanity’s future in ways we are only beginning to understand. This global health crisis didn’t just disrupt lives—it also shattered nearly a decade of global health progress, a startling new report by the <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="WHO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="WHO">WHO</keyword>) has revealed. According to the <keyword id="21164185" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Statistics" source="keywords">World Health Statistics</keyword> 2024 report, the <keyword id="8763838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> pandemic reversed over a decade of advancements in <keyword id="21716169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-life-expectancy" source="keywords">global life expectancy</keyword> within a mere two years. From 2019 to 2021, <keyword id="14078" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="life-expectancy" source="Orion">life expectancy</keyword> worldwide plummeted by 1.8 years, dropping to 71.4 years. Similarly, global <keyword id="21842689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthy-life-expectancy" source="keywords">healthy life expectancy</keyword> decreased by 1.5 years, falling to 61.9 years. The last time both these levels were so low was back in 2012! The report also underscores the uneven impact of the pandemic across different regions. The WHO regions of Southeast Asia and the Americas were hit the hardest, experiencing a decline in life expectancy by approximately three years and a drop in healthy life expectancy by 2.5 years between 2019 and 2021. In stark contrast, the Western Pacific Region saw minimal effects during the same period, with losses of less than 0.1 years in life expectancy and 0.2 years in healthy life expectancy. Furthermore, COVID-19 swiftly became a leading cause of death, ranking as the third highest globally in 2020 and the second in 2021, claiming nearly 13 million lives during this period. The latest data indicates that, except in the African and Western Pacific regions, COVID-19 was among the top five causes of death, notably becoming the leading cause of death in the Americas for both years. “There continues to be major progress in global health, with billions of people who are enjoying better health, better access to services, and better protection from health emergencies. But we must remember how fragile progress can be,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “In just two years, the COVID-19 pandemic erased a decade of gains in life expectancy. That's why the new <keyword id="21604359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-Agreement" source="keywords">Pandemic Agreement</keyword> is so important: not only to strengthen global health security, but to protect long-term investments in health and promote equity within and between countries.” The new Pandemic Agreement, also known as the ‘Pandemic Accord’ or ‘Pandemic Treaty’, is an international pact currently under negotiation by the 194 member states of the WHO. This accord aims to enhance global readiness and response to pandemics, ensuring the world can effectively prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health crises. The negotiation process is spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established by the <keyword id="20294860" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-assembly" source="keywords">World Health Assembly</keyword> in 2021. The INB's goal is to finalise the agreement for adoption at the 2024 World Health Assembly, scheduled from May 27 to June 1 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year's Health Assembly theme, ‘All for Health, Health for All,’ underscores the universal commitment to this crucial initiative.

COVID-19 pandemic caused global life expectancy to fall back to 2012 levels, erasing a decade’s worth of progress: WHO

<keyword id="20345865" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-gold-medallist" source="keywords">Olympic gold medallist</keyword> <keyword id="20206037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abhinav-Bindra" source="keywords">Abhinav Bindra</keyword> on Friday acknowledged <keyword id="19924382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="training" source="keywords">training</keyword> <keyword id="20430758" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-athletes" source="keywords">Indian athletes</keyword> across <keyword id="20010841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sports" source="keywords">sports</keyword> on the aspect of mental health remains a "work in progress", while adding that benefits of the same must reach grassroots level. Bindra said mental health directly influences overall <keyword id="19896695" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="well-being" source="keywords">well-being</keyword> of an athlete and sports administrators also share equal responsibility in it. "It's an area where there is work in progress - we all acknowledge that. We are a sporting ecosystem which is developing. It is slowly maturing," he said during a virtual interaction organised by <keyword id="21556305" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mpower" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Mpower" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Mpower">Mpower</keyword> to launch AMP: A Sports Psychology Division to Elevate Athlete Performance. "This is an aspect that not just from a shooting athlete's point of view, but across the board, which needs to be prioritised. It is something which has a direct influence on the performance of the athlete. "It has a direct influence on the well-being of an athlete. <keyword id="22977441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sports-organisations" source="keywords">Sports organisations</keyword> and everybody involved in governance has to also ensure that our athletes perform well, but their well-being is of equal importance," he added. Bindra highlighted the presence of a mental health expert with the Indian contingent in Paris <keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword> as a step in the right direction. "We've seen progress made even during the Olympics in Paris. It was the first time there was a mental health expert who was with the team. There (also) was somebody for sleep," he said. "There are things that are happening. But we need to keep working with intensity to make sure that this perpetuates down to the grassroot level," he added. Bindra rejected the notion that athletes today are "softer" than those in the past. "I completely disagree. If that is the notion to be believed, then the softer ones are winning more than the tougher ones because that's what our results and our history tell us," he said. Bindra revealed how a meditation course, while planning to quit shooting, helped him find "love for the process" after winning the Olympic gold in 2008. "When I did win that gold medal at the Olympics, my energy was completely drained in the sense that I was physically, emotionally (and) mentally drained. It also required a period of time to just let go and then to recharge my batteries and that wasn't easy," he said. "I decided to go on a vipassana meditation course and it was interesting because I was wanting to actually leave the sport and move on to the next calling. That was my primary drive, to find my new calling." "I had to meditate for eight nine hours a day in complete silence for 10 days and all I did in that course was to think back to my sport and think back to how I loved the process of what I was doing," he said. Bindra said he was guilty of not realising his full potential since he judged himself on outcomes of tournaments. "For far too long, perhaps, I too was guilty in putting myself worth to wear my name, equating myself worth to where my name would appear on the ranking list of a sports competition and that was very silly," he said. "I became an Olympic champion, (a) world champion, I won many many championships but I failed in achieving my fullest and truest potential and now that I have a chance to look back I would attribute that failure to this lack of balance that I had in my life as an athlete. "I did not humanise my effort enough and I think that was while it helped me achieve goals it didn't help me get to my very best ability," he added.

Abhinav Bindra says training Indian athletes on mental health issues a 'work in progress'

The World Health Organisation (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) has announced that <keyword id="22989608" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="M-Pox" source="keywords">M-Pox</keyword> will continue to be classified as a <keyword id="21952478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-health-emergency" source="keywords">public health emergency</keyword> of international concern (PHEIC), citing a resurgence in cases and the virus's ongoing geographic spread. The high-alert status initially declared in August, was reaffirmed following a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee, The Express Tribune reported on Friday. The decision comes as M-Pox cases surge, particularly with the spread of the <keyword id="22875864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clade-Ib-variant" source="keywords">clade Ib variant</keyword> beyond its origin in the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring African nations, Europe, and Asia. "Rising case numbers, the continuing geographic spread, and the need for a cohesive response have made it essential to maintain this emergency status," the WHO said in its statement. Confirmed cases of clade Ib have been detected in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and India, highlighting the global scale of the outbreak, reported The Express Tribune. M-Pox, a viral disease transmitted through close contact, presents flu-like symptoms and lesions. Although typically mild, it can be fatal, particularly in regions with inadequate healthcare. Over 46,000 suspected cases have been reported this year in Africa, with Congo accounting for the majority of the more than 1,000 suspected deaths. The new PHEIC declaration underscores the global threat posed by clade Ib and follows earlier alerts related to a separate strain during the 2022-2023 outbreak. In response to growing concerns, the WHO has expanded vaccine authorisations. Bavarian Nordic's <keyword id="24137585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="M-Pox-vaccine" source="keywords">M-Pox vaccine</keyword> was approved earlier this year, with Japan's KM Biologics' vaccine added to the list of emergency-use vaccines in September. WHO officials have faced criticism for delays in <keyword id="21847727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine-distribution" source="keywords">vaccine distribution</keyword> but stressed that vaccination remains a cornerstone of global response efforts, The Express Tribune reported. "The emergency status underscores the urgency to mount a unified global response," a WHO spokesperson stated. The organisation urged countries and health partners to collaborate on widespread vaccination campaigns and enhance public awareness to curb the virus's spread effectively.

M-Pox remains public health emergency: WHO

Sydney, Aug 15 (The Conversation): The <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organization" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organization" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organization">World Health Organization</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) has declared <keyword id="20965747" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mpox" source="keywords">mpox</keyword> a public health emergency of international concern, after rising cases in the <keyword id="22796094" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo" source="keywords">Democratic Republic of the Congo</keyword> and the potential for further spread. This now triggers a coordinated international response to an extraordinary event and the mobilisation of resources, such as vaccines and diagnostic testing, to curb the spread of this infectious disease. But WHO has not declared mpox a <keyword id="19913581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic" source="keywords">pandemic</keyword>. Rather, the measures it has triggered are designed to prevent it from becoming one. <h2>What triggered this latest alert?</h2> Mpox, once known as monkeypox, is a viral infection closely related to <keyword id="22362924" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smallpox" source="keywords">smallpox</keyword>. Initial symptoms include a fever, headache, swelling of the lymph nodes and muscle ache. A typical rash follows, mainly on the face, hands and feet. The spread of mpox through certain African countries led the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to declare earlier this week mpox a public health emergency of continental security. This is the first time the organisation has issued such an alert since it was established in 2017. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa has been particularly worrying for more than a year. There are two types or clades of mpox. Clade II, which originates in west Africa, is less severe. It has a fatality rate of up to 1 per cent (in other words, roughly one in 100 are expected to die from it). But clade I, from central Africa, has a fatality rate of up to 10 per cent (up to one in ten die). This compares to a 0.7 per cent fatality rate for the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is seeing large epidemics of the more deadly clade I mpox. Mpox is endemic in some parts of central and west Africa, where the virus exists in animals and can spread to humans. Outbreaks have been increasing, with more human-to-human spread, since 2017. This is partly due to very low levels of immunity to the mpox virus, which is related to the virus that causes smallpox. Mass vaccination against smallpox ceased more than 40 years ago globally, resulting in minimal immunity in populations today against mpox. The WHO designation announced this week relates to the clade I. Not only does this have a higher fatality rate, it has new mutations that enhance spread between people. These changes, and the global lack of immunity to mpox, makes the world's population vulnerable to the virus. <h2>There are two different epidemics</h2> In 2022, an epidemic of mpox swept through non-endemic countries, including beyond Africa. This was a variant of clade II originating from Nigeria, called clade IIb. This was sexually transmitted, predominantly affecting men who have sex with men, and had a low fatality rate. That epidemic peaked in 2022, with vaccines made available to people at risk in high-income countries, but there has been an uptick in 2024. At the same time, large clade I epidemics were occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but with far less attention. Vaccines were not available there, even in 2023, when there were 14,626 cases and 654 deaths. Mortality was 4.5 per cent, and higher in children. In fact, most cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been children. This means most transmission there is non-sexual and is likely to have occurred through close contact or respiratory aerosols. However, in 2023 an <keyword id="20877025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="outbreak" source="keywords">outbreak</keyword> in a non-endemic part of the country, South Kivu in the east, appeared to be by sexual transmission, indicating more than one epidemic and different transmission modes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By mid-2024, there were already more cases in the country than all of 2023 - more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. Testing capacity is low in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, most cases are not confirmed by lab testing, and the data we have are from a small sample of genomic sequences from the Kamituga region of South Kivu. This show mutations to the clade I virus around September 2023, to a variant termed clade Ib, which is more readily transmissible between people. We do not have much data to compare these viruses with the viruses causing cases in the rest of the country. <h2>Mpox is spreading internationally</h2> In the past month, the virus has spread to countries that share a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Rwanda and Burundi. It has also spread to other east African countries, such as Kenya and Uganda. None of these countries have had mpox cases previously. In an interconnected, mobile world, cases may spread to other continents, as mpox did in 2018 from Nigeria to the United Kingdom and other countries. A few travel-related cases between 2018 and 2019 may have led to the large multi-country 2022 clade IIb epidemic. <h2>We have vaccines, but not where they are needed</h2> As the mpox virus and smallpox viruses are related (they are both orthopoxviruses), smallpox vaccines offer protection against mpox. These vaccines were used to control the 2022 clade IIb epidemic. However, most of the world has never been vaccinated, and has no immunity to mpox. The newer <keyword id="19959412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine" source="keywords">vaccine</keyword> (called Jynneos in some countries and Imvamune or Imvanex in others) is effective. However, supplies are limited, and vaccine is scarce in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. WHO's declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern will help mobilise vaccines to where they are needed. The Africa Centres for Disease Control had already begun negotiations to secure 2,00,000 doses of vaccine, which is a fraction of what is required to control the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. <h2>What happens now?</h2> Ultimately, a serious epidemic anywhere in the world is a concern for all of us, as it can spread globally through travel, as we saw with the COVID pandemic. Controlling it at the source is the best measure, and WHO's latest declaration will help mobilise the required resources. Surveillance for spread of this more serious version of mpox is also essential, bearing in mind that many countries do not have the capacity for widespread testing. So we'll have to rely on "suspected cases", based on a clinical definition, to keep track of the epidemic. Open-source epidemic intelligence - such as using AI to monitor trends in rash and fever illness - can also be used as an early warning system in countries with weak health systems or delayed reporting of cases. A further complication is that 20-30 per cent of people with mpox may simultaneously have chickenpox, an unrelated infection that also causes a rash. So an initial diagnosis of chickenpox (which is easier to test for) does not rule out mpox. Effective communication and tackling push-back against public health measures and disinformation is also key. We saw how important this was during the COVID pandemic. Now, WHO will coordinate the global mpox response, focusing on equity in disease prevention and access to diagnostics and vaccines. It is up to individual countries to do their best to comply with the International Health Regulations, and the protocols for how such a global emergency are managed.

WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency. What happens next?

The government's <keyword id="20039960" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="One-Health-approach" source="keywords">One Health approach</keyword> is vital for both predicting as well as preventing any future <keyword id="21218421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zoonotic-outbreaks" source="keywords">zoonotic outbreaks</keyword> (disease that jumps from animals to humans), health experts opined on Saturday, ahead of the <keyword id="135993" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-day" source="Orion">World Health Day</keyword> which is marked every year on April 7. This year's theme '<keyword id="21218422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="my-health" source="Orion">My Health</keyword>, <keyword id="21218423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="my-right" source="Orion">My Right</keyword>' focuses on equal access to quality health care. "The government's focus on the '<keyword id="6494932" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="one-health" source="Orion">One Health</keyword>' approach, recognising the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, is vital for predicting and preventing future zoonotic disease outbreaks," Dr. Rohit Garg, consultant, infectious disease, Amrita Hospital Faridabad, told IANS. The experts noted that the country's response to recent outbreaks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Nipah virus demonstrates its evolving capacity to manage infectious diseases, adding that lessons from each event have helped the country improve its preparedness for future pandemics, including the hypothetical <keyword id="6328063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Disease-X" source="Orion">Disease X</keyword>. "India's response to recent disease outbreaks has been moulded by our experience with Covid-19. Recent moves to expand the existing network of biosafety-level 3 and 4 laboratories, to expand surveillance for respiratory viruses, invest in diagnostic infrastructure, and formulate a One Health approach towards emerging diseases are welcome and important steps towards tackling such challenges," Gautam Menon, Dean, Research and Professor of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, told IANS. Besides ramping up testing facilities, expanding healthcare infrastructure, contact tracing during the pandemic and the vaccination drive were among India's significant measures. The latter was one of the largest globally, with India also developing an indigenous vaccine, Covaxin, alongside deploying other vaccines. "These actions highlighted the country's ability to mobilise vast resources and innovate under pressure," said Dr Rohit. Similarly, during the Nipah virus outbreaks, although more localised, India employed rapid response teams, enhanced surveillance and implemented containment measures. "India, post-pandemic, is very different in terms of capacity for pathogen surveillance and pandemic prevention or control when compared to pre-pandemic times. This is partly infrastructural, in terms of greater scientific and health capacity, but mostly structural in terms of better-defined roles for existing organisations, and creation of new multi-stakeholder institutions e.g. for OneHealth," Anurag Agrawal, Dean of Bio Sciences and Health Research at Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, told IANS.

You Searched For "The World Health Organisation" and got 12 results

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Over 6,500 adolescent girls die giving birth every year across South Asia, says a recent study

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COVID-19 pandemic caused global life expectancy to fall back to 2012 levels, erasing a decade’s worth of progress: WHO

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