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The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Global childhood vaccination slowed by pandemic: study
GUWAHATI Global childhood vaccination rates, hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, did not return to the pre-pandemic levels by 2023, a study published in The Lancet has revealed. The study also marked India among eight countries that accounted for more than half of the world's 15.7 million 'zero-dose' children in 2023. Zero-dose refers to children who did not receive the first dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP). The other seven countries are Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Somalia, and Sudan. 'The study highlights the progress and challenges in global childhood vaccination efforts from 1980 to 2023. it shows that the coverage for key vaccines for DTP, measles, polio, and tuberculosis nearly doubled over this period, but the positive trend hides some worrying developments,' Hemen Sarma, an associate professor at Assam's Bodoland University, said on July 24, 2025. A GBD (Global Burden of Diseases) senior collaborator with the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Mr Sarma is one of the authors of the study involving researchers worldwide. The study underscored the slowdown in the vaccination progress in many countries and territories between 2010 and 2019, with 21 out of 36 high-income nations witnessing a drop in coverage for at least one vaccine. It said the COVID-19 pandemic made things worse, 'with global rates for these vaccines declining sharply since 2020, and still not returning to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels as of 2023'. 'Vaccines introduced more recently, such as those for pneumonia, rotavirus, and the second dose of the measles vaccine, continued to expand during the pandemic, but at a slower pace. Only the third dose of DTP is expected to meet the global target of 90% coverage by 2030, and that too in the most optimistic scenarios,' Mr Sarma said. One of the concerns underlined by the study was the rise in the number of zero-dose children during the pandemic after dropping sharply from 1980 to 2019, peaking at 18.6 million in 2021. Most of these children live in conflict zones or areas with limited healthcare access, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The study has warned that unless urgent action is taken, global immunisation targets will not be met. It called for focused efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, fight vaccine misinformation, and reach the most underserved communities, especially in Africa and South Asia. Campaigns like the World Health Organisation's 'Big Catch-Up' and efforts to restore routine immunisation must prioritise these areas to regain lost ground and ensure every child is protected, the study said. The study has provided updated global, regional, and national estimates of routine childhood vaccine coverage across 204 countries and territories for 11 vaccine-dose combinations recommended by WHO for all children globally. Employing advanced modelling techniques, this analysis accounted for data biases and heterogeneity and integrated new methodologies to model vaccine scale-up and COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions. To contextualise historic coverage trends and gains still needed to achieve the WHO's Immunisation Agenda 2030 coverage targets, the researchers assessed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine coverage, forecast coverage of select life-course vaccines up to 2030, and analysed the progress needed to reduce the number of zero-dose children by half between 2023 and 2030.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Skin cancer surges worldwide in older men in last 30 years: Study
New Delhi: There has been a sharp uptick in the burden of skin cancer, especially in older adults, in the last three decades, according to a study. Besides ageing, researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China attributed the surge to the increase in population growth. The study also cited a disproportionately higher burden of skin cancers in countries with higher sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. 'The older population (particularly male individuals and those living in high-SDI countries) is facing a substantial growing burden of skin cancer,' said the team in the paper published in JAMA Dermatology. 'The results highlight the urgency for more effective prevention and management strategies targeting high-risk groups,' they added. In the study, researchers analysed about 4.4 million new skin-cancer cases -- melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma -- recorded in 2021 among older adults aged above 65 years and older. The data is based on the Global Burden of Diseases 2021, covering 204 countries and territories. The findings showed that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma -- that starts as a growth of cells on the skin -- soared by roughly 2 per cent per year from 1990 to 2021. Basal cell carcinoma -- most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, such as the face; and melanoma -- the most serious type of skin cancer -- showed similarly steady gains. Further, the study found that squamous cell carcinoma produced the steepest toll in terms of healthy years lost (DALYs) by 2021 compared with three decades earlier. New Zealand and Australia recorded the highest 65 and older melanoma rates in 2021. East Asia experienced the most rapid rise in basal cell carcinoma burden from 1990 to 2021, with average annual percentage increases exceeding 6 per cent for incidence, prevalence, and DALYs. "These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and resource allocation to address the growing public health challenge of skin cancer among the ageing population,' the researchers said.
Washington Post
24-03-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
More than 3 billion people had some type of oral disease in 2021
Worldwide, 3.69 billion people had an oral disease in 2021, according to a study published recently in the Lancet. The main oral conditions affecting people were untreated cavities, inflammatory gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth loss (edentulism). Untreated cavities affected an estimated 27,500 per 100,000 people, whereas periodontitis affected around 12,500 per 100,000 people. The researchers analyzed data from the 2021 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study. The report found relatively small changes in prevalence or burden of oral diseases from 1990 to 2021. However, there were 'substantial variations' across regions as defined by the World Health Organization. The African and Eastern Mediterranean regions showed the largest increases in prevalent cases and disability-adjusted life years for most oral conditions. Countries in the European region showed the smallest increases or no change, and Europe was the only region with a decreasing prevalence of cavities. The burden of lip and oral cancer also decreased in both the European and American regions. According to the WHO, oral health is a key indicator of overall health and quality of life. The study argues that past and current efforts to control oral conditions have not been successful, and more needs to be done to curb the burden of disease worldwide. 'The burden of oral conditions has remained largely unchanged and at a high level over the past 30 years,' the authors write. 'Without any sizeable and impactful action there will be little change in the burden of oral conditions at a global, regional and national level.' This article is part of The Post's 'Big Number' series, which takes a brief look at the statistical aspect of health issues. Additional information and relevant research are available through the hyperlinks.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Obesity will affect over half of adults in 25 years, study predicts
Obesity has long been classified as a global epidemic — and new data published in The Lancet journal spotlights how much worse it could get. A team of researchers found that in 2021, one billion men and 1.11 billion women over 25 years of age worldwide qualified as overweight or obese — twice as many as in 1990. In 2021, more than half of the world's overweight and obese adults lived in eight countries: China (402 million), India (180 million), the U.S. (172 million), Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million), and Egypt (41 million), according to a press release. This Disease Kills More People Than All Cancers And Accidents Combined If the increase continues at this same pace, the study projects that more than half (57.4%) of men and 60.3% of women will be overweight or obese by 2050. The three countries expected to have the highest rates of overweight or obesity by 2050 are China (627 million people), India (450 million) and the U.S. (214 million). Read On The Fox News App The study also found that by 2050, nearly one-quarter of obese adults will be 65 or older. The researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, spanning 204 countries and territories. Ozempic's Health Benefits Keep Growing, But Are The Risks Worth It? "The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure," said lead author Professor Emmanuela Gakidou from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, in the release. "Governments and the public health community can use our country-specific estimates on the stage, timing and speed of current and forecasted transitions in weight to identify priority populations experiencing the greatest burdens of obesity who require immediate intervention and treatment, and those that remain predominantly overweight and should be primarily targeted with prevention strategies." Another finding was that "more recent generations are gaining weight faster than previous ones and obesity is occurring earlier." This increases the risk of younger people developing obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and multiple cancers. There were some limitations to the study, the researchers acknowledged. "Predictions are constrained by the quantity and quality of past data as well as systemic biases from self-reported data, which are likely to remain despite attempts to correct for bias," they wrote. They also noted that the definition of overweight and obesity is based on BMI (body mass index), "which does not account for variations in body structure across ethnic groups and subpopulations." The study also did not take into account the effects of GLP-1 anti-obesity medications and other interventions. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert at Senolytix, called out obesity as the "single greatest modifiable threat to longevity, economic stability and national security." "Yet, instead of confronting the problem head-on, our culture continues to coddle bad habits, normalize obesity and abandon personal responsibility," he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Weight Loss May Be Helped By Drinking This, Study Suggests "This crisis is not about food deserts genetics or corporate greed — it's about choices. And we are making the wrong ones." The obesity crisis can be linked to sedentary lifestyles, ultraprocessed foods and an "entitlement mentality that demands a pill for every problem," according to Osborn. "The reality is simple: Obesity is caused by caloric surplus and a lack of movement," he said. "When you consistently eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. Period." If cases rise to the study's projections by 2050, Osborn warned that "obesity-related diseases will cripple healthcare systems worldwide." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "The recent Lancet study projects over 1.3 billion global diabetes cases and more than two million obesity-driven cancers annually," he said. "Cardiovascular disease will double in prevalence across multiple regions, and the economic burden will exceed $4 trillion per year. This is unsustainable." "Our healthcare system was never designed to support a world where over half the population has a preventable, self-inflicted disease." The fight against obesity isn't about aesthetics, Osborn said — "nor is this a personal affront to overweight or categorically obese people. This is about survival." "The world has two choices: Act aggressively now or pay an unfathomable price later," he went on. "The time to fight obesity — relentlessly and unapologetically — is now." For more Health articles, visit The study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was conducted by the GBD 2021 Adolescent and Adult BMI Collaborators. Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for article source: Obesity will affect over half of adults in 25 years, study predicts
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Obesity will affect over half of adults in 25 years, study predicts
Obesity has long been classified as a global epidemic — and new data published in The Lancet journal spotlights how much worse it could get. A team of researchers found that in 2021, one billion men and 1.11 billion women over 25 years of age worldwide qualified as overweight or obese — twice as many as in 1990. In 2021, more than half of the world's overweight and obese adults lived in eight countries: China (402 million), India (180 million), the U.S. (172 million), Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million), and Egypt (41 million), according to a press release. This Disease Kills More People Than All Cancers And Accidents Combined If the increase continues at this same pace, the study projects that more than half (57.4%) of men and 60.3% of women will be overweight or obese by 2050. The three countries expected to have the highest rates of overweight or obesity by 2050 are China (627 million people), India (450 million) and the U.S. (214 million). Read On The Fox News App The study also found that by 2050, nearly one-quarter of obese adults will be 65 or older. The researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, spanning 204 countries and territories. Ozempic's Health Benefits Keep Growing, But Are The Risks Worth It? "The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure," said lead author Professor Emmanuela Gakidou from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, in the release. "Governments and the public health community can use our country-specific estimates on the stage, timing and speed of current and forecasted transitions in weight to identify priority populations experiencing the greatest burdens of obesity who require immediate intervention and treatment, and those that remain predominantly overweight and should be primarily targeted with prevention strategies." Another finding was that "more recent generations are gaining weight faster than previous ones and obesity is occurring earlier." This increases the risk of younger people developing obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and multiple cancers. There were some limitations to the study, the researchers acknowledged. "Predictions are constrained by the quantity and quality of past data as well as systemic biases from self-reported data, which are likely to remain despite attempts to correct for bias," they wrote. They also noted that the definition of overweight and obesity is based on BMI (body mass index), "which does not account for variations in body structure across ethnic groups and subpopulations." The study also did not take into account the effects of GLP-1 anti-obesity medications and other interventions. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert at Senolytix, called out obesity as the "single greatest modifiable threat to longevity, economic stability and national security." "Yet, instead of confronting the problem head-on, our culture continues to coddle bad habits, normalize obesity and abandon personal responsibility," he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Weight Loss May Be Helped By Drinking This, Study Suggests "This crisis is not about food deserts genetics or corporate greed — it's about choices. And we are making the wrong ones." The obesity crisis can be linked to sedentary lifestyles, ultraprocessed foods and an "entitlement mentality that demands a pill for every problem," according to Osborn. "The reality is simple: Obesity is caused by caloric surplus and a lack of movement," he said. "When you consistently eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. Period." If cases rise to the study's projections by 2050, Osborn warned that "obesity-related diseases will cripple healthcare systems worldwide." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "The recent Lancet study projects over 1.3 billion global diabetes cases and more than two million obesity-driven cancers annually," he said. "Cardiovascular disease will double in prevalence across multiple regions, and the economic burden will exceed $4 trillion per year. This is unsustainable." "Our healthcare system was never designed to support a world where over half the population has a preventable, self-inflicted disease." The fight against obesity isn't about aesthetics, Osborn said — "nor is this a personal affront to overweight or categorically obese people. This is about survival." "The world has two choices: Act aggressively now or pay an unfathomable price later," he went on. "The time to fight obesity — relentlessly and unapologetically — is now." For more Health articles, visit The study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was conducted by the GBD 2021 Adolescent and Adult BMI Collaborators. Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for article source: Obesity will affect over half of adults in 25 years, study predicts
