Re-creating live-animal markets in the lab lets researchers see how pathogens like coronavirus jump species

Within markets like the one in Wuhan, there are abundant opportunities for the type of interactions that promote pathogen transmission among species

Arun Jaitley launches 'world's largest health scheme'; is there a catch?

The National Health Protection Scheme, a flagship public health insurance programme, was announced by the Finance Minister in his 2015-16 budget …

Fungal infections in the brain aren’t just the stuff of movies — Africa grapples with a deadly epidemic

With poorly funded and overburdened healthcare systems, many African countries are not well prepared to deal with fungal infections

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 3, 2023)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal  

Cannabis-derived products have flooded US market — Two immunologists explain medicinal benefits and potential risks

Products like delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC are rapidly proliferating; there are many unknowns about their safety and psychoactive …

12 African countries commit to ending AIDS in kids by 2030

Early HIV testing, eliminating vertical transmission and addressing social and structural barriers in plan of action

Paediatric eczema finds relief in new drug

Significant improvement in itching with dupilumab medication for severe cases aged 6 months to 5 years 

Climate change will cause more African children to die from hot weather

There were between 12,000 and 19,000 heat-related child deaths per year in Africa from 2011 through 2020

How Nuh’s maternal mortality rate dropped 32 points in just 4 years

Incentivising institutional deliveries don’t necessarily ensure a pregnant woman’s nutritional health 

When safety measures lead to riskier behavior by more people

There, however, are people who sit out risky ventures even when they are made safer

1.5 crore people didn’t avail Ujjwala loan benefit, 1.2 crore didn’t go for refill

While the scheme is touted as one providing free LPG connections to the poor, the cost of the first connection under PMUY is set at Rs 3,200

Economic Survey 2022-23: Health not a priority? Just over 2% of GDP spent

Out-of-pocket-expenses remained dangerously high till 2019-2020

WHO launches ‘CoViNet’ — a global laboratory to monitor emerging coronaviruses

Builds on COVID-19 reference laboratory network established during early days of pandemic to confirm disease

In the shadow of COVID-19, Bhopal gas disaster survivors

All six reported COVID-19 deaths in Bhopal victims of gas tragedy  

Ozone levels increase in Delhi, pose health risk

This could lead to a public health crisis as ozone is extremely hazardous to human health

Drugs and religion have been a potent combination for millennia, from cannabis at ancient funerary sites to psychedelic retreats today

The current ‘psychedelic renaissance’ is often called revolutionary for future of humans

70% of all maternal deaths in 2020 were in sub-Saharan Africa: UN report

Not only is sub-Saharan Africa the fulcrum of maternal deaths, but most HIV-related indirect maternal deaths also occur here

Not enough women in World Health Assembly: Some countries may need a century for gender parity

Southeast Asia inching closer to the 50%; No WHA had more than 30% women chief delegates, finds study

WHO approval to South Africa’s vaccine regulatory body

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority ranked at maturity level 3 out of 4 classification levels

Is monkeypox sexually transmissible? What does research suggest

Semen samples show prolonged shedding of virus DNA for weeks after symptoms onset  

Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Himachal top Down to Earth’s governance rankings

Down To Earth’s State of India’s Environment 2020: In Figures  releases on June 4, 2020

Draft Public Health Bill restrictive, unclear: experts

They raise concern over the sudden introduction of the bill and its covert focus on bioterrorism

African swine fever: Forgotten contagion

Viruses, it seems, are at war with life forms. While the world is struggling with the novel coronavirus, another one has been killing pigs, …

El Nino and rising temperatures can lead to uptick of malaria in Ethiopia, warns research

Study finds link between malaria outbreaks and El Nino events in the country

World Health Assembly adopts resolution to prevent drowning

First-of-its-kind alliance, global status report to asses worldwide impact