Public health news

World diabetes Day Nov 14

Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support from
WHO in response to growing concerns about the health and economic threat
posed by diabetes, World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006.

World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a

global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually,
for better prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.
This year, 2023, the World Diabetes Day theme is “Access to diabetes care”.
The theme highlights the importance of having equal access to the right
information and essential care to ensure people get timely treatment and
management
FDA Approves First Vaccine to Prevent Disease Caused
by Chikungunya Virus Nov 9
U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ixchiq, the first chikungunya vaccine.
Ixchiq is approved for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased
risk of exposure to chikungunya virus.Ixchiq is administered as a single dose (0.5
ml) by injection into the muscle. It contains a live, weakened version of the
chikungunya virus and may cause symptoms in the vaccine recipient similar to
those experienced by people who have chikungunya disease.
The safety of Ixchiq was evaluated in two clinical studies conducted in North
America in which about 3,500 participants 18 years of age and older received a
dose of the vaccine with one study including about 1,000 participants who
received a placebo. The most commonly reported side effects by vaccine
recipients were headache, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, nausea and
tenderness at the injection site.
Surgeons in New York announce world's first eye
transplant Nov 11
The recipient of the eye, Aaron James, is a 46-year-old military veteran from Arkansas who
survived a work-related high-voltage electrical accident that destroyed the left side of his
face, his nose, his mouth and his left eye. The transplant surgery took 21 hours.To
encourage healing of the connection between the donor and recipient optic nerves, surgeons
harvested adult stem cells from the donor’s bone marrow and injected them into the optic
nerve during the transplant, hoping they would replace damaged cells and protect the nerve.
“The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about,
but it's never been performed,” said Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, who led the team
 Uthiram uyarthuvom
Program started on Nov 14, 2023 by CRMI’s and medical students in Government
medical college Dindugul
World COPD Day Nov 15
First COPD day was held in 2002 World COPD Day is a global healthcare event to raise awareness of
COPD amongst the public around the world

2022 copd theme - "Your Lungs for Life"

2023 copd theme - " breathing is Life -Act Earlier"

This theme highlights early attention to Lung health Timely, identification, Preventive actions

William Briscoe is believed to be the first person to use the term COPD in discussion at 9th Aspen
emphysema conference, this term became established,
WHO updates guidelines on
treatments for COVID-19

High: People who are immunosuppressed remain at higher risk if they contract COVID-19,
with an estimated hospitalization rate of 6%.

Moderate: People over 65 years old, those with conditions like obesity, diabetes and/or
chronic conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney or liver disease,
cancer, people with disabilities and those with comorbidities of chronic disease are at
moderate risk, with an estimated hospitalization rate of 3%.

Low: Those who are not in the high or moderate risk categories are at low risk of
hospitalization (0.5%). Most people are low risk.
Treatment
At high risk and moderate risk: nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (also known by its brand name
‘Paxlovid’-was first recommended by WHO in April 2022)

low risk :WHO does not recommend any antiviral therapy. Symptoms like fever and pain
can continue to be managed with analgesics like paracetamol.

The update also includes a strong recommendation against the use of ivermectin for
patients with non-severe COVID-19.
Working under the sun causes 1 in
3 deaths from non-melanoma skin
cancer, say WHO and ILO

The research released in Environment International finds that outdoor workers

carry a large and increasing burden of non-melanoma skin cancer and calls for
action to prevent this serious workplace hazard and the loss of workers’ lives it
causes.

The estimates establish occupational exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation as the

work-related risk factor with the third highest attributable burden of cancer deaths
globally.
Unprotected exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation at work is a major cause of
occupational skin cancer,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO
Director-General. “But there are effective solutions to protect workers from the
sun’s harmful rays, and prevent their deadly effects.”