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The Independent
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
India's air pollution crisis found linked to rising pre-term births and low birth weight
Exposure to severe levels of air pollution in India is linked to adverse birth outcomes, including pre-term births and low birth weight in newborns, scientists warned in a new study. Studies have previously shown a clear link between ambient air pollution and adverse human health effects, with a disproportionate burden falling on those residing in low and middle-income countries. Tiny particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, called PM 2.5, is gaining attention as a silent killer of people residing in these countries. They primarily originate from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, and is considered the most harmful air pollutant. Among 134 countries, India is ranked the third most polluted based on its average yearly PM2.5 levels, with an increasing prevalence of asthma, cancer, and other chronic diseases in recent decades, according to the 2023 World Air Quality Report. In the latest research, published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health, scientists assessed the impact of ambient air pollution on adverse birth outcomes at the national level. Researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Delhi, used data from satellites and large-scale surveys to specifically focus on vulnerable areas and their low birth weight and preterm birth rates. Data revealed that a little over a tenth of the children were born prematurely, and nearly one in 5 were born with low birth weight. Preterm birth was was most prevalent in the northern states, such as Himachal Pradesh (39 per cent), Uttarakhand (27 per cent) and Rajasthan (18 per cent), and Delhi (17 per cent), including North-Eastern states like Nagaland. The highest prevalence of low birth weight was in Punjab at 22 per cent, followed closely by Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Scientists found conclusive evidence of the link between in-utero exposure to PM2.5 and such adverse birth outcomes. The analysis revealed that an increase in ambient PM2.5 exposure is associated with a greater likelihood of low birth weight and preterm birth. Factors like rainfall and temperature were also found linked to adverse birth outcomes. 'The study identified a discernible upward trend in the risk of adverse birth outcomes as the level of exposure increased,' researchers wrote. 'A 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM 2.5 exposure was associated with a 5 per cent increase in the prevalence of low birth weight and a 12 per cent increase in preterm birth,' they said. Scientists warned that children in the northern districts of India could be more susceptible to the adverse effects of ambient air pollution. The findings call for a greater need for targeted interventions, particularly in Northern districts. Researchers call for India's National Clean Air Programme to be intensified, with stricter emission standards and enhanced air quality monitoring. 'It is imperative to collaboratively address distal factors encompassing both indoor and outdoor pollution to attain lasting enhancements in child health,' they wrote.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Nipah: Experts seek deeper eco studies
Kozhikode: Over the past year, four Nipah infections were reported in Malappuram, including the suspected death of an 18-year-old girl at Makkaraparamba on July 1. Now, deeper studies are being sought to examine whether repeated spillovers of the virus are being caused by ecological factors such as disturbances in bat habitats. Experts have stressed the need for better monitoring of Pteropus fruit bats, the natural carriers of the virus, along with efforts to protect their habitats and raise awareness to reduce human-bat contact. A study published in PLOS Global Public Health in December 2024 pointed out some key findings. It was led by experts including TS Anish, nodal officer of Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research and Resilience. The study said that four of the six Nipah outbreaks in Kerala (2018, 2019, 2023, July 2024) happened during El Nino years. All six took place between May and Sept, which is the fruit ripening season. It said that these patterns showed how environmental factors affect man-animal interactions and may lead to Nipah outbreaks. The study also noted that fear during Nipah outbreaks in Kerala led to harmful social behaviour. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo It often caused conflicts between people and animals and ended with more bat habitats being damaged. People were found cutting trees used by bats and using firecrackers to scare them away. Another study in Malaysia said such actions could increase chances of human-bat contact and may cause infected bats to migrate to new areas. Faculty at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University's centre for wildlife studies (CWS) Dr George Chandy said that field studies conducted by the centre found evidence of destruction of bat roosts in Kozhikode and Wayanad. Dr Chandy said that the exact way Nipah spreads from bats to humans is still unclear. He said it is important not to disturb bat roosts. After every outbreak, it was seen that people destroyed bat habitats in many areas. During student fieldwork, some roosts found in pilot studies were found affected. Dr Chandy said that people had cut tree branches with bat roosts at Pazhassi Park in Mananthavady. Crackers and other methods were used to scare bats which might cause stress and increase virus spread. He said the two main actions needed now are to protect bat habitats and raise awareness to reduce interactions between humans and bats. Prejith K, Associate Professor at KVASU, said that ecological factors in the region should be studied more and added that climate change might be causing stress in bats. "Recurring cases highlight the need to examine if ecological factors including deforestation or land use changes are contributing to habitat loss of bats and inducing stress among bat populations," he said. He added that the growing number of fruit trees in house compounds, including non-native ones, could attract more bats. He said this needs to be studied to understand if it is leading to more human-bat contact.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Prolonged droughts linked to rise in sexual violence against women in poor nations: study
Extreme, prolonged droughts, sometimes lasting up to over three years, in low- and middle-income countries can worsen social vulnerabilities indirectly, increasing levels of sexual violence against girl teenagers and women, a study has found. Researchers, including those from Curtin University, Australia, said the findings emphasise how climate change can have a negative impact on women who have to travel long distances for water, are sometimes forced to migrate for resources and are encouraged to marry early as a downstream effect. The study, published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health, analysed survey responses of over 35,000 women, aged 13-24, from across 14 countries in south America, sub-saharan Africa and southeast Asia. Data for the 'Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys' was collected during 2013-2019. "The analysis revealed that exposure to prolonged and extreme drought, lasting 8-43 months in a 48-month period (four years), was associated with higher odds of sexual violence," the authors wrote. "Very dry periods are also associated with increased odds of experiencing sexual violence," they said. Evidence emerging from previous studies have suggested a relation between extreme weather events and an increase in domestic violence. An October 2024 study, published in the journal PLOS Climate, analysed national level data of 156 countries and found that extreme weather events, such as storms, landslides and floods, can increase intimate partner violence over the two years following the events. This study is the first to provide a population-level analysis specifically of sexual violence against young women and girl teenagers, the authors said. They added that rural communities in low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable to environment-related stress, as droughts can impact livelihoods and resources. This can increase risk of sexual violence because of having to rely on distant water sources, requiring migration and encouraging early marriages to preserve scant household resources, the team said. Citing a qualitative study conducted in Indonesia and Peru, the authors said that the women participants also categorise the extreme burdens due to water insecurity as a form of violence, which can result in adverse sexual and reproductive health. The team looked at individuals with and without a partner, thereby broadening the scope to understand how droughts can increase violence outside of intimate relationships, they said. "These results underscore the need for comprehensive strategies that address drought's immediate environmental and economic impacts and the broader social and health consequences," the authors wrote.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Odisha among top 12 states with highest female sex workers and men who have sex with men : NACO
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is among the top 12 states in the country to have the highest concentration of both female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM). According to the programmatic mapping and population size estimation (PMPSE) conducted by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in 2022, the state recorded an estimated 24,620 FSWs and 5,977 MSM. The estimation has been published in the recent issue of peer-reviewed journal PLOS Global Public Health. As many as 2,113 hotspots and 190 network operators in the state were mapped during the survey. The hotspots included brothel, lodge/hotel, street, railway station, bus-stand, park, marketplace, under the bridge, highway, spa and abandoned area. The state has two FSWs per 1,000 adult women and about 88.6 per cent (pc) operate through physical hotspots such as homes or street locations. Around four per cent are exclusively linked to network operators, and 7.4 pc are found in rural villages under the link worker scheme (LWS).
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka, Delhi, AP among 5 states with highest number of female sex workers, says study
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Telangana have the highest concentration of Female Sex Workers (FSW) in the country, according to a study. Karnataka is at the top of the list with 15.4 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh (12.0 per cent), Maharashtra (9.6 per cent), Delhi (8.9 per cent) and Telangana (7.6 per cent), the programmatic mapping and population size estimation (PMPSE) said. The five "were States with highest size of FSW contributing around 53.0 per cent of total FSW key population size in the country," it said. The number of FSW per 1000 adult women was highest in Arunachal Pradesh (17.24), followed by Delhi (15.46), Goa (11.67), Chandigarh (10.10) and Karnataka (8.34). Observing that India has the world's second-largest HIV burden, the study said key populations of female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), hijra/transgender (H/TG) people, and people who inject drugs (PWID), are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. The community-led PMPSE was carried out in 651 districts of 32 states and Union Territories of India. The goal was to identify the hotspots, network operators, and estimate the size of key population groups, said the study, published in PLOS Global Public Health. The PMPSE estimated a total of 9,95,499 FSWs, 3,51,020 MSM, 2,88,717 PWIDs, and 96,193 H/TG individuals. PMPSE for FSWs identified 43,579 hotspots and 10,718 network operators. FSWs were further reported in a total of 16,095 villages, it said. Slightly more than half (55.1 per cent) of the hotspots were home-based, followed by 16.1 per cent street-based locations and 5.9 per cent brothel-based. Highest number of hotspots in PMPSE were mapped in Karnataka (around 20.0 per cent of the total hotspots), followed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra (around 8.0 per cent each), Madhya Pradesh (around 7.0 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (around 6.0 per cent). In Telangana, there were around 38 FSWs per hotspot, highest in the country followed by 29 FSWs per hotspot in Andhra Pradesh and 26 FSWs per hotspot in Delhi, Meghalaya and West Bengal, it said. The PMPSE reported presence of FSWs in 642 districts of the country. With an estimated 2.54 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), India ranks as the country with the second largest population of PLHIV globally, the study said. The National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) has successfully responded by restricting the epidemic. Through its comprehensive and pointed initiatives, nearly 44 per cent reduction in new HIV infections and a remarkable 79 per cent decline in AIDS-related deaths from 2010 to 2023 has been estimated in India. "Despite the significant success achieved so far, there is no place for complacency and the program implementation must continue with equal vigour and energy in the years to come," it said. HIV prevalence among key populations (KPs) remains significantly higher than the overall adult prevalence, said the study, part of the Surveillance and Epidemiological activities of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme of the central government. The study further said mapping and population size estimation are pivotal to an evidence-based response to HIV/AIDS in settings with concentrated epidemics.
