E-cigarettes and e-hookah could become unattainable in India as long-standing efforts by the Centre to ban them amidst the war on tobacco products seem on the cusp of bearing fruit. The Drug and Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has cleared the way for the prohibition of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). This has been a pet […]
noncommunicable diseases
Production of trans fats warning reminds us why action is vital
Even as many countries regulate trans fats, more than five billion people worldwide continued to be exposed to them at risk to their health according to the World Health Organization (WHO). “Momentum is growing for the global elimination of industrially-produced trans fat, with nearly one third of the world’s population in 28 countries now protected […]
World Hypertension Day: Avoid high blood pressure, know your numbers
Hypertension is a silent disease. It affects millions of Indians and responsible for 10.8 percent of deaths in the nation. This year, World Hypertension Day is being observed with the theme “Know Your Numbers”, highlighting the importance of screening for high blood pressure and ensuring it is kept under control. The occasion is observed annually […]
Too much salt is an enemy you need to control and defeat
First, it is important to understand the dangers associated with too much salt and to what extent we are exposed to the risks. A recent study conducted by the George Institute of Global Health, India concludes that “salt intake in India is double [the] WHO prescribed limit of 5gm per day.” Indians consume 9.08 gm […]
Lung cancer: No longer just the disease of non-smokers?
Lung cancer is often thought of as a tobacco user’s disease, but new UK research suggests this may not be the case. Experts say non-smokers account for one in six lung cancer cases in the UK. Professor Paul Cosford – who himself is battling the disease, despite being a non-smoker – said “the absolute numbers […]
Asthma inhalers are bad for the environment
Asthma inhalers are a boon for lung patients, but they are damaging the environment according to UK researchers. The most commonly used asthma inhalers emit, per five doses, the same amount of greenhouse gases as a nine-mile journey by car. This has prompted the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to encourage […]
Gadchiroli: The district where oral cancer takes a toll
The Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra claims a dubious distinction. It is the Indian district with the highest rate of oral cancer. The district is home to more than a million people and reports an estimated 550 cancer cases every year. Oral cancer accounts for 28 percent of these cases, including forty percent of cancers in […]
India fails 83 percent of its cancer patients on treatment
In 2018, cancer killed 784,821 Indians. An estimated 2.25 million Indians are believed to be living with the disease. More than 1.15 million new cases were registered last year alone. These are worrisome figures for Indian policymakers and re-emphasise the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in India. But more worrisome are conclusions from a study […]
The model who smashed the stigma about ovarian cancer
When Canadian model Elly Mayday was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it wasn’t the end of her modelling career. Far from it. In fact, Mayday used her modelling career as a platform, courageously sharing her experience with cancer as she battled the disease. Mayday passed away on March 1st this year. In remembering her story, we […]
Why your desk job is a risk to your health
A new study has established a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the kind of sector of work among urban Indians. The research, published in the journal Economics and Human Biology, suggests a positive correlation between a high BMI – an indicator of obesity – and labour market activity. Put simply, the study could […]