About Sjögren’s Disease
Context: Experts say that Sjogren’s disease in India is a silent epidemic, underdiagnosed and poorly understood. Relevance: GS II: Health About Sjögren’s disease: Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune condition characterized by the immune system’s attack on the body’s moisture-producing glands. Here are some essential details about this disorder: -Source: The Hindu
2024 Index Report Assesses Pharmaceutical Efforts in Expanding Access to Medicine
Context: The Access to Medicine Foundation recently released its 2024 Index Report, which evaluates the efforts of pharmaceutical companies to improve access to medicines in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). This assessment highlights the various strategies and initiatives pharmaceutical companies are undertaking to address health care disparities despite persistent challenges. Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions […]
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