climate change - First Check

14
Jan

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Is climate change fueling the spread of the ‘brain-eating amoeba’? Study reveals

Sakshi Srivastava / 6 months
0
11 min read

A new perspective study published in the journal ‘Biocontaminant’ has flagged a growing but largely overlooked global health threat, free-living amoebae, a group of microscopic organisms that thrive in soil and water and, in rare cases, can cause fatal infections in humans. Scientists warn that climate change, ageing water infrastructure, and gaps in surveillance systems are creating conditions […]

08
Dec

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How climate change is silently crippling India’s health goals

Sakshi Srivastava / 7 months
0
9 min read

Climate change is increasingly being recognised not just as an environmental threat, but as a significant driver of adverse health outcomes. Studies over the years have linked climate-related events to health challenges such as cancers and maternal complications, and have said it can even fuel anxiety, depression, and stress because of a concept called solastalgia. Against this backdrop of growing evidence […]

27
May

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Climate change fuels spread of deadly fungi, putting millions at risk: Study

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
3 min read

Climate change is fueling the spread of dangerous fungi, putting millions of people at risk of severe infections, according to a new study from the University of Manchester. The research warns that rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns are enabling fungi like Aspergillus to thrive in new regions, threatening public health across Europe, Asia, […]

22
May

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Climate change isn’t just physical, it’s psychological too

Riyaz Wani / 1 year
0
3 min read

As climate disasters multiply, a quieter but equally alarming crisis is unfolding across India and the globe: the toll of climate change on our mental health. From floods and droughts to rising heat and humidity, environmental disruptions are triggering a range of mental health disorders, often silently. The scientific evidence to this effect has only […]

22
Mar

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Climate change-induced Solastalgia fuels anxiety, depression, PTSD, says psychologist

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
12 min read

Rural communities are closely tied to their environment, with traditions and daily activities shaped by the natural world. As climate change disrupts these environmental patterns, it is causing significant emotional and psychological distress. This distress is often linked to ‘Solastalgia’, a psychological experience triggered by degradation of the environment around oneself. Research examines the emotional […]

14
Sep

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Climate change trumps political uncertainty in priorities for global executives: report

First Check Team / 2 years
0
2 min read

85% of executives increased their investments in sustainability so far this year, up from 75% in 2023 Climate change remains a top priority for global C-suite executives, surpassing concerns such as political uncertainty, talent competition, and evolving regulatory environments, a new Deloitte report has revealed. The report highlighted that 85% of executives have increased their […]

23
Jul

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The impact of climate change on lung cancer in Asia: The Lancet

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Environmental and lifestyle factors lead to early onset of lung cancer. In India, lung cancer typically manifests about a decade earlier than in Western countries. The intersection of climate change and lung cancer in Asia presents an urgent and complex public health challenge that demands urgent action. As climate change continues to amplify the burden […]

06
Jun

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Climate change poses significant health challenges for kids, elders, pregnant women: Study

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Nearly 2,50,000 additional deaths per year are estimated from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress due to climate change between 2030 and 2050. As 2023 was the warmest year on record in over 170 years, with numerous climate emergencies like wildfires, cyclones, flooding, and extreme heat, serious health complications are arising for pregnant women, newborns, […]

05
Jun

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#IToldYouSo: Act before it’s too late when it comes to climate change

Jisha Krishnan / 2 years
0
2 min read

As the results of the world’s largest democratic elections unfolded yesterday, four words echoed everywhere. Those who supported the victors, those who sympathised with the other contenders, just about everyone I know, said the same thing – I told you so! “The four most beautiful words in our common language,” as American writer Gore Vidal […]

09
Feb

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Fact-check: Meatless diet can help fight climate change

Deepika Khurana / 2 years
0
3 min read

About 15% of global greenhouse emissions result from livestock farming, nearly equivalent to those generated by the transportation sector. Is it healthier for the planet if humans stop consuming meat? That’s the question a reader asked First Check. After going through the scientific evidence – there’s a lot of promising research happening in this area […]

19
Jan

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Climate change: Warm winters set new temperature records globally

Riyaz Wani / 2 years
0
3 min read

Disruption of winter upsets a series of vital environmental processes that nourish life on earth. Kashmir Valley, one of India’s coldest places, is witnessing an unusually warm winter with day temperature hovering over 15 degrees Celsius, at par with the capital city, New Delhi. In the middle of winter, spring is in the air. Trees […]

04
Jan

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Climate change debate: putting health first

Riyaz Wani / 3 years
0
3 min read

Despite the enormous global attention being paid to climate change, its fallout on health is only now being recognised Recent studies on climate change have painted a very grim picture of its immediate and long-term fallout on health. The trend has been exacerbated over the last few years during which extreme weather events have caused […]

08
Dec

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Explainer: How climate change causes a surge in dengue cases

Florica Brahma / 3 years
0
2 min read

The transmission of dengue is intricately linked to three pivotal factors, namely, rainfall, humidity, and temperature, which can create an optimal environment for the multiplication of mosquitoes carrying the disease. As the dengue cases continue to surge, the association between climate change and the dynamics of pathogen-vector and host relationships is hard to ignore. There […]

05
Nov

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Google, YouTube fix digital ads policy to curb climate change misinformation

Abeen Shayiq / 5 years
0
3 min read

The new policy against violating publisher content, Google-served ads, and monetised YouTube videos come into effect from November 2021.

02
Nov

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What The Fact – India blames women for climate change woes

Varadarajan Ananthakrishnan / 5 years
0
3 min read

There is a sizeable section that peddles misinformation, mis-attributes natural calamities to everything but climate change, and spreads canards about menstruating and jeans-wearing women as being the cause of disasters.

25
Nov

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COP29 highlights urgency of health action amid climate crisis

First Check Team / 2 years
0
4 min read

Health emerged as one of the major issues at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), which concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 22. Recognising the increasing risks that climate change poses to global health, the conference highlighted the importance of integrating health considerations into climate policies. A major highlight of COP29 was the establishment […]

17
Nov

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Antimicrobial resistance as urgent as climate action: WHO chief

First Check Team / 2 years
0
4 min read

The action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is “equally as urgent as climate action,” Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the Fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance which began Friday in Jeddah. “AMR doesn’t just threaten to make the medicines on which we depend less effective; it’s happening […]

16
Dec

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Exodus from Sundarbans: India’s climate refugees need help

Sadia Azim / 3 years
0
6 min read

The sea-level rise, frequent cyclonic storms, and disappearing islands of the Sundarban delta are creating climate refugees in large numbers. India must acknowledge them for the climate action plan before it gets late. Twenty-five-year-old Sumit Pramanik is a mechanical engineer working five days a week in Kolkata, India. Every Friday evening, he packs his bag […]

12
Dec

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The mental health fallout of climate carnage

Riyaz Wani / 3 years
0
3 min read

Mental health issues could become widespread as climate change threatens to worsen and extreme weather events become more frequent, upending people’s lives Many people consider autumn to be one of the best seasons of the year. It is a delight to watch the leaves turn yellow and temperatures mellow down. In some regions, cicada courtship […]

11
Dec

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Pandemic of Climate Depression

Riyaz Wani / 3 years
0
3 min read

The growing levels of anxiety connected to climate change were attempted to be quantified in research published in 2021 by The Lancet. It was found that 84 percent of the young people polled were “moderately worried” about climate change, while 59 percent of them were “extremely worried.” More than half of the respondents claimed to have felt depressed, nervous, angry, guilty, or helpless as a result of climate change, and 45 percent said that their concern over it had a detrimental influence on their everyday life.

04
Dec

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Climate discourse taking centre stage

Riyaz Wani / 3 years
0
3 min read

While growing scientific evidence has raised the climate consciousness in the world, politics has also played a distinct role Over the last two years, climate change seems to have got much wider political and media attention around the world. It is apparent from the increasing frequency of statements on the phenomenon from world leaders and […]

16
Nov

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370% rise in heat-related deaths by 2050 if climate goals unmet: The Lancet report

First Check Team / 3 years
0
3 min read

The 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change highlights how the health of humanity is at grave risk. The 2023 report of the ‘Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: the imperative for a health-centred response in a world facing irreversible harms’, released earlier this week, provides a disturbing glimpse of […]

03
Jan

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Social media listening crucial for tackling infodemic’s impact on health: Study

First Check Team / 3 years
0
3 min read

There is growing evidence of the impact of the infodemic on non-communicable diseases, climate change, vaccine acceptance, and mental health, among many other health concerns. A recent study says that social listening and integrated analysis to generate infodemic insights are the first step in managing the infodemic.

22
Oct

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Theories linking women and “sins of people” to natural calamities are absurd, and wrong

N Ahmad / 5 years
0
4 min read

Absurd theories float around natural calamities that blame females and human sins instead of climate change

17
Jun

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As Kerala battles Shigella threat, WHO warns unsafe food sickens 866 million people worldwide

Arijit Gupta / 4 weeks
0
6 min read

Unsafe food causes an estimated 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths worldwide each year, with young children bearing a disproportionate share of the burden, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization. The report found that children under the age of five, who make up just 9 per cent of the global population, […]

25
May

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Is the world becoming more vulnerable to future pandemics? Here’s what the WHO-backed report says

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
11 min read

As parts of Central Africa continue to battle fresh Ebola outbreaks, while concerns around hantavirus, mpox and avian influenza also remains active, a new international report has delivered a stark warning: the world may actually be becoming more vulnerable to future pandemics despite the painful lessons of COVID-19. Amidst these repeated outbreaks and growing fears around […]

01
May

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Explained: What is electrolyte imbalance — and why it matters in a harsh summer

First Check Team / 2 months
0
6 min read

As temperatures climb across India, terms like “electrolyte imbalance” and “heat stroke” are increasingly entering everyday conversation. But beyond the buzzwords lies a serious public health risk, one that can escalate quickly if ignored. This explainer breaks down what electrolyte imbalance actually means, how it is linked to extreme heat, and what people can do […]

23
Mar

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Conflict-driven outbreaks top six global health threats for 2026: Gavi insight paper

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 months
0
7 min read

Conflict-associated disease outbreaks are emerging as the most immediate global health threat in 2026, according to a new insight paper by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which warns that violence, climate change, funding cuts, misinformation, and emerging pathogens are converging to strain fragile health systems worldwide. “These are challenging times for global health,” the paper states. […]

17
Mar

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How heat dehydration and pollution are impacting kidney health in India

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 months
0
5 min read

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is emerging as a major public health concern in India, with research showing a steady rise in its prevalence over the past decade. A review published in the journal Kidney International Reports estimates that nearly 13% of the Indian population may be affected by CKD, placing a significant burden on the country’s healthcare system […]

03
Mar

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Proximity to nuclear plants linked to higher cancer mortality: Harvard study

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 months
0
7 min read

US counties located closer to operational nuclear power plants (NPPs) have recorded higher cancer mortality rates than those farther away, according to a new nationwide study led by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Published on February 23 in Nature Communications, the study is the first in the 21st century to assess […]

16
Jan

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Why WHO is applauding India’s big move to go mercury-free in health care

Sakshi Srivastava / 6 months
0
6 min read

Recently, WHO hailed India’s efforts to phase out mercury from medical devices, calling it a critical step toward safer healthcare systems and healthier communities. Mercury, long used in medical devices, is highly toxic and is classified by the World Health Organisation as one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern for its harmful effects on the brain, nervous system, […]

18
Dec

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Centre says ‘no conclusive data’ on air pollution casualties, but global studies warn of 15 lakh annual deaths in India

Sakshi Srivastava / 7 months
0
11 min read

In a recent Rajya Sabha reply, the Centre stated that “there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/ disease exclusively due to air pollution.” This assertion comes amid widespread public concern over deteriorating air quality in India’s major cities, including Delhi and the National Capital Region, its health impacts […]

16
Dec

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Is plastic poisoning our children? UNICEF’s new report rings global alarm

Sakshi Srivastava / 7 months
0
12 min read

A UNICEF report has raised serious concerns about the growing and largely invisible threat that plastic pollution poses to children’s health and development worldwide. Titled ‘Generation Plastic: Unpacking the Impact of Plastic on Children,’ the report warns that children today are surrounded by more plastic than any previous generation, with exposure beginning even before birth and […]

15
Dec

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No clear data on pollution deaths? What studies actually say about India’s air crisis

Sakshi Srivastava / 7 months
0
11 min read

In a recent Rajya Sabha reply, the Centre stated that “there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/ disease exclusively due to air pollution.” This assertion comes amid widespread public concern over deteriorating air quality in India’s major cities, including Delhi and the National Capital Region, its health impacts and […]

28
Nov

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The silent struggle: How Gen Z and millennials battle burnout and financial stress

Sakshi Srivastava / 8 months
0
8 min read

For Rajat Kumar (name changed), 28, what began as a promising career with a Delhi-based international wildlife conservation organisation turned into a daily struggle against exhaustion and frustration. He joined the organisation eager to contribute to a cause he deeply cared about, but within months, the reality of the workplace began to take its toll. […]

17
Nov

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Air pollution in India is fueling an asthma crisis: Here’s what you need to know

Sakshi Srivastava / 8 months
0
9 min read

The air pollution crisis in India, particularly in the north of the country, including the national capital, has been dominating the headlines over the past few weeks. While this might seem like a ‘routine’ ‘yearly affair’ for some, experts have long been raising alarm bells about how this toxic air can have severe health consequences—including […]

31
Oct

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Chikungunya outbreaks: Why India is at the epicentre of a global health threat

Sakshi Srivastava / 8 months
0
9 min read

India could experience the biggest long-term impacts of chikungunya, potentially putting over 51 lakh people at risk every year, a global modelling study published in BMJ Global Health. According to the research led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, chronic health impacts will be the biggest concern- with evidence suggesting that nearly 50 per cent […]

Mental health surpasses cancer as top global concern, including India

10
Oct

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World Mental Health Day: How therapy helps many find answers

Sakshi Srivastava / 9 months
0
7 min read

Adila Matra always unconsciously gravitated towards people who, like her, didn’t fully fit into the expected social moulds, which meant that her circle of friends were mostly neurodivergent (or so they seemed to her). “I never realised I was different because this felt normal… I get anxious in social situations. I was often told I […]

02
Sep

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FACT CHECK: Can colder office temperatures significantly reduce women’s productivity?

Sakshi Srivastava / 10 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Women feel colder in air-conditioned rooms. FACT: Women do feel colder than men in air-conditioned rooms, largely due to lower metabolic rates, hormonal factors, and outdated temperature standards designed around men. Ever noticed how women in offices are often wrapped in shawls, sneaking out for a dose of warmth, or requesting colleagues to turn […]

11
Jul

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As the world warms, cold regions like Kashmir are the new frontline

Riyaz Wani / 1 year
0
3 min read

This summer in Kashmir Valley, one of the world’s coldest regions, has been unlike any before. Many days in June and July have surpassed their previous temperature records. And on July 5, Srinagar recorded a sweltering 37.4 degrees Celsius – the highest temperature in the city in 70 years. The people not used to this […]

01
Jul

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Global loneliness hits 1 in 6, linked to 100 deaths every hour: WHO

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
4 min read

One in six people globally are affected by loneliness, which contributes to an estimated 100 deaths every hour—more than 871,000 deaths annually, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection has revealed. The report highlights the impact of social connection on health, well-being, and economic outcomes, calling for urgent action […]

30
Jun

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Extreme heat could be rewriting your DNA, making you older faster

First Check Team / 1 year
0
3 min read

The ongoing heatwave across the world, including in india, may not just be uncomfortable, they may actually be aging your body from the inside out. A study has found that older adults living in areas with frequent extreme heat show signs of accelerated biological aging, as measured by changes in their DNA. These changes, known […]

13
Jun

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WHO’s ‘Beat the Heat’ initiative aims to shield workers, fans from heatwaves

First Check Team / 1 year
0
3 min read

As global temperatures continue to break records, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambitious “Beat the Heat” initiative is gaining ground in its mission to protect workers, sports fans and local communities from extreme heat and related environmental hazards. The project, running from January 2025 to June 2026, marks the first phase of collaboration between WHO […]

25
May

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Study links social media to teen depression

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
2 min read

Increased social media use among preteens may contribute to higher levels of depressive symptoms over time, a new study published in JAMA Network Open revealed. This cohort study, conducted by a team led by Jason M. Nagata from the University of California, San Francisco, tracked nearly 12,000 children aged 9 to 13 over three years, […]

16
May

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National Dengue Day 2025: India steps up fight against mosquito-borne diseases

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
3 min read

India is marking National Dengue Day on May 16 amid growing concerns over a potential surge in mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon season. With the early onset of rains increasing the risk of infections like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, the Union Health Ministry has directed all air, sea, and land ports to step […]

14
May

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1.5 billion children born after 2020 face lifetime heatwave exposure: Study

Allen Joe Mathew / 1 year
0
3 min read

Over half of children born during 2020 and after will experience significantly more extreme weather events during their lifetimes than previous generations, even if global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to a latest study published in Nature. The international study titled “Global emergence of unprecedented lifetime exposure to climate […]

25
Apr

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World Malaria Day: Will India be able to eliminate the disease completely by 2030?

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
9 min read

India is on an ambitious path to eliminate malaria by 2030, and we seem to have made some progress. With improved surveillance and access to diagnosis and medicines, the number of malaria deaths in the country has reduced, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Commonwealth Malaria Report show. However, while cases have dropped significantly […]

24
Apr

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The world heats up, and America checks out

Riyaz Wani / 1 year
0
4 min read

As the president Donald Trump is upending the world economy around with his unprecedented tariffs on the US imports, the topic of climate change has quietly slipped into the background. And that too at a time when climate crises have successively wracked the parts of the world including the United States. For example, in 2024, […]

27
Mar

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India issues urgent health advisory as heatwave looms

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
3 min read

New Delhi: With summer approaching and temperatures already climbing in parts of India, the Union Health Ministry has issued an urgent directive to state and union territory governments, urging them to implement heat-health action plans. The move comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of above-normal maximum temperatures across most of the country in […]

27
Mar

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STUDY: Extreme heat makes you age faster

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
3 min read

Extreme heat may be silently speeding up biological aging in older adults, a new study from the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has warned. The study, led by gerontology experts Eunyoung Choi and Jennifer Ailshire, analyzed data from over 3,600 U.S. adults aged 56 and older. The research team used advanced […]

11
Feb

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FACT CHECK: Does winter raise BP and heart attack risk for the elderly?

Allen Joe Mathew / 1 year
0
4 min read

First Check received a WhatsApp tipline request from a reader regarding a video circulating on WhatsApp. In the video, a person claims that winter causes a rise in blood pressure and urges elderly not to get out of the bed before 8 AM lest it lead to paralysis or heart attack. “We see more cases […]

03
Feb

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USAID is a criminal organization, time for it to die: Elon Musk

First Check Team / 1 year
0
3 min read

Tesla CEO and key Trump administration adviser Elon Musk has termed the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as necessary, calling the agency a “criminal organization” that is “beyond repair.” Speaking in a live session on X Spaces, Musk said he had discussed USAID in detail with the president, who agreed that […]

03
Feb

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World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025: Where does India stand in its fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
6 min read

World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day is celebrated on January 30 every year and this year the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments, leaders, communities and individuals to unite, act and eliminate these diseases through “bold, sustainable investments.” Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 21 infectious diseases that primarily impact over a billion […]

02
Jan

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In a hottest decade on record, 2024 was warmest, with 41 dangerous heat days: WMO

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

2024 was the warmest year on record, capping a decade of unprecedented heat driven by human activities, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported, warning that greenhouse gas levels continue to grow to record observed highs, “locking in even more heat for the future.” The WMO will publish the consolidated global temperature figure for […]

26
Dec

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WHO flags misinformation and disinformation as major threat to global health in 2024 review

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Misinformation and disinformation are critical threats to global health, the World Health Organization (WHO) says in its 2024 review. The organization warns that inaccurate information about diseases, treatments, and vaccines not only undermines trust in science but also erodes public confidence in evidence-based health policies, posing a significant challenge to global health efforts. “During emergencies […]

20
Dec

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Social media platforms urged to share data to tackle science misinformation

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Social media companies must prioritize the fight against science misinformation by offering free, non-commercial access to data for researchers studying its origins, spread, and effects, a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends. “Universities and research institutions should help connect researchers with social media companies to improve access to reliable […]

04
Nov

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Report: Heat-related deaths among seniors rise 167% in 2023 vs. 1990s

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

In 2023, global heat-related deaths among people over 65 soared by an unprecedented 167% compared to the 1990s — well beyond the 65% rise anticipated without climate change, finds the Lancet Countdown 2024 Report. What is more, the number of health-threatening heat days added by climate change is higher in countries with a low […]

03
Nov

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Report: Fossil fuel deaths drop 7% as global coal phase-out gains ground

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Despite the severe health impacts of climate change, there are some reasons for cautious optimism. Deaths from fossil fuel-derived air pollution fell almost 7% from 2.25 million in 2016 to 2.09 million in 2021, with 59% of this decline due to efforts to reduce pollution from coal burning, demonstrating the life-saving potential of coal […]

25
Oct

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Antimicrobial resistance, health reform take centre stage at MSF conference in New Delhi

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Health reform, resistance to antimicrobials, health disparities, and the impact of violence were top themes discussed at the MSF–Asia 2024 Conference at India Habitat Centre on October 25. The event brought together more than 200 researchers, academics, and patient representatives dedicated to advancing humanitarian medical innovation and research. Speaking at the conference, health experts […]

19
Oct

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Health is political, policies shaped by ideology of governments: Lancet

First Check Team / 2 years
0
2 min read

Health and health policy are shaped by the political ideology of governments, whether that means more money to invest in health systems or less regulation on health-harming products, Lancet, a peer-reviewed international medical journal, says in its latest comment. ‘Health is political. This is what many practitioners of public and clinical health believe,” argues […]

04
Oct

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WHO launches global plan to tackle dengue as cases surge over 12.3 million this

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

As dengue cases surge across all six World Health Organization regions, with an estimated four billion people at risk globally, the WHO on Thursday launched the Global Strategic Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan (SPRP) to tackle dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses Aedes is the scientific name of the mosquito that can transmit dengue, chikungunya, Zika, […]

17
Sep

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Adults over 60 are the fastest-growing demographic across the world

First Check Team / 2 years
0
2 min read

A World Bank report says demographic transformations are reshaping the world, with the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 Adults over 60 are the fastest-growing demographic across the world, says the new World Bank’s report. The report says demographic transformations are reshaping the world, with the global population expected […]

05
Sep

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Rising cholera outbreaks: Afghanistan and Bangladesh top the list in Asia

Riyaz Wani / 2 years
0
3 min read

The report says the number of reported cholera cases increased by 13% and deaths by 71% in 2023 compared to 2022 Conflict, climate change, limited investment in development and population displacement due to emerging and re-emerging risks all contributed to the rise in the number of cholera outbreaks, the World Health Organization (WHO) says […]

19
Jul

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Addressing the threat to global public health

First Check Team / 2 years
0
2 min read

Experts consider the impact of upcoming US election results and the role of social media platforms in the dissemination of health information. As the presidential election approaches in the United States, experts underscore how the results will impact the health and human rights of millions of people across the globe. A recent article in Health and […]

08
Jul

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Explainer: Why amoebic meningoencephalitis deaths in Kerala are disconcerting

Pallav Vyas / 2 years
0
3 min read

This could be a result of climate change, since rising air temperatures lead to a rise in water temperatures, which are the breeding grounds for Naegleria fowleri. The news of three deaths in the last two months in the southern state of Kerala, due to amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare infection, is causing much apprehension among […]

19
Jun

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Explainer: Why typhoid fever is so hard to beat

Pallav Vyas / 2 years
0
3 min read

Access to clean drinking water, hygienic food, and typhoid vaccination are the best preventive measures. As urbanisation and climate change continue to add to the global burden of typhoid, the growing incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) makes it all the more challenging to contain the spread of this life-threatening infection. Prevalent in many countries in […]

11
Jun

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High night-time temperatures increase stroke risk in older women: Study

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich and the Augsburg University Hospital in Germany found that the risk of stroke among older women is seven per cent higher on warm nights. As the march of climate change continues, notwithstanding the many climate accords aimed at arresting the progress of global warming, a recent study has added to the […]

05
Jun

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World Environment Day: Invest in breastfeeding for a sustainable world

Allen Joe Mathew / 2 years
0
3 min read

Feeding a baby with formula for the first six months of life can result in the emission of a quarter tonne of greenhouse gases, note public health researchers. Have you ever thought of breastfeeding as a sustainable food source? Can it serve as a carbon offset for the formula milk industry? A group of public […]

30
May

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When summers become too hot to handle

Riyaz Wani / 2 years
0
3 min read

From India to Bangladesh and Myanmar to Thailand, the relentless heat has disrupted daily life, claimed lives, and exacerbated existing socio-economic challenges. Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan’s recent hospitalisation due to heat stroke has brought much deserved attention to the severity of the heatwaves sweeping across India and the broader South Asian region. While Khan […]

21
May

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Explainer: The spread of West Nile Virus

Pallav Vyas / 2 years
0
3 min read

Most infections are asymptomatic, while some manifest as moderate fever, or severe fever. No vaccine against WNV is available yet for humans. As cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) rise in the Indian state of Kerala, neighbouring regions are on high alert. While the situation is still evolving and could cause a public health concern, […]

13
May

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Fact-check: Onions won’t help you beat the summer heat

Allen Joe Mathew / 2 years
0
2 min read

A recent video of an Indian politician talking to the media during the ongoing election campaigns has been in the news for the dubious health claim. If an Indian politician is to be believed, the best way to cope with the scorching weather conditions is to carry an onion in your pocket! A recent video […]

06
May

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Explainer: Can humans get avian flu?

Pallav Vyas / 2 years
0
2 min read

The extremely rare event of the virus mutating such that it is able to invade human bodies, could result in a public health emergency. Globally, cases of bird flu, also referred to as avian flu, are on the rise. There’s fear that this corroborates the predictions of health scientists that the future pandemic is likely […]

26
Mar

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Decoding health disinformation during elections

Riyaz Wani / 2 years
0
3 min read

In a year when the world’s oldest and the largest democracies are going to polls, AI-generated fake news is expected to be all over the place. Does health mis/disinformation increase or decrease during elections? Very little is known about this phenomenon. It is, however, scientifically proven that political fake news becomes rife during polls. According […]

21
Mar

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US launches Foreign Ministry Channel for Health Security to counter health misinformation, disinformation

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Climate change, growing regional instability, the rise of misinformation and disinformation increase the complexity of preventing and responding to the next pandemic. The United States has launched Foreign Ministry Channel (FMC) for Health Security, making health security a foreign policy priority, and effectively addressing health-related misinformation and disinformation. This comes with the recognition that the […]

06
Feb

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Conspiracy theories major obstacle to new global pandemic treaty: WHO

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

Despite lessons that should have been learned during COVID-19, the world is unprepared for the next pandemic, be it an influenza virus, another coronavirus, or “Disease X.” A new global pandemic treaty is in the works. The motive of the treaty is to prepare the world for the next pandemic, be it an influenza virus, […]

health misinformation is injurious to health

31
Jan

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Health misinformation is injurious to health!

Jisha Krishnan / 2 years
0
3 min read

How do you like your coffee? With butter? And some oil? Apparently, bulletproof coffee is what the celebs are having – instead of breakfast – to shed some superfluous body weight. Not surprisingly, social media buffs are in love with the magic potion. There’s a “small” problem though – the fad diet can actually harm […]

04
Aug

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Fact-check: Debunking 3 myths about veganism

Florica Brahma / 3 years
0
2 min read

Proteins are not only found in meat and dairy products, but also in plant-based diets. As the world continues to tackle the growing challenges of climate change and global warming, veganism has emerged as a popular lifestyle choice. However, there are many misconceptions that prevail regarding vegan food choices. Here is a look at some […]

03
Nov

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Baseless theories about entry of women in Sabarimala Temple causing the 2018 floods in Kerala, debunked and clarified

First Check Team / 5 years
0
4 min read

If social media posts are to be believed, the 2018 flood fury in Kerala, was a divine response to allowing women of all ages into the temple, breaking a centuries-old tradition.

11
Jul

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Not one method, not one woman: How India can redefine its family planning programme for a new generation

admin / 1 day
0
15 min read

Medha Gandhi Every year, World Population Day arrives with a ritual anxiety about numbers: how many of us there are, how many more are coming, and whether that is good news or bad. This year, theUnited Nations Population Fund has chosen a theme that quietly overturns the usual script. It asks how we might empower […]

10
Jun

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Mental disorders nearly double globally, adolescents and women most affected

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
8 min read

Mental health – something many people still hide, something we often give second thoughts to before discussing openly, and something society is still learning to understand better – is a deeply serious issue that needs to be part of public discourse more than ever before. Even as conversations around mental health grow, stigma still surrounds […]

13
May

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Why the viral ice bath challenge can be dangerous during a heatwave

Safna Malik / 2 months
0
6 min read

The World Health Organization confirms that heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent as global temperatures continue to soar. In regions surrounding the Indian Ocean, the combination of rising carbon emissions and warmer sea temperatures has pushed humidity levels to sweltering levels of 38°C to 40°C. When the air feels this hot, you will try almost anything to […]

30
Apr

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Mumbai food poisoning tragedy: Can watermelon become poisonous? Experts separate fact from fear

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
6 min read

A late-night meal in Mumbai has turned into a disturbing tragedy, sparking fear and speculation around a common summer fruit – watermelon. Four members of a family died within hours of falling ill, in what police suspect to be a case of food poisoning. The incident, reported from the Pydhonie area, has drawn attention online, particularly over the […]

13
Dec

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Malaria claimed over 6 lakh lives in 2024, drug resistance threatens progress | WHO report explained

Sakshi Srivastava / 7 months
0
8 min read

A new World Health Organisation (WHO) report shows that malaria infected an estimated 28.2 crore people and claimed 6,10,000 lives worldwide in 2024, underscoring how the disease continues to pose a major public health burden despite decades of global progress. A major outcome of this year’s report is the alarming confirmation that antimalarial drug resistance is […]

14
Nov

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Could your kitchen be the reason behind your UTI? New study reveals the SHOCKING link

Sakshi Srivastava / 8 months
0
5 min read

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is often associated with personal hygiene habits and bathroom cleanliness, such as frequent handwashing, wiping correctly, and staying hydrated. But have you ever considered that your kitchen could be the culprit as well? A new study presented in Southern California has turned that assumption on its head, revealing that up to 18 per […]

10
Nov

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Delhi Police constable Sonika Yadav’s 145 kg weightlifting sparks debate: What activities are safe during pregnancy?

Sakshi Srivastava / 8 months
0
9 min read

When Delhi Police constable Sonika Yadav, 31, stepped onto the platform at the All India Police Weightlifting Cluster 2025–26 in Andhra Pradesh on October 17, spectators anticipated a routine performance in her usual 65-kg powerlifting category. What no one expected was that she was seven months pregnant. As she gripped the barbell for a 145-kg […]

01
May

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STUDY: Is your biological age more than your chronological age? It may raise dementia risk

First Check Team / 1 year
0
3 min read

People whose biological age is higher than their chronological age may be more likely to develop dementia than people whose biological age matches or is lower than their chronological age, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “Biological age is based on biomarkers of aging such […]

09
Apr

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The Lancet: 500,000 children could die of AIDS by 2030 if US funding to AIDS program not restored

First Check Team / 1 year
0
3 min read

A new study published in The Lancet warns that if the US fails to continue funding the PEPFAR programme, it could lead to over 1 million new paediatric HIV infections and nearly half a million child deaths by 2030. “The future of PEPFAR programmes hang in the balance. Losing stable, long-term support for PEPFAR programmes […]

27
Mar

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Household air pollution affected 2.67 billion people in 2021, killed 3.11 million

First Check Team / 1 year
0
3 min read

Household air pollution (HAP) affects over 2.67 billion people worldwide and contributes to millions of deaths, according to a new study published in The Lancet as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 project. Although the percentage of people exposed to HAP has fallen by 56.7% since 1990, the absolute decline has been […]

17
Feb

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FACT CHECK: Is it safe to dress in just a T-shirt as Rahul Gandhi does during the winters?

Allen Joe Mathew / 1 year
0
4 min read

Since his Bharat Jodo Yatra a couple of years back, Rahul Gandhi’s choice of ‘winter clothes’ has been a matter of great discussion. This year too, we saw the Indian National Congress leader all over our Television screens and on social media in just a white T-shirt during the Delhi election campaign and parliament sessions […]

13
Feb

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Impact of US President Donald Trump’s health policy reversals

First Check Team / 1 year
0
6 min read

US President Donald Trump has been in office just a over two weeks now, and he has already passed multiple executive orders and made announcements that would have profound impact on global and domestic health policies, healthcare institutions and humanitarian aid organisations. Many of these roll back key health care and global health policies established during the […]

20
Jan

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Indoor air pollution: How slum dwellers breathe air more toxic than others

Sneha Richhariya / 1 year
0
9 min read

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Thirty-two-year-old Besaniya works as a domestic worker in Noida, and lives in a slum called Chaura Basti near the Delhi-Noida border with her two kids. Her husband Ram Deen, who worked as a daily-wage labourer, has been sick with respiratory issues for the past few years. People in her neighbourhood jhuggis also […]

16
Oct

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At current rate, ending poverty for half the world could take over a century

First Check Team / 2 years
0
3 min read

At today’s feeble pace, it could take more than a century to eliminate poverty as it is defined for nearly half the world – people who live on less than $6.85 per day, according to the World Bank’s new Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report. The report released in Washington on Tuesday offers the […]

09
Dec

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Decarbonizing our lives

Riyaz Wani / 3 years
0
3 min read

Our energy-intensive lifestyles are sending billions of tons of yearly emissions into the atmosphere When Thomas Hardy wrote his pastoral Far From the Madding Crowd in 1874, the industrial revolution that had begun in England a century ago was looming over country life. The novel was thus a nostalgic throwback to a way of life […]

24
Feb

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The Last of Us: Can fungi cause a global pandemic?

Toibah Kirmani / 3 years
0
3 min read

What if a parasitic fungus became a threat to humankind’s survival? That is the scary premise of ‘The Last of Us’, a popular American post-apocalyptic drama television series on HBO. But is there any science behind this fiction?

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