Page 2 - Health Habits

Several steps taken to curb students' suicides, MoS Sukanta Majumdar

The government has taken several steps to curb suicide cases among students, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said on Monday and added that 1.2 per cent of suicides were related to examination failures. Asked about student suicides in Kota, a hub of coaching centres in Rajasthan for competitive examinations, the minister said a number of steps had been taken by the central and the state governments. "Several initiatives have been taken by our government to curb incidents of suicide among students. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) and Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India, only 1.2 per cent of total suicide cases are related to failure in examinations," Majumdar told the House. Speaker Om Birla, the Kota MP, was not in the chair when the question was taken up. The proceedings were being managed by Jagadambika Pal. Majumdar said the Union education ministry had started the 'Manodarpan' initiative for providing psychological support to ...

Most students worldwide lack access to minimum physical education: Report

The majority of the world's schoolchildren still do not have access to the minimum required physical education, according to the first-ever Global Status Report on Quality Physical Education. The report, "Global State of Play", published by UNESCO's education team, revealed that only 58 per cent of the countries have made physical education compulsory for girls and that only 7 per cent of schools worldwide have established equal physical education time for boys and girls. Two-thirds of secondary school students and more than half of primary school students worldwide are not taught the required minimum weekly physical education. An expert from the team told PTI that less than one in two primary school teachers has received specialist training in physical education. The team also flagged major differences in funding for physical education between countries -- two-thirds devote less than 2 per cent of their education budget to it while one country in 10 allocates more than 7 per ...

40 mn people living with HIV in 2023, over 9 mn not getting treatment: UN

Nearly 40 million people were living with the HIV virus that causes AIDS last year, over 9 million weren't getting any treatment, and the result was that every minute someone died of AIDS-related causes, the UN said in a new report launched Monday. While advances are being made to end the global AIDS pandemic, the report said progress has slowed, funding is shrinking, and new infections are rising in three regions: the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America. In 2023, around 6,30,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses, a significant decline from the 2.1 million deaths in 2004. But the latest figure is more than double the target for 2025 of fewer than 2,50,000 deaths, according to the report by UNAIDS, the UN agency leading the global effort to end the pandemic. Gender inequality is exacerbating the risks for girls and women, the report said, citing the extraordinarily high incidence of HIV among adolescents and young women in parts of .

Antidiabetic drug Semaglutide linked to potential vision loss: Study

Researchers say future study required to assess causality

Liver Doc slams Zerodha co-founder for his comments promoting alcohol myths

Liver Doc slams Zerodha co-founder for glamorising alcohol industry as beneficial healthcare. He also highlights his daily experience treating alcohol health issues

World Allergy Week: Tips to avoid monsoon allergies with these rich foods

To manage allergies and lift your body's guards for an allergy-free life, focus around what you eat. Remembering nutrient-rich food sources in your daily diet can help you better your immune system

WHO members approve steps to bolster health regulations for pandemics

The World Health Organization says member countries on Saturday approved a series of new steps to improve global preparedness for and response to pandemics like COVID-19 and mpox. Countries agreed to amend the International Health Regulations, which were adopted in 2005, such as by defining a "pandemic emergency" and helping developing countries gain better access to financing and medical products, WHO said. The agreement came as the UN agency wrapped up its six-day World Health Assembly this year, after plans to adopt a more sweeping pandemic "treaty" at the meeting was shelved largely over disagreements between developing countries and richer ones about better sharing of technology and the pathogens that trigger outbreaks. But countries agreed to complete negotiations on the pandemic accord with the year, "at the latest", WHO said. Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, hailed a "big win for health security", and posted on X that the move "will ...

Britannia NutriChoice launches health monitoring app NutriPlus in India

To mark World Health Day, Britannia plans to make the app accessible to consumers through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store

Gleneagles Healthcare eyes expansion with strategic acquisitions in India

IHH launches new identity Gleneagles Hospitals replacing Gleneagles Global Hospitals

How Ageas Federal Life Insurance MD & CEO stays mentally, physically fit

I don't think there is anything called work-life balance; it is only work-life integration, says Vignesh Shahane

Despite mental health benefits, over 50% women quit exercising: Study

A global study conducted by ASICS found that while reported positive results from exercising, time pressures and social responsibilities led to more than half of them to quit this healthy practice

National Pistachio Day: 5 reasons why eating Pistachios is healthy

The purpose of Pistachio Day is to raise awareness about the health advantages provided by the Pistachios. Individuals across the globe every year on February 26 mark National Pistachio Day

Renowned classical singer Prabha Atre, doyen of Kirana Gharana, dies at 92

Renowned classical singer Dr Prabha Atre passed away following a cardiac arrest at her residence here at the age of 92 early on Saturday, sources close to her said. Atre, who represented the Kirana Gharana of the Hindustani classical music, had been honoured with all three of Padma awards by the Indian government. "Atre suffered a cardiac arrest during her sleep at her residence. She was rushed to a private hospital in Kothrud area of the city, where she was declared dead at 5.30 am," a source said. Since some of the close family members of Atre live abroad, her funeral will be performed once they arrive, the source added. Born on September 13, 1932, Atre was known as a multi-faceted personality. Besides being a classical vocalist, she also excelled as an academician, researcher, composer and author. A science and law graduate, she had a doctorate in music. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian honour, in January 2022. She was earlier honoured

Mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China: Here is what we know so far

The World Health Organisation asked China for detailed information on the increase in the cases of respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children

Study finds why chronic stress drives craving for high-calorie comfort food

Stress was found to turn off the brain's natural response to satiation, which is to stop eating, and thus, encourage rewarding continued eating, in a new study that could explain why we crave high-calorie 'comfort food' when chronically stressed. The study found that this happened in the brain's lateral habenula, which when activated usually dampens reward signals and, thus, stops a person from eating when satiated or full. "Our findings reveal stress can override a natural brain response that diminishes the pleasure gained from eating - meaning the brain is continuously rewarded to eat," said Herbert Herzog, senior author of the study and Visiting Scientist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia. The researchers also said that their study showed how chronic stress could promote weight gain and obesity and, thus, highlighted the need for a healthy diet during stressful times. Their work is published in the journal Neuron. While some people are seen eating le

Muscle & Strength to add 20 more stores in north India by next year

Muscle & Strength's revenue grew by more than 25 per cent during the past one year

New Covid strains, seasonal ailments may spike hospitalisation in winter

13 XBB variants detected in Maharashtra are all under home-isolation; the strain spreads rapidly and is said to be behind the recent spike in Singapore

Stay committed to patients in India and Fortis Healthcare, says IHH

Taking legal advice on next steps to pursue open offer for 26% stake in Fortis

Study shows regular exercise may lower risk of Covid infection, severity

If you exercise regularly, then there are chances you may have a lower risk of Covid-19 infection and severity, including hospital admission and death, finds a new study

Rain check: How to stay healthy and safe in monsoon season

Change your lifestyle and invest in these accessories to shield your skin and digestive system