Health Matters newsletter: healthy beginnings for healthy futures
On the growing burden of malnutrition among married women in South Asia, drug-resistant infections, new research hinting at answers to old questions, updates in medical education, and more.
When does good health begin? Is it in our 20s and 30s, when we begin to take exercise and healthy food seriously? Or does it begin earlier, in our childhood and adolescence? Or even earlier maybe, in the womb? Research now suggests that it may perhaps begin prior to conception -- with the health of the mother-to-be. And it is now becoming increasingly clear that it is this health that must be prioritised. Far more attention needs to be paid to the health of young women before they become pregnant, because good health then, and afterwards, could potentially help begin life on a healthy note.
This has become an urgent matter of concern, if the findings of a recent analysis published in the The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia are anything to go by: there is a growing burden of malnutrition among married women in South Asia prior to conceiving, with the prevalence of being overweight surpassing that of being underweight. Urbanisation, migration, along with an increased availability of ultra-processed foods, even in rural areas, have driven a higher intake of fats, sugars, and calories, contributing to a worsening nutritional status, the authors said. The analysis also found that anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies were areas of concern.
During pregnancy, there may be other health issues that need resolving: managing gestational diabetes for instance. Unlike type 1 or type 2 diabetes, this form of diabetes occurs when hormones from the placenta interfere with insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. How do you navigate this? Dr. K. Baraneedharan explains.
Staying on our theme of reproductive health for the moment, but moving just a tad to genital health, do read this piece by Neelanjana Rai, who asks if pubic hair is really as unhygienic as it is made out to be? Or does it serve a useful purpose in safeguarding our health?
In other health news this week, we have a number of articles on interesting research for you to dig into: Ramya Kannan decodes a study that found only 7.8% of patients with drug-resistant infections in India received an appropriate antibiotic. Lack of access to appropriate treatment for such serious infections increases morbidity and mortality, besides driving up health care costs and prolonging hospitalisation. She also delves into research on a 'non contact' wearable that can study the streams of molecular substances that pass through the skin, as a measure of studying the health status of individual. Vasudevan Mukunth breaks down the case of an American man, Timothy Friede, who had subjected himself to more than 200 snakebites and 700 injections of venom over 18 years: researchers have found that a combination of antibodies in Mr. Friede's blood and a drug called varespladib could shield mice against 13 kinds of venom and partially defend against six more.
This, the latest in a number of studies linking long-term exposure to chemicals with health hazards, states that daily exposure to phthalates -- commonly used in making household plastic items -- has been related to over 3.5 lakh deaths in the world due to heart disease in 2018, among those aged 55-64, with India recording the highest number of deaths. This study may answer that perplexing question: how do the Haenyeo, a unique group of women in South Korea's Jeju Island dive up to 10 metres underwater with no oxygen tanks? And finally, stark news from what is afflicting us most this month: the blistering heat -- at least 35,000 lives were lost in India due to exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures between 2001 and 2019, a new study has found. The effects are already being felt this year: Siddharth Kumar Singh writes on how soaring temperatures are exposing Telangana's fragile health and social systems.
When it comes to news from India, Bindu Shajan Perappadan reports that to increase the faculty pool for medical colleges across the country, the National Medical Commission has said that specialists working in non-teaching government healthcare institutes such as defence and railway medical facilities would be eligible to work as faculty members in medical colleges. And on that note, Dr. Balaji Singh and Dr. Sree Kumar E.J. highlight the role simulation can play in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Kerala is seeing an uptick in rabies cases, reports A. S. Jayanth, while Afshan Yasmeen from Karnataka reports on a rise in dengue cases.
Our tailpiece for this week is Dr. C. Aravinda's article on the great porn experiment of the 20th century: it is, he says, one of the largest unregulated psychological natural experiments in human history. Do read to find out why!
Here's a diverse range of explainers for you:
I write on those pesky little squiggles that sometimes dance in front of your eyes: eye floaters.
This piece demystifies Marfan Syndrome.
Dr. Surendran Veeraiah explains why psycho-oncology forms a crucial component of cancer care
Dr. Priya Selvaraj writes on recent cost-cutting technologies in IVF.
Dr. Prince James busts myths around asthma.
Dr. Monisha Madhumita cautions against using adulterated henna.
Dr. Santhya S.T. says the smallest of acts -- regular hand-washing -- can make a big impact, health wise.
Rashikkha Ra Iyer details how fostering intellectual wellness could mitigate cognitive decline in populations.
Athira Elssa Johnson unpacks issues around vocal cord disorders.
Sruthi Darbhamulla looks back at the mammoth Covid-19 vaccination drive in India.
And finally, here's what you need to know about vaccine-preventable diseases and their rise, globally.
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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
US-backed Gaza aid group names evangelical as chairman
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
US grocery prices: Sticker shock: How U.S. grocery bills stack up against Mexico, Canada, and China in surprising price reveal
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Harvard battles $2.5 Billion US funding cut, cites risks to national security, public health research
Harvard University on Monday asked a federal judge to issue a summary judgment ordering the unfreezing of $2.5 billion in federal research funding that has been halted by the Trump administration, which Harvard says is illegal. The university contends that the freeze jeopardizes over 950 critical research projects, including those related to national security and public health. In a filing with the US district court in Boston, Harvard argues that the funding suspension is both unlawful and politically motivated. The university asserts that the freeze violates its rights to free speech and due process and undermines academic independence. Trump has been attempting to force change at Harvard and other top American universities, because of his view that these have been captured by the left-wing woke and has led to the rise of antisemitism. The Trump administration has not yet responded to this latest move by the university. US district judge Allison Burroughs has set July 21 for the arguments on the Harvard case seeking summary judgement, which refers to a request to the judge to decide a dispute without a trial to determine material facts. Impact on vital research The funding freeze affects a wide array of research initiatives, including studies on cancer, infectious diseases, and biological threat awareness for the department of defence. A defence advanced research projects agency (DARPA) official highlighted in court documents that canceling a $12 million grant for biological threat research at Harvard could pose "grave and immediate harm to national security." Additionally, the freeze threatens research in areas such as pediatric HIV and dark energy, potentially hindering advancements in both medical and scientific fields. Political tensions and retaliation claims Harvard's legal challenge comes amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration. The university alleges that the funding freeze is a retaliatory measure following its refusal to comply with a list of demands from the White House, which included changes to hiring practices and student discipline regulations. Besides, multiple other investigations have been opened into Harvard, including some looking into threats against Jewish students and faculty after pro-Palestine protests broke out following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Further escalating the situation, the administration attempted to revoke Harvard's certification under the student and exchange visitor program, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students. This move was temporarily halted by a federal judge, but it has added to the university's concerns about political interference in academic affairs.
