Health

From ancient mummies to drug resistance: 10 facts about Malaria you need to know

Malaria, an ancient disease traced back to Egyptian mummies, remains a deadly global threat despite medical advancements. Unlike common perception, malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites rather than viruses or bacteria, transmitted exclusively by female Anopheles mosquitoes during blood-feeding. Firstpost brings out facts related to the disease.

World Malaria Day: Why India's fight against malaria requires more than just medicine

India has made impressive progress in its bid to eliminate malaria. Reported cases have plummeted, mortality has fallen dramatically and global health agencies have lauded the country’s public health push. But behind the numbers lies a far more complex story—one where misdiagnosis, treatment delays and neglected urban infrastructure continue to pose serious threats to the nation's malaria elimination goal.

How far is my hospital? In India, it's 15 kms for OPD, 44 kms for admission

Estimates published in The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia journal showed a significant urban-rural disparity -- urban older adults availed out-patient facilities within 10 kilometres of reach, while the distance was nearly 30 kilometres for their rural counterparts.

Why US is planning to remove artificial food dyes from cereals, candies

The US government is preparing to phase out petroleum-derived synthetic food dyes nationwide, following the FDA's recent ban on Red Dye No. 3 due to cancer concerns. Currently, nine out of 36 FDA-approved food colourings are artificial. Studies and state-level legislation cite links between certain dyes and behavioural issues in children, prompting a bipartisan push for stricter regulation

World Liver Day: How lifestyle choices and late diagnosis are fueling India’s liver cancer crisis

As India marks World Liver Day, health experts are raising concerns over the rising burden of liver cancer, a disease often linked to modern lifestyle habits and late diagnosis. Despite advances in oncology, liver cancer cases, especially hepatocellular carcinoma are climbing steadily in India. Firstpost brings out a doctor’s view to explore the reasons behind the trend, its implications and the ways to address it.

Is a desk job increasing your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, long linked to older adults, is now on the rise among young Indians particularly those in desk-bound jobs, posing a significant public health challenge.

Blame the calendar? How your birth month may shape your body fat

New research suggests that the month you are born in could influence your body’s health as you grow older. Scientists have found that people conceived during colder months tend to have more active brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to keep the body warm. According to the study, those born in September, October or November may benefit from this effect

Genetics of hemophilia: Why mutations matter more than ever in diagnosis and treatment

Hemophilia, a rare inherited bleeding disorder, is primarily caused by mutations in specific genes that impair the body’s ability to produce clotting factors, leading to excessive bleeding and long-term complications. These mutations not only determine the severity of the disease but also shape its inheritance patterns across generations.

World Hemophilia Day: Equity in bleeding disorder care isn’t optional — it’s long overdue

According to estimates by the World Federation of Hemophilia, nearly 80% of hemophilia cases in India remain undiagnosed, highlighting a critical gap in awareness, screening and access to care.

Pfizer shelves obesity pill plan after patient suffers liver injury during clinical trial

Pfizer Inc. has said it will discontinue development of its closely watched obesity pill, danuglipron, dealing a severe blow to the company’s ambitions to compete in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, according to a report