Health Weekly Roundup: Diwali air over north India world’s worst, air pollution behind 1 in 10 under-5 deaths, new breast cancer cases to rise to 3.2 mn a year by 2030

This week was filled with important medical discoveries, researches and health news. To ensure that you don’t miss any, we bring you a weekly roundup. Here is this week’s aggregation of the latest news stories on health, fitness and diet.

Delhi chokes on worst Nov smog in many years

The air quality index for 4 pm on November 2 was 432, in the “severe” category, while the index on October 31 (post Diwali) was 445.

At 14 times the safe limit, Ggn breathes fire

Concentration of PM 2.5 touched the 800 mark in the afternoon, which was almost 14 times higher the national safe standard.

Flu: Not many know what it is

The study said 50.8% of the respondents had low level of knowledge of influenza, although 66% of them were concerned about it. Yet, 57.8% took high level of precautions.

Govt to roll out online fever tracker by Jan

The department of public health is working on an online dynamic fever tracking system that will enable doctors, both government and private, to notify infectious diseases and warn residents of all 12 corporations in case of an outbreak.

New breast cancer cases to rise to 3.2 mn a year by 2030

By 2030, the number of women diagnosed every year with breast cancer could almost double to 3.2 million and cervical cancer cases can rise at least 25 per cent to over 700,000 globally unless urgent action is taken, a study has cautioned.

Diwali air over north India was world’s worst

Over the Diwali weekend of 2016, India’s air quality was among the world’s worst and between 40% and 100% worse in five north Indian cities than at the same time the preceding year.

Air pollution behind 1 in 10 under-5 deaths’

Outdoor and indoor pollution are directly linked to respiratory diseases that account for almost one in 10 under-five deaths, making air pollution one of the leading dangers to children’s health.

Noida air 9 times beyond safe limit

The PM2.5 stood at 575 micrograms per cubic metre (gm3), nine-and-a-half times over the safe limit.

Global TB report a wake-up call for India

The report reveals the spread of this curable disease is larger than previously projected and moreover, the country accounts for 24 per cent of the global cases.

Longer working hours, work related stress is the major cause of cardiac stroke: Study

The case of young people fainting due to exhaustion is not an unknown factor in the current times in young people.

Don’t expect relief from smog before Nov 7

While the Met department has predicted a slight improvement in smog conditions during the day on Thursday, a significant improvement is expected only around November 7.