Author name: admin

Misinformation wave on social media platforms like Facebook reduce the chances of people from getting vaccinated. Pune: When we say that technology and social media is the future of tomorrow, it is true. But, it comes with its own perils. There are places on the web and communities on social media that resort to cyber bullying, spreading misinformation and misleading the people.  The dark side of social media is not only risky for children, but it has also succeeded in penetrating adults and in extreme cases, it has resulted in people losing their lives at the behest of bad influencers or cyber criminals on the web and social media.  According to a recent survey carried out by The COVID States Project found that their respondents who relied exclusively on Facebook as a source of information and news were more likely to fall victim to false claims like COVID-19 vaccines will alter DNA or they have embedded microchips in it that will track people.  It is evident by now that we live in an era of mistrust. Mistrust is prevalent in all aspects of civilization like in healthcare, governance, medicines, etc. Our history, scepticism and online platforms have fuelled the wave further.  If we want the pandemic to end globally and for us to return to our pre-pandemic lives and levels, it is important for the population to get COVID-19 vaccines. Apprehensions arising from claims on social media, unverified sources and news channels need to be scraped out.  Personally, we have nothing against social media platforms like Facebook. But, despite countless efforts to stop and check the flow of misinformation, the phenomenon still continues. The reason behind the whole hullabaloo is that social media is accessible to millions of people globally. It just takes a minute for someone to share and send something out publically.  Therefore,  it is not possible to regulate or for someone to act as a continuous watchdog for activities, posts and news going on the web and social media every second of each day.  People with different backgrounds have varied ideological beliefs. But when it comes to healthcare, everyone is concerned to safeguard the health of their loved ones and themselves. There are instances where social media has helped a lot of people to reach out to get the right help. Nevertheless, the percentage of false claims scaring people away from getting treatment has been quite prominent on social media.  There are some ways in which we can still manage this crisis and curb the spread of harmful health claims from spreading on social media.  We can urge the right authorities, corporates involved, the government and fellow researchers, scientists and healthcare experts to monitor these claims and report them immediately. As soon as they are known to the concerned authorities, they must be immediately addressed via multiple mediums to the public. This can help in creating a difference and making this world a safer place to live in.

With the rise of genetic disorders like Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. The importance of technology-driven fast genetic testing is gaining more importance.  According to a new market study published by Global Industry Analytics Inc., theglobal direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing marketwill reach $ 2 billion by 2026. diagnostic technologies in the labs today are allowing a person to get a genetic test in the comfort of their homes. For example, if a person witnesses a heart issue with his mother and a mental issue with his father. He can ask the diagnostic labs to get a genetic test done. The samples can be collected from the home and taken to labs. Where the genetic testing can be done and as a result. It can be informed to the person what diseases he is more prone and he can take precautions or other required steps to avoid such health issues.  Significance of genetic testing With the right diagnosis at the right time. It has become very easy to know what disease a person is more prone to and take the required measures to keep your body and health upto mark. As we all know precaution is always better than cure. In many medical conclusions, it is said. That a family doctor is always better than a specialist doctor. As the family doctors know the genetics issues related to a family or person. By being updated with the previous generation health history of the family. Diagnosing any person’s health issues and predicting the reasons for any health issues becomes more logical and easier. Also, the cure and precaution are based on the historical data available in the form of genetic data. Becomes easier and to the point. Health and precaution becoming a priority Genetic testing is currently being used on a large scale in pharmacogenomics, which is also known as drug-gene testing. Also, a molecular diagnostic helps in detecting and understanding a particular disease much earlier. In traditional methods, this facility was not available. But now it is simplifying the solutions as well. With this in genetic testing, it has become easy to detect several diseases at a fatal level, which can let a person know about any abnormalities that can occur in a child after birth.  Molecular diagnostic allows understanding gene patterns and cell behavior detection. This new technology-based genetic diagnostic can especially be helpful in the case of cancer. As a most complicated and fearful disease. It is a gift that technology-driven genetic testing is giving to the world by early detection and precautions. With the pandemic hit the world. We all have realized that a better health condition and the right precaution are most convenient. As the economy rises and the demand for better health facilities is also rising. A good infrastructure for health does form an important base. On the other hand, a great technology that can eradicate the need for bigger infrastructure. Work more efficiently for better health solutions with technologies. That can allow a person to get diagnosed and cured so far. In the comfort zones of their home and eradicate the need of giving several rounds to hospitals in most cases.  Source: Healthworld.com