Report Underscores Nutritional Disparities in Global Food Markets
Context: A recent report by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi) has brought to light significant disparities in the nutritional quality of food and beverage products available in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to those in high-income countries (HICs). This analysis highlights the critical need for better food labeling practices, which could help steer consumers towards […]
About The High-altitude sickness
Context: In September, a trekker from Idukki, Kerala, died in Uttarakhand while attempting to scale Garur Peak due to respiratory failure. Every year, numerous tourists like this succumb to the effects of high-altitude sickness in the pristine but challenging inner Himalayas. These regions present hidden dangers due to their extreme altitudes, where thinner air and […]
Overview of Epilepsy
Context: National Epilepsy Day is marked every year in India on November 17 to raise awareness about the disease, the struggles associated with it, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Relevance: GS II: Health Overview of Epilepsy Epilepsy, commonly referred to as a seizure disorder, is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent […]
Snakebite Envenoming
Context: Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has officially declared snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939. Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: Snakebite Envenoming (SE) Impact of SE Mortality Data WHO’s Strategy Against SE Indian Efforts -Source: Indian Express
Global Tuberculosis Report 2024
Context: According to WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 India has achieved a notable 17.7% decline in tuberculosis (TB) incidence from 2015 to 2023. This decline, exceeding the global average of 8.3%, underscores India’s unwavering commitment to eliminating TB by 2025, under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: Key Findings of the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 Increasing Global TB […]
About The Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Context: Recently, A 16-month-old child with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was chosen for gene therapy and was administered the drug at a private hospital. Relevance: GS II: Health Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the motor neurons—nerve cells in the spinal cord—resulting in muscle wasting and […]
About The Orphan Drugs
Context: India faces significant challenges in ensuring the development, affordability, and accessibility of orphan drugs, especially compared to other countries like the United States and the European Union. Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: Orphan Drugs Classification of Orphan Drugs Orphan drugs are categorized based on the diseases they target, their stage in […]
First in the World Challenge Initiative
Context: Aimed at encouraging Indian scientists to come up with innovative ideas for finding solutions to difficult health problems, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced a new initiative called “First in the World Challenge”. Relevance: GS II: Health About the “First in the World Challenge” Initiative: -Source: The Hindu
Nature and Challenges of Dyslexia
Context: Recently, as part of the nation-wide ‘Act4Dyslexia’ campaign, key monuments in Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Blocks, and India Gate, have been illuminated in red, the colour for Dyslexia Awareness. Relevance: GS II: Health Dyslexia: An Overview Nature and Challenges of Dyslexia: Causes and Inheritance: Legal and Educational Framework: -Source: […]
About The Kala-Azar
Context: India is close to achieving the elimination of Kala-azar as a public health problem, meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) certification criteria. Relevance: GS III- Health, Prelims About Kala Azar There are three types of leishmaniasis The Visceral leishmaniasis, which is commonly known as Kala-azar in India, is fatal in over 95% of the cases, if left untreated. Symptoms of […]