Health & Wellness Community

Recent findings from a study conducted by researchers at UCL suggest that targeted interventions for problematic social media use can play a significant role in alleviating depression symptoms. The study, which was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, highlights the potential of interventions aimed at individuals whose mental well-being is compromised due to excessive social media usage. Problematic use is characterized by a person’s preoccupation with social media to the detriment of important responsibilities and commitments in other aspects of their life. This behaviour can lead to negative consequences such as sadness, anxiety, tension, and loneliness, all of which are associated with depression. Researchers have responded to these concerns by developing and evaluating interventions that address the impact of social media on mental health. These interventions encompass strategies like limiting or abstaining from social media usage, as well as therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The study examined 23 studies conducted between 2004 and 2022, involving participants from diverse geographical backgrounds. The results indicated that social media use interventions contributed to enhanced mental well-being in 39 percent of the studies. Notably, the interventions showed particular efficacy in mitigating depression, with 70 percent of the studies reporting a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Among the interventions, those based on therapy demonstrated the highest effectiveness, yielding improved mental well-being in 83 percent of the studies. In comparison, limiting social media use resulted in improvement in 20 percent of the studies, while complete abstinence led to an improvement in 25 percent of the cases. Dr. Ruth Plackett, the lead author from UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health, highlighted the importance of a therapy-oriented approach, emphasizing the need to reflect on one’s interactions with social media and manage behaviours for enhanced mental health. Dr. Patricia Schartau, another study author and GP from UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health, underlined the significance of primary care physicians proactively addressing social media use when treating patients with anxiety and low mood. The study’s findings gain significance in a world where over 4.59 billion individuals were estimated to be using some form of social media in 2022. Although these platforms have revolutionized communication, relationships, and self-perception, concerns about their impact on mental health, especially among young people, have surfaced. The researchers hope their study will guide policymakers and clinicians in effectively managing problematic social media usage, although further research is required to determine which individuals would benefit most from such interventions.

The initiative by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to utilize drones for mosquito fogging in areas prone to breeding these insects has faced delays despite a trial run conducted last week. According to a recent report from the MCD released on Monday, there were 105 new cases reported last week up until Saturday, whereas the entire month of July had seen 121 cases. The drone project was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns leading up to Independence Day, as stated by an official. The official further explained that all preparations have been made for the drone initiative, and the plan is to kick off the operation after August 15th. Each drone is capable of carrying 30 liters of insecticide, which would enable the targeted spraying of hard-to-reach areas like lakes, canals, and riverfront vicinity. The focus of this effort is to combat mosquito breeding in such areas. A notable trial run took place on August 1st, where the public health department employed a drone to spray anti-larvae mixture in the Usmanpur region. This trial aimed to address areas with a high concentration of dengue cases reported during the previous week. The cumulative count of dengue cases in the city has reached 348 so far, as opposed to 174 cases in 2022, 22 cases in 2021, 35 cases in 2020, and 47 cases in 2019. The situation underscores the concern, especially given the previous year’s total of 75 cases in the entirety of August, 72 cases in 2021, and 47 cases in 2020. Authorities noted that mosquito breeding has been exacerbated in outer Delhi regions due to waterlogging. The official emphasized that community support is crucial to effectively address this issue and urged everyone to prevent waterlogging in their surroundings and terraces. Moreover, instances of malaria have seen a significant rise, with a total count of 85 cases compared to 35 cases in 2022, 24 cases in 2021, and 45 cases in 2020. Thirteen malaria cases were recorded in the past week alone, as per the official. However, the occurrence of chikungunya has been relatively low, with only one case reported last week and a total of 15 cases, contrasting with nine cases in 2022 and 13 cases in 2021. To combat the spread of vector-borne diseases, the MCD has launched a comprehensive campaign. This initiative involves training and deploying a specialized workforce, including Asha workers, safai karamcharis (sanitation workers), and nullah beldars (drainage workers). These efforts will complement the work of 3,000 domestic breeding checkers. Each ward will now have a dedicated team of three nullah beldars and three safai karamcharis who are trained to identify and eliminate potential breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors, the official stated.

In a ground-breaking revelation, a novel technique has emerged to predict health outcomes for critically ill patients experiencing circulatory shock. These patients, grappling with compromised heart function leading to inadequate blood and oxygen circulation due to factors like heart failure, sepsis, or bleeding, are often in dire need of close monitoring and tailored treatment. This innovative approach, the brainchild of a collaborative effort between Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and MIT, could significantly revolutionize the management of these cases, potentially reducing mortality rates and improving overall health prospects. The breakthrough findings have been documented in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine. The crux of this development revolves around the measurement of a vital circulatory parameter called critical closure pressure. This pressure delineates the point at which minute blood capillaries collapse, halting blood flow. Despite its potential to indicate blood vessel responsiveness in the face of disease and treatment, critical closure pressure has remained largely unexplored in clinical contexts. This study embarked on a journey of innovation by harnessing high-resolution waveform data obtained from blood pressure monitoring of over 5,500 patients housed in the cardiac intensive care unit at MGH. Researchers ingeniously devised an analysis based on various measurable parameters, encompassing arterial pressure, pulse pressure, and heart rate, to accurately define critical closure pressure. Intriguingly, they then introduced a novel parameter known as tissue perfusion pressure, calculated as the disparity between average arterial blood pressure and critical closure pressure. Astonishingly, this tissue perfusion pressure turned out to be an exceptional predictor of critical health outcomes for patients – gauging the risk of mortality, length of hospital stay, and the peak level of blood lactate, an indicator of tissue oxygenation. In the words of the study’s senior author, Aaron Aguirre, MD, PhD, a distinguished cardiologist and critical care expert at MGH, as well as an assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, “When treating patients with circulatory shock, it is essential to maintain adequate blood pressure targets, yet standard goals are not personalised to individual patients. We have developed a new metric that can identify individuals with inadequate tissue perfusion who are at risk for adverse outcomes. We believe this method can be used to optimise treatment decisions for patients in the intensive care unit.”

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to launch the e-CARe (e-Clearance for Afterlife Remains) portal, a groundbreaking initiative to expedite the repatriation of deceased Indians from foreign countries. The portal’s primary goal is to establish a 24×7 Designated Nodal officer, ensuring swift scrutiny and approval within a 48-hour timeframe. This move aims to bring uniformity to the entire process, eliminating any subjectivity previously present in the procedures conducted by Airport Health Offices (APHOs). The e-CARe portal offers numerous advantages, including round-the-clock accessibility, faster clearance, instant messaging for easy tracking, increased accountability, and flexibility in application submission. It allows any family member of the deceased to apply and become the consignee, not solely relying on the airlines. Moreover, it streamlines coordination among multiple stakeholders through a single interface. The functioning of the portal involves timely intimations sent via email, SMS, and WhatsApp to relevant parties, including the Central International Health Division, Nodal Officer, APHOs, consignees, and airlines. During the initial 48 hours, updates are provided every 12 hours for the first 36 hours, followed by escalations every four hours for the subsequent 12 hours to prevent any clearance delays. Stakeholders can conveniently track the application status through the e-CARe portal using a registration number. The e-CARe Portal ensures seamless coordination and transparency throughout the repatriation procedure. The final verification of original documents will take place at the respective arrival airport by the concerned APHO, ensuring a well-regulated and efficient process.

A breakthrough in the world of pharmaceuticals emerges from a Gujarat-based company, Asprius Lifesciences, as they unveil a potential game-changer in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This prevalent condition, affecting millions globally, leads to nerve damage in peripheral regions, resulting in numbing sensations, tingling, pain, and weakness in the extremities. The innovative treatment, a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of two drugs, holds great promise and has already been patented by the company. Spearheaded by the visionary Chairman & MD, Vishal Zinzuwadia, and backed by the brilliant mind of Dr. Sanjay Agrawal, Medical Director of Asprius Lifesciences, this novel formulation offers new hope to those battling diabetic neuropathy. Recognizing the severe impact of diabetic neuropathy on patients’ quality of life, the company is now diligently conducting clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of their revolutionary FDC. If successful, the treatment will soon be available in India, marking a significant milestone in the fight against this debilitating condition. With the potential to mitigate symptoms and prevent further complications, this cutting-edge development signifies a crucial step forward in addressing diabetic neuropathy’s unmet medical needs. Asprius Lifesciences’ dedication to improving patients’ lives serves as a beacon of hope for countless individuals seeking relief from the burdens of diabetic neuropathy.

The Lok Sabha was informed that India has seen remarkable progress in its medical education sector since 2014. The country has witnessed an 82% increase in the number of medical colleges, growing from 387 to 704, and an impressive 110% increase in MBBS seats, rising from 51,348 to 1,07,948 during this period. Furthermore, there has been a substantial 117% rise in the number of post-graduate (PG) medical seats, from 31,185 to 67,802. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting the establishment of new medical colleges in underserved areas and aspirational districts. A total of 101 medical colleges have been approved under the centrally-sponsored scheme, with one such college approved in Assam. The government’s initiatives also aimed at upgrading existing medical colleges to enhance medical education standards. Through various schemes, support has been provided to add thousands of MBBS and PG seats in different colleges across the country. Additionally, the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, was introduced to improve access to quality medical education and ensure the availability of skilled medical professionals throughout India. The Act has led to several positive changes, including recognizing the Diplomate of National Board qualification for faculty appointments and increasing the age limit for certain medical college positions to 70 years. Furthermore, the NMC Act has relaxed norms for setting up medical colleges, rationalized the teacher-student ratio to increase PG seats, and framed guidelines for determining fees in private medical institutions and deemed-to-be universities. India’s medical education sector has seen significant expansion and improvements, contributing to better healthcare access and quality across the nation.

According to a recent survey conducted by GlobalData, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is on the rise, with 49% of healthcare industry professionals with prior AI experience strongly endorsing its application in clinical practice and administrative tasks. The survey, which took place between March 2023 and June 2023 and involved 426 healthcare industry professionals, highlights the increasing integration of AI into healthcare provision. GlobalData’s latest report titled ‘AI in Clinical Practice – Physician Perspective 2023’ reveals that diagnostics support and treatment decision support are the two most popular use cases for AI tools in healthcare. Practices like oncology are already leveraging AI for tasks such as risk prediction and disease diagnosis. However, it is emphasized that scientific validation is crucial to verify the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated results. The report also indicates that physicians are increasingly comfortable with using AI for automating administrative tasks, signifying a growing acceptance of AI’s value in streamlining healthcare operations across major pharmaceutical markets, including the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and China (8MM). China has emerged as a leading player in embracing AI within the global healthcare landscape, driven by its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and quality. By embracing AI, China is positioning itself as a key player in the ongoing digital revolution in the healthcare industry. AI’s application in drug development, such as target identification and drug repurposing, has shown promising outcomes, boosting confidence in AI tools. As AI continues to evolve rapidly and the demand for improved healthcare delivery grows, GlobalData predicts a gradual shift towards more extensive AI adoption in clinical practices.