Short-term exposure to PM2.5, especially from landscape fires and urban pollution, significantly increases hospital admissions among children and adolescents for respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, neurological, digestive, and other illnesses. Children aged 5–9 years and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are particularly vulnerable.
India has implemented measures like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), air quality monitoring, and crop residue management to reduce PM2.5 exposure. However, challenges persist due to high ambient pollution, indoor smoke, socioeconomic disparities, and gaps in awareness.
A multi-pronged approach involving regulation, clean energy adoption, indoor air quality improvement, public awareness, and child-specific protective measures is essential to safeguard children’s health and reduce the long-term impacts of air pollution.
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The Jal Jeevan Mission has raised rural tap water access from 17% in 2019 to over 81% by October 2025, saving 5.5 crore hours daily and averting 4 lakh deaths. Through community participation and digital monitoring, it strengthens sustainability, water quality, and rural empowerment nationwide.
Click to View MoreAs Delhi battles severe air pollution, IIT Kanpur’s cloud seeding plan offers short-term relief by dispersing silver iodide into clouds to trigger rain that clears pollutants. However, its effectiveness depends on weather, and concerns over cost, feasibility, and environmental impact demand long-term pollution control measures.
Click to View MoreIndia’s air and noise pollution monitoring systems face challenges like poorly placed sensors, data inaccuracies, and limited real-time noise data. While air quality monitoring has improved with real-time stations and the National Clean Air Programme, noise pollution lacks a strong national policy and effective enforcement. To protect public health and meet global standards, India must expand monitoring coverage, ensure data transparency through independent audits, align regulations with WHO guidelines, and integrate advanced technologies for better forecasting and action.
Click to View MoreIndia must treat mental health as a national priority, not a side issue. By strengthening primary care, integrating support across sectors, using technology, and reducing stigma, India can turn silent suffering into shared strength—empowering citizens, enabling inclusion, and securing a healthier, more resilient foundation for its future development.
Click to View MoreThe SPARK initiative under the Ministry of Ayush awards ₹50,000 studentships to 300 BAMS undergraduates, promoting scientific inquiry and evidence-based Ayurveda research. It empowers students to integrate traditional knowledge with modern science, strengthening Ayush innovation and health ecosystem.
Click to View MoreGreen crackers are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional firecrackers, designed to reduce air and noise pollution. They produce lower emissions of harmful gases and particulate matter, helping protect public health and the environment. Governments promote their use during festivals to balance cultural celebrations with environmental and health concerns.
Click to View MoreThe EAT-Lancet report shows under 1% of humanity lives within safe, equitable planetary limits. Current food systems drive ecological collapse and inequality, demanding a shift to plant-forward diets, halved food waste, and just policies for global health and sustainability.
Click to View MoreAntibiotic resistance threatens global health as bacteria evolve against drugs. In India, misuse across humans, animals, and agriculture is high. The National Action Plan on AMR enforces surveillance, regulation, and a holistic One Health approach to combat this crisis.
Click to View MoreClimate change is causing a global dengue surge, with over 4.6 million cases annually. Rising temperatures expand mosquito habitats, increasing dengue cases, especially in Asia and the Americas. India needs proactive strategies for public health protection.
Click to View MoreIndia's pharmaceutical industry, known as the 'pharmacy of the world', has transformed affordable generic medicines into a global public good. By leveraging unique intellectual property laws and cost-effective manufacturing, India has broken monopolies on life-saving drugs like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19, redefining global health equity.
Click to View MoreIndia faces a growing cancer burden due to lifestyle changes, aging population, and tobacco use. Challenges include late diagnosis, lack of specialized healthcare, and financial burdens. Government initiatives like National Cancer Grid and Ayushman Bharat are crucial for prevention, early screening, and affordable treatment.
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