Over the years, one topic has surfaced again and again—in conversations with patients, around family dinner tables, at community events, and more recently in my direct messages: food, gut health, and what it really means to eat well. That is hardly surprising. Nutrition science continues to evolve as new evidence emerges. At the same time, […]
As both a doctor and a mother, I often find myself looking at adolescence through two very different lenses. One comes from years of clinical experience. The other comes from everyday conversations around the dinner table with my own teenager. Those two worlds overlap more than ever. Some of our biggest conversations at home […]
Every day, millions of people search the internet for answers about their health — and every day, they’re met with conflicting information, sponsored content, and advice nobody can verify. AI is only speeding this up. The bigger issue underneath it all? Trust. So a few weeks ago, we turned that question back to you: what […]
I am often asked what “First Check” means. And I get it; it sounds self-explanatory enough. But first check… what, exactly? And how did that even become a name? The answer is simpler than you’d think. And also the whole story. Back in 2019, I would finish a long day at the hospital as […]
When we started First Check back in 2019, misinformation was already something we were worried about. But today, it feels very different. Information doesn’t just reach us anymore; it rushes at us. Through WhatsApp forwards, Instagram reels, YouTube videos, voice notes in family groups. And a lot of it, especially around health, sits in this […]
Vaccination remains one of the most effective scientific tools for preventing disease and saving lives. Since the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974, and its evolution into India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), we’ve come a long way in safeguarding communities across generations. Today, vaccines prevent an estimated 3.5 to 5 million deaths every year, protecting […]
The journey of First Check is rooted in a strong belief in the power of credible and timely information. In public health, access to accurate, evidence-based information is essential to protect lives, guide communities, and strengthen health systems. First Check supports this effort by verifying online claims, debunking unscientific narratives, and expanding access to […]
Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that instead of relying on fact-checkers, Meta’s social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, will leave it to people to fact-check information on their own. While fact-checkers around the world have raised alarms about the move, as a physician, I am afraid that public health may be one of the […]
Today, there is an abundance of information available online. But there is also a significant amount of misinformation. It has become vital to separate fact from fiction. The rise of social media and other tech start-ups has shifted the way people seek information. Rather than consulting qualified experts, many turn to online platforms. Misinformation plays […]
This International Women’s Day, let’s break down the many barriers that women around the world face. Let’s start with mental health. Because her mental health matters. #BreakTheBias