AI in Health Insurance Sparks Fight Between Patients and Providers

Health insurers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to assess and deny claims, but patients are now employing similar technology to challenge these denials. UnitedHealthcare, a major player in the industry, is facing scrutiny for its alleged use of an AI system with a high error rate, estimated at 90%, to deny claims. The company, which reportedly rejects about one-third of claims submitted—twice the industry average—is being sued over these practices. This controversy follows the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson last week.

In response to these challenges, individuals are taking matters into their own hands. A software engineer from the San Francisco Bay Area has created a free AI-powered tool to help patients draft appeals. This innovative solution generates pre-written appeals based on user-provided information. Meanwhile, startups like Claimable are stepping in to support patients using AI to combat insurance denials. Warris Bokhari, the cofounder and CEO of Claimable, explained, “This has come into sharp focus because of national events… but the problem has existed for a very long time beneath the surface.”

Nasdaq Reaches New Heights Amid AI Boom

The Nasdaq Composite soared to an all-time high on Wednesday, surpassing 20,000 for the first time in its 53-year history. This record-breaking surge is attributed to the growing influence of AI, with key contributors including Broadcom, Alphabet, Crowdstrike, Tesla, Nvidia, and Amazon.

Adding to the financial milestones, the price of Bitcoin climbed above $100,000 on Wednesday, continuing its post-election rally. After a brief two-day dip, Bitcoin gained nearly 6%, reaching $101,300 by late afternoon.

Inflation Steady as Fed Prepares Rate Cuts

In its final report for the year, the U.S. reported a 2.7% year-over-year increase in consumer prices for November, aligning with analysts’ expectations. The Federal Reserve is expected to implement a 25-basis-point rate cut next week. However, recent comments from Fed officials suggest a preference for more gradual adjustments moving forward.

Major Developments in the Crypto World

Circle and Binance, two prominent players in the cryptocurrency sector, have announced a new partnership. This collaboration strengthens ties between Binance and USD Coin, a stablecoin with $41 billion in managed assets. This move is seen as an effort to boost Binance’s reputation, particularly after its founder Changpeng Zhao resigned as CEO and admitted to anti-money laundering violations last year.

Musk Hits Unprecedented Wealth Milestone

Elon Musk’s net worth briefly surpassed $400 billion, making him the richest individual Forbes has ever tracked. This milestone came after a $58 billion increase in his wealth on Wednesday, following SpaceX’s buyback of insiders’ shares in a deal that valued the company at $350 billion.

Meanwhile, the business world mourns the loss of billionaire David Bonderman, the founder of private equity firm TPG. Bonderman, who was instrumental in numerous leveraged buyouts and owned the Seattle Kraken NHL team, passed away at 82. Forbes estimated his net worth at $7.4 billion at the time of his death.

Google’s AI-Driven Smart Glasses

Google has introduced a prototype for smart eyeglasses powered by its new Gemini AI model. The glasses are designed to provide users with real-time environmental information. Unlike the company’s earlier Google Glass, which faced privacy-related backlash, this new initiative aims to capitalize on a more receptive market for wearable tech.

Political and Legal Developments

Linda McMahon, a former WWE executive and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, made headlines for her financial support of Trump’s rallies. She donated $1 million to the America First Action Fund, which later paid $500,000 to host an event at Madison Square Garden.

In related news, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced plans to resign in January. Wray, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, has faced criticism from Trump over the FBI’s involvement in various investigations concerning him. Trump has already nominated Kash Patel to replace Wray.

Sports Updates and Controversies

Forbes’ latest ranking of the World’s 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams places the Dallas Cowboys at the top for the ninth consecutive year, with an estimated worth of $10.1 billion. NBA teams also made significant strides, with an average valuation of $4.4 billion—an almost 600% increase over the past decade.

Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, sparking criticism over its human rights record and allegations of “sports washing.” Critics have also questioned the ease with which FIFA approved the bid, though the organization asserts that the event could encourage positive change.

The UnitedHealthcare Fallout and Executive Safety

The tragic death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson has ignited discussions around the safety of corporate executives. Only about 25% of public companies currently provide personal security for their leaders. Factors such as high costs and unclear tax benefits have deterred broader adoption of executive protection measures.

Concerns Over a Potential TikTok Ban

Legislation aimed at banning TikTok includes provisions that would allow creators to retrieve their data before the platform is restricted. Users can download their data through an in-app feature or file a request using a legal form if additional information is needed.

European Tech Investment on the Rise

European AI startups, including Mistral, Helsing, and Wayve, raised over $2.2 billion in the past year, signaling growing interest in the region’s tech sector. Forbes’ Midas List Europe highlights the continent’s top tech investors, with Pawel Chudzinski of Point Nine Capital taking the lead. Chudzinski’s early investments in Revolut, Mambu, and Chainalysis contributed to his top ranking.

Despite challenges such as the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and tensions with the U.S., European investors continue to back high-value startups. “It’s unbelievable,” Chudzinski told Forbes, reflecting on the rapid development of Europe’s tech ecosystem.

NFL Expands International Reach

The NFL is set to host its first-ever regular season game in Berlin next year as part of its strategy to grow its international audience. Germany, home to 20 million NFL fans, is becoming a key market for the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at plans to hold up to eight international games next season.

Navigating Career Conversations

Asking for a raise can be challenging, but preparation is key. Employees are encouraged to evaluate their contributions, such as driving revenue growth or reducing costs, and research industry standards for their roles before initiating discussions with their employers.

Physician Burnout, A Misnomer For Physician Moral Injury

Physician burnout is probably a misnomer and should be referred to as physician moral injury,  which is a pervasive issue affecting healthcare professionals worldwide. AMA physician burnout refers to the phenomenon of doctors experiencing symptoms such as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment.

By Sunil Kaza MD FACCSurveys have shown MD  burnout of 38% in 2020 which increased to 61% in 2021 caused many physicians to leave practice or cut back on hours. The Covid pandemic certainly contributed to the peak of this phenomenon. some of the fundamental sources of burnout for physicians existed before the pandemic, and they persist after.

However, it slowly went down to 48% in 2023. This is still a staggering number, as it represents close to half the physicians.

One is the amount of stress that physicians report because of their job, and the other is feeling valued. And what we find is about half of physicians feel stressed because of their job, but it’s not what some people might think. It’s not because of the hard work of taking care of sick patients. It is hard work, but that’s what physicians signed up for. That’s what we went through all the training for. That’s actually what gives us meaning and purpose.

But the stress comes from spending our time doing the wrong work. From things that get in the way of taking the very best care we can of patients. So one of the top reasons that physicians report stress is that there’s not enough support staff. So physicians end up, then, doing work that other team members could do if there were more support staff, and that means we can’t offer the same level of care to our patients or the same care to as many patients as we would if there was adequate staffing. So that’s one of the big sources of stress.

And, the other is that there are just too many administrative tasks to be done, like prior authorization, and additional administrative tasks that contribute to stress.

As per the latest AMA survey currently, only about half of our physicians said they feel valued, although that’s higher than it had been in the previous years.

Causes of Physician Burnout:

  1. Excessive Workload: Long hours, heavy patient loads, and administrative tasks.
  2. Lack of Autonomy: Decreased control over practice, decisions, and workload. Increased demands from hospital administrators.
  3. Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Time-consuming data entry, decreased patient interaction.
  4. Regulatory Burden: Compliance with regulations, insurance, and billing requirements.
  5. Lack of Support: Inadequate staffing and resources.
  6. Patient Expectations: Unreasonable demands, lack of empathy, and increasing complexity of disease.
  7. Financial Pressures: Decreasing reimbursement, increasing malpractice costs.
  8. Lack of Work-Life Balance: Blurred boundaries between personal and professional life.
  9. On-call burden.

Potential Solutions:

  1. Wellness Programs: Mindfulness, self-care, and mental health resources. Yoga, meditation
  2. Efficient Workflows: Streamline clinical processes, reduce administrative tasks.
  3. EHR Optimization: Improve user experience, reduce data entry burden. Reduce redundancies
  4. Flexible Scheduling: Part-time, telemedicine, or flexible hours options.
  5. Team-Based Care: Collaborative practice models, shared responsibilities.
  6. Leadership Support: Regular check-ins, open communication, and resources. Reducing financial pressure by hospital administrators.
  7. Burnout Prevention Training: Education on recognizing, managing, and preventing burnout.
  8. Policy Changes: Advocate for regulatory, legislative, and organizational changes.
  9. Peer Support Groups: Confidential forums for sharing experiences and advice.
  10. Recognition and Rewards: Acknowledge and reward physicians’ hard work and dedication.

Implementing these solutions requires a multifaceted approach, involving individual physicians, healthcare organizations, and policymakers. By addressing the root causes of burnout, we can promote a healthier, more sustainable medical profession.

References:

  1. https://letdoctorsbedoctors.wordpress.com/2024/12/14/the-decline-of-the-doctor-from-healers-to-providers/
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10773242/

(Sunil Kaza, MD, FACC is a Cardiologist from Nashville, TN and IS currently serving as the Chair, AAPI BOT 2024-25)

Massachusetts to Open New Pathway for Internationally-Trained Doctors to Practice

Physicians trained outside the United States will soon have a new opportunity to practice medicine in Massachusetts, thanks to a program designed to grant medical licenses under specific conditions. State officials are introducing this initiative to address critical shortages in medical care, particularly in primary care. The move is seen as a step toward bridging the gap between healthcare demand and available physicians.

The program allows internationally-trained doctors to practice without undergoing a traditional residency or training program. Instead, these physicians would work under a limited or restricted license, supervised within community health centers or hospitals. They would also receive mentorship for a minimum of three years. This arrangement specifically targets areas where access to primary care doctors is scarce and patients face long wait times for appointments.

According to the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, there are potentially hundreds of physicians living in the state with international medical training who could provide care for tens of thousands of patients.

“It’s a win, win,” said Saira Asjad, a former primary care doctor in Pakistan now residing in Massachusetts. “This will bridge that gap between the health care need and the physicians who are not able to practice.”

State Senator Jason Lewis, a Democrat from Middlesex and an advocate for integrating internationally-trained doctors into the Massachusetts healthcare workforce, expressed optimism about the program’s potential. “There’s a lot of evidence that these physicians who speak other languages, who understand other cultures, provide excellent care to populations that share the same background and culture,” Lewis said.

The program was incorporated into an economic development bill signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in late November. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine will oversee the creation of operating rules for the initiative, which is expected to take about a year before the first applicants begin their work.

Michael Curry, president of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, envisions this program serving as a model for other healthcare professions, such as nursing. He anticipates significant interest from medical professionals worldwide. “We’ll be a place that people come from all over the country and even all over the globe to come here to practice,” Curry said.

Massachusetts joins a small group of states exploring ways to leverage the expertise of internationally-trained doctors to improve access to primary care. However, efforts in other states have faced challenges. For instance, Tennessee regulators hesitated to approve similar applications due to difficulties in verifying applicants’ credentials.

To address these concerns, Massachusetts plans to implement regulations requiring internationally-trained physicians to pass exams and obtain the same credentials required of U.S.-trained doctors.

This program represents a significant step in tackling the growing healthcare needs of underserved populations while providing a pathway for skilled international professionals to contribute meaningfully to the state’s healthcare system.

AAPI Initiatives Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Donation Drive

“I am grateful to the dozens of local AAPI Chapter leaders, members and volunteers across the nation who have initiated and organized Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Registration across the nation, joining hands with the national AAPI in our efforts in creating awareness and enrolling more youth and adults to be part of this noble initiative,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, an Oncologist based in Dayton, OH and the President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI,) the largest ethnic organization in the United States.

The Stem Cell/Bone Marrow initiative has been a major focus under the leadership of Dr. Kathula-led AAPI’s Executive Committee. AAPI has partnered with National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) to increase the Indian donor pool. One can join the NMDP Registry if you’re between the ages of 18-40, a resident of the United States, and don’ t have major medical illnesses.

Giving the background and the urgent needto this new initiative,Dr. Sashi Kuppala, Chairman of the AAPI Stem Cell Drive, said, “Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma need blood stem cell transplant to survive. Matching the stem cell or bone marrow donors to patients is based on Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. HLA are Proteins or markers found on most cells in our body and they are inherited from our biological parents and are largely depend on ethnicity.”

Feature and Cover AAPI Initiatives Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Donation Drive 1Stressing the importance of registering for the Bone Marro donation, Dr. Suni Kaza, Chair of AAPI BOT said, “You could be a patient’s only match-their only hope for a cure. When you register, you’re committing to donating to any patient in the world. But because a decision not to donate can be life-threatening to the patient, please think seriously about your commitment before joining the registry. And, be aware that there are absolutely no complications to the donor from this donation procedure.”

According to Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President-Elect of AAPI, “In general, 70% of parents needing a stem cell transplant don’t have a fully matched donor in their family and approximately 12,000 patients per year depend on transplant from an unrelated donor to survive. These numbers are even dire for cancer patients of Indian ethnicity as the donor pool of Indian ethnicity is very limited.”

Regarding the process to be part of this noble effort, Dr. Meher Medavaram, Vice President of AAPI said, “Registration is easy. You just need to log in with the QR code provided and register with your details at the NMDP website. They will send you a cheek swab kit which you need to return to them. They will perform the HLA typing of your DNA and store the information in their data base.”

Dr. Raj Bhayani, Secretary of AAPI said, “If you’re a match to a patient, who needs stem cells, you’ll be asked to provide blood samples for further testing. Blood work is typically done locally. Travel will likely be required for donation. It costs you nothing to donate. NMDP pays for all donation-related expenses. The donation process takes an average of 20-30 hours spread over 4-6 weeks.”

“It is very difficult to find a matched stem cell donor for South Asians should they need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and this drive will help increase the number of potential donors.” Dr. Shirish Patel, Treasurer of AAPI said, “Bone Marrow donation helps save lives.”

Dr. Sashi Kuppalasaid, he and the AAPI leadership will be happy to educate about the donation process and answer any questions.“We strongly believe that it’s a very a noble and much nededinitiative by AAPI to help save lives. While we thank those who are leading the efforts in your own state/towns, I urge others to take the lead in your towns and help  AAPI in our efforts to save lives. Thank you and truly appreciate your support in helping the patients who are in need of Bone Marrow.”

The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, our adopted land, the US, and in a very significant way to the transformation of Indo-US relations.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies and programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for physicians of Indian origin.

For more details about organizinga Bone Marrow Donation Drive in your city/town/region, please contact: Sashikuppala@yahoo.com. For more details on AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa,org

A World Without Childhood Blindness: Hope for Tomorrow – A Fundraiser for The Eye Foundation of America Planned in New Delhi, India

“Every child deserves to see the world with clarity and purpose. Let’s join hands to eradicate childhood blindness and unlock a brighter future for generations to come,” says Dr. Vadrevu K. Raju, a world-renowned ophthalmologist, philanthropist, and the founder of the Eye Foundation of America (EFA). 

In response to this noble call, Grant Thornton, The Rotary Club District – 3011 (Delhi) in collaboration with the Young Rotarians, who are truly committed, and the Gautami Institute have joined hands with the Eye Foundation of America to organize a major Fundraiser with the theme, “Hope for Tomorrow” at the prestigious India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on Friday, January 31, 2025.

A World Without Childhood BlindnessAmong the many initiatives Dr. Raju has undertaken, the upcoming Fundraiser in New Delhi is a pan-India Roll Out Program with the objective of raising $500,000, which will be matched by the Eye Foundation of America. The funds raised will be utilized towards establishing 100 ROP screening centers across India; Training 500 healthcare professionals in ROP screening and treatment; and, Treating 10,000 ROP-affected babies annually across India.

Lord Rami Ranger, a well-known philanthropist, and successful businessman from the United Kingdom, who will be the Chief Guest at the Fundraiser, while echoing the mission of EFA says, “Childhood blindness is a solvable problem, but it requires our collective action.” According to Lord Ranger, a Board Member of the Eye Foundation of America and Eye Foundation of UK, who has been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen on Eight occasions for his Business leadership in and for community services, “Together, we can ensure that every child has access to quality eye care and a chance to reach their full potential.”

Dr. Raju, a physician with a noble vision, who has dedicated his entire life to helping make “the world where every child can see, learn, and thrive without the shadows of blindness,” while referring to scientific studies says, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) affects 200,000 premature babies in India annually, leading to irreversible blindness.”

According to the South Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, of the 3.5 million premature babies born in India, nearly one in six (600,000) babies are born less than 32 weeks gestational age. Estimating that 40% of them receive neonatal care and 80% of them survive, over 200,000 chilkdren are at risk for developing Retinopathy of Prematurity. 

Dr. Raju, who has lived in England and the USA longer than in India, has visited India more than 140 times since 1977. Each visit is a working vacation to combat avoidable blindness among Indians, especially children.  He founded “Eye Foundation of America” in 1979, which is active in India and 31 other developing countries across the globe.

An Adjunct Professor at John Hopkins University, Dr. Raju believes that Retinopathy can cause blindness; however, early detection and treatment can prevent blindness in up to 90% of cases. The EFA is now a global organization, whose noble initiatives have resulted in screening and treating a total of over 3.5+ million people in addition to one million school children, and the mission continues to impact many more every day around the world. EFA has performed hundreds of thousands of surgeries, and trained hundreds of eye care professionals to join in the global fight against preventable blindness.

Born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India, Dr. V.K. Raju is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at West Virginia University, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Director of the International Ocular Surface Society, Director of the Ocular Surface Research and Education Foundation, Chairman of Goutami Eye Institute in Rajahmundry and is the President and Founder of the Eye Foundation of America, a non-profit organization dedicated to realizing a world without childhood blindness. Dr. Raju earned his medical degree from Andhra University and completed an ophthalmology residency and fellowship at the Royal Eye Group of Hospitals in London.

A World Without Childhood Blindness 1For the past four decades, Dr. Raju and the EFA have been actively and tirelessly on a crusade to eliminate avoidable blindness in areas plagued by poverty and poor access to medical care. The EFA’s mission is to eliminate avoidable blindness under the guiding principles of service, teaching, and research.

This is accomplished through eye camps and brick-and-mortar hospitals in developing countries, training of medical personnel to serve the needy, and educating the population at large on preventative eye care and healthy lifestyle choices. With adequate education, patients are empowered to take charge of their lives and their own health and prevent further deleterious consequences of their poor lifestyle choices, while sharing this knowledge with their friends and families.

The public is educated on eye care and injury prevention, and local teachers are taught how to screen for early eye problems in children. Patients, their families, and the greater community benefit from preventative medical care, free procedures, and access to education.

When education and preventative measures are insufficient, medical and surgical interventions are performed. With the aim of permanently providing world-class state-of-the art services to populations with poor access to health care, the EFA helped to build 2 hospitals in rural India: the Srikiran Eye Institute and the Goutami Eye Institute.

With all of Dr. Raju’s momentous achievements, he has also ensured that his life’s work and vision are self-sustaining. The Goutami Institute, which has been honoured as the Best Eye Hospital in the state of Andhra Pradesh by the state Government continues to add new buildings, more staff and equipment, and mobile clinics to meet the growing demand for treatment for children and adults.

A World Without Childhood Blindness 2The Goutami Institute has a wing dedicated exclusively for children, and the EFA has future plans to build a service and research eye hospital in India where no child will be denied treatment and children from around the world can come to receive services. Dr. Raju and the EFA are also committed to finding new cures for age-old eye disease in children.

“I feel so incredibly thankful for my personal and professional gifts, and I make great efforts to share those gifts with those in need of my services,” says Dr. Raju. “I am ever grateful to India for giving me stellar medical education for almost free. The work of EFA and the Goutami Eye institute wouldn’t be possible without the support of our Board Members, who go beyond to enhance and help realize our mission to make the world free of blindness.”

Dr. Raju has generously and freely given his own time, money, and medical expertise to help the less fortunate for the past several decades. Dr. Raju’s over 40 years of noble work have helped and is continuing to restore vision to millions in India and abroad. Never too tired to give his best for preventing, caring for, and sustaining the vision of the visually impaired, Dr. Raju says, “Our work is only just beginning.”

Dr. Raju says childhood blindness has far-reaching consequences. 75% of blind children never attend school.  Blindness reduces employability by 50%. Blindness increases poverty and social isolation. Urging everyone to be part of this noble mission, Dr. Raju says, “Together, Let Us Illuminate Young Lives and Create A World Without Childhood Blindness. Your Support Can: Change Lives, Restore Vision, And Empower Futures. Now, Let’s All Join the Movement; Be Part of Something Extraordinary.” For more information, please contact: info@eyefoundationofamerica.org

INANY Celebrates Nurses Practitioner Week

The Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY) celebrated this year’s Nurse Practitioner Week with a series of educational programs.  Held at the Kerala Center in Elmont, NY, the event featured presentations by Nurse Practitioners on crucial topics such as social health, serious health conditions, treatment options, and strategies for leading a healthy life.

The event welcomed Kimberly Velez, the Secretary of the New York Chapter of the American Nurses Association (ANA), as the chief guest.  Anto Paul, INANY’s Chair of the Education and Professional Development Committee, opened the session by welcoming the audience.  President Dr. Anna George emphasized the invaluable contributions of Nurse Practitioners to the healthcare field and highlighted INANY’s endeavors over the years to support underserved communities, nursing students and social health initiatives.

In light of the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coalition of Asian American Children and Families (CACF) has partnered with INANY to address this social health crisis.  The grant INANY received is being utilized to provide education and training for potential victims and bystanders.  During the event, Dr. Anna George, Dr. Soleymol Kuruvilla, and Dr. Ani Jacob presented a training program known as “5D Bystander Intervention” for nurses to help combat these issues.

INANY Celebrates Nurses Practitioner WeekHeart attacks remain a leading cause of death in the United States, with someone experiencing one every forty seconds.  Shiny Xavier and Laicy Mecheril, two experienced Nurse Practitioners, conducted an interactive session titled “Myocardial Infarction:  Timely Intervention”.   They brought up the latest knowledge and evidence-based interventions in treating heart attacks.  Bessy Thankavelu, another expert in the field, presented “A Perspective on Women and Heart Disease” and discussed how heart attack symptoms can differ for women, often leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Dr. Shabnam Multani discussed the benefits of Tai Chi in preventing falls among older adults, explaining how slow controlled movements by Tai Chi can enhance balance, stability, and overall body awareness.  This can effectively reduce the risk of fall.  Additionally, Bejit Joseph, a physical therapist, provided practical tips for improving body posture at home and work to alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain.

All attendees received continuing education credits approved by APRN World.  Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrated in November, is a time to acknowledge the essential role of Nurse Practitioners in healthcare.  With a growing shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas, Nurse Practitioners are stepping in to fill the gap.  Currently, there are 385,000 Nurses Practitioners in the U.S., many practicing in hospitals and healthcare settings, managing less complex cases.  While some studies suggest patients prefer medical doctors with more education, those who have experienced care from both Nurse Practitioners and doctors often report no significant difference in care quality.   In fact, many appreciate that Nurse Practitioners can dedicate more time to patient education on prevention and healthy living.

Kimberly Velez, the chief guest, expressed gratitude for the extensive services provided by Indian Nurses in healthcare and the community.  She thanked INANY for supporting higher nursing education and for the invaluable contributions to society. Sini Bobby, Chair of the APRN committee of INANY gave the vote of thanks.

Health Insurance CEO’s Killing Sparks Outrage and Exposes Frustration with U.S. Healthcare System

The “brazen and targeted” killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, outside a New York hotel, has shocked the nation. Thompson’s death has not only drawn attention to the tragic incident itself but has also ignited a wave of public anger toward the trillion-dollar health insurance industry. The murder has amplified ongoing frustrations with a system that many Americans believe is broken.

The phrase “prior authorisation,” central to insurance operations, has become a flashpoint of contention. This process allows insurers to evaluate and approve medical treatments before agreeing to cover them. Critics argue that such measures often lead to delays or outright denials of necessary care.

This sentiment was palpable during a July protest outside UnitedHealthcare’s Minnesota headquarters. Over 100 people from various states, including Maine, Texas, and West Virginia, gathered to decry the company’s policies and denial of claims. The demonstration, organised by the People’s Action Institute, resulted in the arrest of eleven protesters for blocking a road. According to Unai Montes-Irueste, the group’s media strategy director, many of those present had personal experiences with claim denials. “They are denied care, then they have to go through an appeals process that’s incredibly difficult to win,” Montes-Irueste explained.

This underlying frustration burst into the spotlight following Thompson’s murder. As the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group, Thompson led the largest insurer in the U.S. While police are still searching for the suspect and the motive remains unclear, shell casings found at the crime scene bore words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose”—terms critics associate with tactics insurers allegedly use to avoid payouts.

Online reactions to Thompson’s death revealed the deep-seated anger many feel toward the health insurance industry. A scan of Thompson’s LinkedIn profile showed comments from individuals frustrated with denied claims. One woman with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer wrote, “We’ve just left [UnitedHealthcare] because of all the denials for my meds. Every month there is a different reason for the denial.”

Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, shared that he had received threats before the incident. “There had been some threats,” she told NBC. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of [medical] coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”

Philip Klein, a security expert who previously worked with Thompson, expressed shock over the lack of security during the executive’s New York trip. “There’s a lot of anger in the United States of America right now,” he remarked. Klein noted that corporate leaders often face threats stemming from public frustration over high costs and limited access. “Companies need to wake up and realise that their executives could be hunted down anywhere,” he added.

Following the shooting, politicians and industry officials expressed condolences. Michael Tuffin, president of the insurance industry organisation Ahip, called Thompson’s death a tragedy. “He was a devoted father, a good friend to many, and a refreshingly candid colleague and leader,” Tuffin said. UnitedHealth Group acknowledged the support it had received from “patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials, and other caring people.”

However, online commentary painted a contrasting picture. Many criticized insurance companies for claim denials and excessive costs. Some used dark humor, such as quipping “thoughts and prior authorisations,” a play on the common phrase “thoughts and prayers.” Others went as far as celebrating Thompson’s death, reflecting the depth of animosity toward the system. The outrage spanned the political spectrum, uniting left-wing activists, right-wing critics of corporate influence, and ordinary individuals sharing personal stories of denied care.

Montes-Irueste, while condemning the violence, acknowledged the widespread bitterness. “We have a balkanised and broken healthcare system,” he said, adding that the frustration stems from diverse experiences with a system that many feel is failing them.

Criticism of the insurance industry is not new. A recent Commonwealth Fund study revealed that 45% of insured working-age adults were billed for services they believed should have been covered. Additionally, 17% reported that their insurers denied coverage for doctor-recommended care. Less than half of those who suspected billing errors chose to contest them, highlighting the complexity and opacity of the system.

Sara Collins, a senior scholar at The Commonwealth Fund, described the U.S. healthcare system as both expensive and convoluted. “Just navigating and understanding how you get covered can be challenging for people,” she explained. While things might appear manageable when people are healthy, problems often arise when they require substantial medical care. Collins added, “We find high rates of people saying that their healthcare costs are unaffordable, across all insurance types, even Medicaid and Medicare. We truly have a medical debt crisis.”

The high costs of healthcare in the U.S. exacerbate these issues. Christine Eibner, a senior economist at the RAND Corporation, noted that average insurance premiums for a family hover around $25,000 annually, with out-of-pocket expenses often adding thousands more. “On top of that, people face out-of-pocket costs, which could easily be in the thousands of dollars,” she said.

UnitedHealthcare and other major insurers have faced lawsuits and investigations over their practices. Last year, UnitedHealthcare settled a case involving a chronically ill college student who amassed $800,000 in medical debt after his prescribed medications were denied. ProPublica, which covered the case, highlighted how the student struggled under the weight of the bills. The company is also contesting a class-action lawsuit accusing it of using artificial intelligence to prematurely terminate treatments.

Despite these controversies, many Americans still hold favorable views of their insurers. A survey by KFF found that while two-thirds blamed insurance companies for high healthcare costs, 81% rated their coverage as “excellent” or “good.”

Yet, the anger remains palpable, reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with a system that leaves many feeling vulnerable and neglected. As Tuffin defended the industry, calling his colleagues “mission-driven professionals working to make coverage and care as affordable as possible,” the divide between public perception and industry claims became starkly evident.

For now, the murder of Brian Thompson serves as a grim reminder of the tensions that exist within the U.S. healthcare system. Whether it leads to meaningful reforms or further entrenches the divide between insurers and the public remains to be seen.

Khanna Addresses Health Care Debate and Federal Spending Amid UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Death

Following the tragic death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., expressed his condolences while acknowledging the intense debate that his killing sparked regarding inequalities in the U.S. health care system. While Khanna made it clear that violence could not be justified, he remarked that the widespread reaction to Thompson’s death came as no surprise.

“There is no justification for violence,” Khanna said during an interview on ABC’s “This Week” with anchor Martha Raddatz. “But the outpouring afterwards has not surprised me.” His comments followed the killing of Thompson, which led to a significant manhunt for the suspected perpetrator and a national conversation about the high costs associated with health care in the United States. The incident also ignited online discussions about the role of the insurance industry in these rising costs.

Khanna aligned himself with independent Senator Bernie Sanders’ view on the issue, which critiques the massive spending on healthcare administration. Sanders argued that the U.S. wastes billions of dollars annually on administrative expenses in health care, money that enriches insurance CEOs and wealthy stockholders while millions of Americans remain underinsured or lack coverage altogether. “We waste hundreds of billions a year on health care administrative expenses that make insurance CEOs and wealthy stockholders incredibly rich while 85 million Americans go uninsured or underinsured. Health care is a human right. We need Medicare for All,” Sanders wrote. Khanna echoed these sentiments, saying, “After years, Sanders is winning this debate.”

While Khanna expressed agreement with Sanders’ stance on health care, he also discussed the broader issues surrounding federal spending, notably in defense. He mentioned his support for President-elect Donald Trump’s initiative to establish a “Department of Government Efficiency” aimed at reducing wasteful federal spending. The president-elect appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramawamy to lead the new department, and they recently visited Capitol Hill to discuss their plans. Khanna shared his views on the need to focus on cutting unnecessary expenses, particularly in health care and defense.

“They should look at the extraordinary waste,” Khanna told Raddatz, stressing the importance of examining both Medicare and private health costs. He also suggested that addressing inefficiencies in defense spending could garner significant bipartisan support. “I think when it comes to defense, getting better defense for value and cutting costs, there can be huge bipartisan cooperation,” he stated.

Despite his support for efforts to cut wasteful spending, Khanna emphasized that certain critical programs should remain untouched. He firmly stated that cuts to Social Security, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and Medicare should not be part of any cost-cutting initiatives. His comments reflect the ongoing debate in Congress about the need to address the U.S. debt, which has surpassed $36 trillion.

Khanna also revealed that he has been in communication with Musk regarding his plans to reduce federal spending. He praised Musk’s role in advancing space exploration with the Obama administration, noting that his efforts in the private sector had made a significant impact.

In addition to his thoughts on health care and federal spending, Khanna was asked to weigh in on the ongoing discussions regarding the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. Following a recent Federal Appeals Court ruling, which rejected TikTok’s bid to overturn a law requiring the app to find a new owner or face a ban, the future of the platform in the U.S. remains uncertain. Khanna had previously expressed his opposition to a bill that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company or face a ban. He believed that such a move would likely face constitutional challenges.

“I don’t think it’s going to pass First Amendment scrutiny because I think there are less restrictive alternatives,” Khanna said in an earlier interview on “This Week.” He reiterated his stance on Sunday, expressing confidence that TikTok would not face a ban. “Let’s see where it goes with the Supreme Court,” he said, noting how many politicians themselves use the platform.

Khanna’s comments reflect his broader views on balancing security concerns with the protection of individual rights, a theme that resonates across many of his policy positions. His responses on both the health care system and the federal spending debate demonstrate his ongoing commitment to reform and efficiency in government.

As the manhunt for Thompson’s killer continues, Khanna’s remarks on health care offer a glimpse into the ongoing national conversation about the role of private insurers, government programs, and corporate spending in shaping the future of U.S. health care. Meanwhile, his thoughts on TikTok underscore his approach to navigating the intersection of technology, national security, and free speech.

Khanna’s perspectives reflect both his alignment with progressive views on health care and his pragmatic approach to addressing broader issues facing the country. The debate sparked by the killing of Thompson may continue to influence both political discourse and policy decisions in the months ahead, particularly as lawmakers confront the challenges posed by rising health care costs, federal debt, and global technology issues.

Targeted Killing of Health Executive Sparks Discussion on America’s Troubled Insurance System

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was tragically shot and killed in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday in what police describe as a “pre-meditated, preplanned, targeted attack.” Days earlier, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield faced backlash after announcing a policy to limit anesthesia coverage for surgeries exceeding a set duration in certain states—a decision quickly reversed following public outrage. These incidents have reignited debates about the deep-seated issues within the U.S. health insurance system.

In the United States, health coverage primarily depends on private insurers and government-run programs, collectively covering around 200 million Americans. Individuals typically receive insurance through employers, government initiatives like Medicaid or Medicare, or by purchasing private plans, often at steep costs. Despite having insurance, medical expenses can remain burdensome, with premiums, co-pays, and deductibles adding up. Additionally, unexpected medical scenarios, such as being taken to an out-of-network hospital by ambulance, can lead to astronomical bills.

Compounding these issues is the fact that insurers reject about one in seven treatment claims, according to data from state and federal regulators. Many patients accept these denials without contest, as a study reveals that only 0.1% of denied claims under the Affordable Care Act are formally appealed. This law was designed to enhance the affordability of insurance and prevent discrimination against pre-existing conditions, yet the reality leaves many paying out of pocket or forgoing necessary care altogether.

The emotional and financial toll of navigating this complex system is immense. For many, medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. The murder of Thompson and the outcry over Anthem’s proposed policy have spurred widespread criticism, particularly among individuals recounting personal struggles with the insurance system.

Jessica Alfano, a content creator known as @monetizationmom on TikTok, shared her harrowing experience battling UnitedHealthcare while her one-year-old child was hospitalized with a brain tumor. Her daughter required emergency surgery at a specialized hospital in New York City, but UnitedHealthcare allegedly refused to authorize the ambulance transfer. Alfano, nine months pregnant at the time, was told that if she transported her daughter without ambulance authorization, coverage at the destination hospital would be denied. “I vividly remember being on the phone with UnitedHealthcare for days and days—nine months pregnant about to give birth alone—while my other baby was sitting in a hospital room,” she recounted.

Allie, another TikToker who posts as @theseaowl44, shared her devastating ordeal. While pregnant, she visited the hospital in severe pain and was initially misdiagnosed with a urinary tract infection. When her condition worsened, she was diagnosed with appendicitis and rushed to a larger hospital for emergency surgery. Although her son survived the operation, he tragically passed away the next day after delivery. Soon after, Allie herself suffered a pulmonary embolism and required emergency procedures to save her life.

To her shock, she later discovered the hospital was out of her insurance network. “We ended up with a bill from the hospital that was more than what we paid for the home that we live in,” Allie said. After exhausting every appeal with her insurer, Cigna, she was forced to declare bankruptcy. Reflecting on her third and final appeal, she shared, “Cigna’s appeal physician told me, point blank, it was my fault that when I was dying from a ruptured appendix in the ER, I didn’t check and make sure that the hospital I was being sent to by ambulance was in my insurance network.”

Such stories are distressingly common. One TikTok commenter, @ChickWithSticks, recounted that despite being a paraplegic who relies on leg braces and crutches, their insurer attempted to deny new leg braces and only approved a wheelchair. “They wanted to take my ability to WALK away,” they wrote. Another user, Meagan Pitts, shared how her insurance covered her newborn’s NICU stay but denied the neonatologist’s services. “I’m sorry, what?” she asked incredulously.

A Redditor, @Sweet_Nature_7015, described their battle with UnitedHealthcare after a severe car accident left their husband in a coma. The insurer initially covered only two days of hospitalization and pressured the family to discharge the patient prematurely. “The stress of being told—your health insurance isn’t covering this anymore, we have to discharge your husband—while he’s in a freaking coma and on a ventilator, etc., ridiculous,” they wrote. Years later, after winning a court settlement against the driver responsible for the accident, UnitedHealthcare seized the entire settlement as reimbursement for the limited coverage it had provided.

In another account, Redditor @sebastorio visited the emergency room for a serious eye injury, only to have UnitedHealthcare deny the claim. “I paid $1,400 out of pocket,” they said, adding, “I’m one of the lucky ones. Can’t imagine how people would feel if that happened for critical or life-saving care.”

The frustration extends to maternity care as well. Redditor @colonelcatsup faced a bureaucratic nightmare when premature labor coincided with an insurance transition from one company to UnitedHealthcare. The insurer refused to cover the over $80,000 NICU bill, claiming it was not their responsibility. The resulting barrage of collection calls and mail added enormous stress during an already difficult time. “My credit took a hit,” they shared, adding that only the intervention of their employer’s attorney compelled UnitedHealthcare to pay. “I will never forgive them for the added stress hanging over me for the first year and a half of my child’s life.”

Author Bess Kalb detailed her own ordeal in a Substack post, recalling an incident during her pregnancy when she was bleeding heavily. An EMT hesitated to transport her to the nearest hospital until confirming her insurance coverage. Kalb and her husband chose to proceed despite the uncertainty, resulting in a bill exceeding $10,000. She condemned the insurance industry for forcing people into impossible choices. “The private insurance industry forces millions of Americans to choose between debt or death,” Kalb wrote. “Often, ghoulishly, the outcome is both.”

These stories underscore the human cost of the dysfunctional U.S. insurance system. Whether it’s battling denied claims, facing insurmountable debt, or enduring the emotional toll of bureaucratic hurdles during medical emergencies, millions of Americans are left vulnerable. The killing of Thompson and the uproar over Anthem’s brief policy change have shone a spotlight on a broken system, but the personal accounts of those affected reveal the depth of the crisis. For many, the question remains: when will substantive change come?

Dr. Vivek Murthy, Aamir Khan, and Ira Khan Share Insights on Mental Health and Therapy

Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States, joined Bollywood star Aamir Khan and his daughter, entrepreneur Ira Khan, for a discussion on mental health in a recent Netflix India Mental Health Podcast. The podcast aimed to encourage open dialogue about mental well-being and promote the normalization of seeking help. By sharing personal stories and discussing mental health challenges, the trio worked to destigmatize mental illness, particularly in the Indian context.

Dr. Murthy reflected on how perceptions of mental health have evolved over the years. Speaking on his own experiences, Aamir Khan noted, “When I was growing up, very little was understood about it. There was a lot of shame attached to it, like as you pointed out. If there was someone who had a, you know, mental health problem in the family, it was usually hidden. As opposed to, you know, seeking help and trying to help. It was spoken quite loosely.” He acknowledged that while awareness has grown, fostering meaningful communication in India remains a challenge due to its linguistic diversity.

Ira Khan, known for her openness about her battle with depression, shared how she recognized her mental health struggles. “…living was an effort… When I stopped eating because it was too much effort to eat, then I was like, okay, maybe you should tell somebody,” she revealed. Highlighting the importance of seeking help, Ira encouraged trying different approaches and seeking therapy when needed.

For Aamir Khan, understanding Ira’s mental health journey was initially overwhelming. Reflecting on his role as a father, he admitted, “…I didn’t know how to deal with it. I didn’t know how to help.” He shared that his intense focus on his career often came at the cost of addressing his children’s needs. Recognizing this, he sought therapy for himself and participated in joint sessions with Ira, which he described as transformative for their relationship.

The conversation expanded to address issues like loneliness and the influence of social media on young people. Ira described loneliness as a significant problem and pointed out how social media exacerbates it. “Loneliness is huge,” she said, adding, “I think social media is a big problem with that because what you talked about was also being themselves without being judged, which is a big part of what makes you feel connected or not. Being lonely or feeling connected is a subjective experience…”

She elaborated on how the curated nature of social media prevents individuals from being vulnerable or authentic. “But because of social media, you’re trying to be cool, portray yourself in a certain way. You’re not putting your true self out there. So, no one is seeing your true self. Then you’re not connecting with anybody.” Ira emphasized the need for honesty and vulnerability to foster deeper connections and combat loneliness.

Dr. Murthy provided sobering statistics to highlight the gravity of loneliness. “More than 50 percent of young people in the US struggle with loneliness and about a third of adults,” he stated. He explained that social disconnection not only increases the risk of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and suicide but also contributes to physical ailments such as heart disease, dementia, and premature death. “When people are socially disconnected from each other, that increases their risk of depression and anxiety and suicide. But it also increases their risk of heart disease and dementia and premature death. So, the bottom line is a lot of people are experiencing this,” he said.

The podcast also explored daily habits that contribute to mental wellness. Aamir and Ira underscored the importance of basic practices like adequate sleep, physical activity, and thoughtful decision-making. Ira advised, “Find your balance,” and encouraged listeners to monitor their habits and tune into their bodies to determine what works best for both mental and physical health.

In offering guidance to parents and young people, Aamir Khan emphasized early intervention. He urged parents to act swiftly and seek professional help without hesitation when they notice their child is struggling. “The child’s well-being should always come first,” he stressed, adding that turning to experts or trusted individuals is a vital step.

Ira echoed this sentiment, urging parents to set aside feelings of fear, guilt, or shame that may hinder their ability to provide effective support. To young people, Aamir suggested that they communicate openly with their parents about their challenges while being understanding if their parents struggle to respond adequately.

Dr. Murthy concluded the discussion by calling the podcast a “beautiful experience.” The candid and heartfelt exchange among the participants highlighted the importance of addressing mental health issues openly and the transformative power of seeking help and fostering meaningful connections.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula During Meeting With Parliamentarians From India At Indian Consulate In New York Stresses The Importance Of Preventive Healthcare

“The need for preventing cancer and heart attacks through lifestyle modifications and technology is more than ever,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) told the Members of the Indian Parliament during a meeting organized by the Consulate in New York.“In a world where chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illnesses continue to pose significant health threats, where corrective mission has never been more urgent,” said Dr. Kathula.

Dr. Kathula was addressing a visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation consisting of Shri Birendra Prasad Baishya, Shri Vijayasai Reddy V, Shri Akshay Yadav, Smt. Sandhya Ray, Shri Tejasvi Surya , and Ms. Bansuri Swaraj were accorded a warm reception by the Consul General Binaya S. Pradhan and the Indian American community representatives at the Indian Consulate on November 20, 2024.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula During Meeting With Parliamentarians From India At Indian Consulate In New York Stresses The Importance Of Preventive HealthcareDr. Kathula was invited by the Hon. Consulate General of India in New York, Mr Binay Pradhan to participate and address the important meeting with distinguished Members of Parliament from India, as well as prominent leaders of the Indian-American community. This meeting offered a unique opportunity for meaningful exchanges on a wide range of topics that are critical to both India and the Indian diaspora in the United States.

In his address, while highlighting that cancer and cardiovascular illnesses are among the leading health challenges facing both Indians and Indian-Americans, Dr. Kathulacalled upon the Government of India to initiate effortswith greater emphasis on early detection, lifestyle interventions, and public health awareness campaigns to reduce the burden of these diseases. “Given the genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors prevalent within the Indian community, want to stressthe need for culturally sensitive healthcare solutions to better serve this population,” he said.

During the discussions, Dr. Kathula highlighted the invaluable contributions of Doctors of Indian descent in the United States. “As a group, Indian-American physicians play a critical role in shaping the healthcare landscape in the U.S., from providing high-quality care to advancing medical research and education. Their impact extends beyond patient care, as many Indian AmericanDoctors are engaged in leadership roles, working to improve the healthcare system, contributing to policymaking, and participating in humanitarian efforts both in the U.S. and in India.”

Highlighting the critical role being played by AAPI, Dr. Kathula said, “Over the past four decades since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between the U.S. and India, especially in the realm of healthcare. AAPI has been actively involved in a wide range of initiatives, from providing medical aid and educational support for healthcare professionals., especially during covid pandemic,” he added.

Hon’ble Members of the Indian Parliament had an engaging interaction with distinguished members of the Indian-American community. They lauded the incredible achievements and invaluable contributions of the Indian Diaspora to the diverse fabric of the USA, celebrating their commitment to Indian heritage and their significant role in fostering a strong India-USA partnership.

Earlier, Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan welcomed the members of the delegation and the leaders of the Indian American community. He spoke about the Bharat ko Janiye campaign launched by the government of India to provide the youth of the Indian Diaspora with an opportunity to visit India and know the country of their origin. He invited the community to be part of and attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations from January 8 to 10, 2025 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula During Meeting With Parliamentarians From India At Indian Consulate In New York Stresses The Importance Of Preventive HealthcareDiaspora members who were part of the meeting included Edison Mayor Sam Joshi , Dr. Samin K. Sharma, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mr. Gaurav Verma, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Dr. Avinash Gupta, Mr. Rakesh Kaul, Dr. Hari Shukla, and Mr. Jatinder Singh Bakshi, who shared their perspectives on different aspects of the Indian-American relationship and expressed a strong desire to give back to the motherland.

Members of the Indian community applauded India for its remarkable progress across sectors, especially in areas such as technology, innovation, and economic development. The growing ties between the two nations, particularly in trade, diplomacy, and education, were also acknowledged as a major achievement, with a focus on how both nations can continue to build on these relationships for mutual benefit.

Among other things, the meeting discussed initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, and socio-economic mobility for Indian-Americans, while also exploring ways to foster stronger cultural and community connections between the two countries.

Overall, the meeting was an invaluable platform for deepening our ties with India. The positive momentum generated by these conversations gives us hope for even greatercollaboration in the future, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, and cultural exchange. The discussions were highly productive and centered around the continued growth and global influence of India, as well as the strengthening of the Indo-US relationship.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies and programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa,org

British Lawmakers Approve Assisted Dying Bill in Landmark Vote

In a significant move, British lawmakers granted preliminary approval to a bill that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek assistance in ending their lives. The vote, which took place on Friday, followed an emotionally charged debate in Parliament that featured deeply personal stories of suffering and loss. The assisted dying bill passed with a 330-275 majority, signaling initial support but leaving further scrutiny and a final vote pending.

The debate lasted several hours and was marked by a level of decorum rarely seen in the House of Commons. Members of Parliament (MPs) discussed the ethical, religious, and legal ramifications of the proposed legislation with speeches delivered respectfully and without the usual interruptions. “Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about a choice between life or death, we are talking about giving dying people a choice about how to die,” said Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who sponsored the bill, as she introduced it to a packed chamber.

Supporters of the bill argued that it would offer dignity and autonomy to terminally ill individuals while alleviating unnecessary suffering. Proponents emphasized that the legislation includes robust safeguards to prevent misuse, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are protected. The proposed law would apply only to adults over 18 with less than six months to live. Those requesting assistance would need to be mentally capable of making the decision and able to self-administer the prescribed medication. Additionally, two independent doctors and a High Court judge would need to approve each case.

Critics, however, expressed strong reservations about the bill. Concerns were raised about the potential for coercion, particularly among the elderly and disabled, who might feel pressured to end their lives to ease the financial or emotional burden on their families. Danny Kruger, one of the leading voices against the bill, warned that no amount of safeguards could fully protect vulnerable individuals. “We should not create a state suicide service,” he said.

Kruger also expressed disappointment at the bill’s preliminary approval but remained optimistic that it could still be blocked in the final vote. “I still think we can stop it,” he said, noting that some MPs who voted in favor may change their stance after further examination of the bill’s details.

The bill’s progression has sparked widespread public interest, with hundreds of people gathering outside Parliament as the debate unfolded. Demonstrators on both sides of the issue displayed their views through slogans and banners. Opponents held signs reading, “Kill the bill, not the ill,” and criticized the potential strain on the National Health Service (NHS). On the other side, supporters, many wearing pink hats, carried messages such as “You can’t cure death. Please make it fear-free” and “Giving me choice over my death.”

The emotional intensity of the debate was underscored by personal accounts shared by MPs and activists. Proponents highlighted stories of terminally ill individuals who endured immense suffering in their final months or resorted to secret suicides due to the current legal prohibition on assisted dying. Esther Rantzen, a well-known campaigner and broadcaster who is terminally ill with lung cancer, hailed the outcome as a step toward equality and compassion. “It’s wonderful. This gives people an equal choice,” she said. Rantzen previously stated that she had considered traveling to Switzerland, where assisted dying is legal for non-residents, to end her life.

Despite its passage in the Commons, the bill faces significant hurdles before becoming law. The government is expected to provide assessments in the coming months on how assisted dying would be funded and how it might affect the NHS, hospice care, and the judicial system. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed support for the change but refrained from making a public statement before the vote. Divisions within political parties were evident, with members from all sides voting both for and against the measure. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood were among those who opposed the bill, despite being part of the ruling Labour Party.

The legislation applies only to England and Wales, leaving Scotland and Northern Ireland unaffected. International comparisons were also highlighted during the debate, with MPs noting that other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, and parts of the United States, have enacted similar laws. The regulations in these jurisdictions vary widely, with some permitting euthanasia, where a healthcare professional administers a lethal injection at the patient’s request.

For Joshua Cook, a 33-year-old living with Huntington’s disease, the bill represents progress toward a more compassionate society. “It’s a relief, it’s history,” Cook said after the vote. “Finally, we are getting towards having a society that shows love and compassion above the need to just keep people alive.”

The journey of this legislation is far from over. While Friday’s vote is a historic moment for advocates of assisted dying, it is only the first step in what promises to be a lengthy and contentious process. Both sides are prepared for further battles as the bill continues through Parliament.

Healthcare Providers Earn a Fraction of Total U.S. Healthcare Spending

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the significant yet relatively small portion of U.S. healthcare spending allocated to provider salaries. In total, healthcare providers collectively earn $966.99 billion, a substantial figure but still a fraction of the overall expenditures in the sector.

Physicians, numbering around one million in the United States, account for $262.33 billion of this total. This means their earnings represent just 7.3% of the $3.6 trillion spent on healthcare in 2019. While their role is critical to the system, their compensation is only a small portion of the immense financial resources channeled into healthcare annually.

Trump Names Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as Candidate for NIH Director, Sparking Debate

President-elect Donald Trump has announced Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University health researcher, as his choice for the next director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Bhattacharya, a physician and health economist, will require Senate confirmation to assume the role. The NIH, which employs over 18,000 people and allocates nearly $48 billion annually in scientific research funding, could see significant changes under his leadership.

“Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to the Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest Health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease. Together, they will work hard to Make American Healthy Again!” Trump stated while announcing the nomination.

If confirmed, Bhattacharya will lead the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research at a time when the NIH may face restructuring as part of broader government reforms. Historically supported by both political parties, the NIH faced proposed budget cuts under Trump’s first administration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency drew sharp criticism from some Republicans, a sentiment that persists toward its former leaders, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins.

Bhattacharya gained attention during the pandemic for co-authoring “The Great Barrington Declaration,” a controversial open letter released in October 2020. The document criticized lockdowns and mask mandates, advocating for herd immunity by allowing low-risk populations to become infected while protecting the vulnerable. Public health experts widely condemned it, with Collins describing it as “dangerous” and “fringe.” Dr. Gregory Poland, president of the Atria Academy of Science & Medicine, expressed concern about Bhattacharya’s appointment, stating, “They were wrong. So it is concerning.”

Virologist Angela Rasmussen of the University of Saskatchewan offered a harsher critique, stating, “I don’t think that Jay Bhattacharya belongs anywhere near the NIH, much less in the director’s office. That would be absolutely disastrous for the health and well-being of the American public and actually the world.”

However, Bhattacharya’s supporters argue his leadership could bring necessary reforms to the NIH. Kevin Bardosh, head of Collateral Global, praised him as a “visionary leader” who could challenge the NIH’s perceived “culture of groupthink.” Similarly, Martin Kulldorf, one of Bhattacharya’s co-authors of the declaration, commended him as an evidence-based scientist capable of restoring the NIH’s integrity.

Dr. Ashish Jha, who served as President Biden’s COVID-19 Response Coordinator, offered a more balanced perspective. “There were times during the pandemic where he took a set of views that were contrary to most people in the public health world, including my own views. But he’s fundamentally a very smart, well-qualified person,” Jha noted. He added that while Bhattacharya holds controversial views, his overall body of work places him within the scientific mainstream.

Bhattacharya’s potential tenure coincides with other controversial appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known critic of vaccines and mainstream medicine, as the likely head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has suggested replacing hundreds of NIH employees. Jha highlighted the challenge Bhattacharya may face working under Kennedy, noting, “He’ll have to deal with a boss who holds deeply unscientific views. That will be a challenge for Jay Bhattacharya but I suspect that will be a challenge for anybody who becomes the head of NIH.”

Proposals to restructure the NIH are already being discussed by Republican lawmakers and conservative think tanks. One idea involves consolidating the NIH’s 27 institutes and centers into 15, while another suggests implementing term limits for NIH leaders. Critics argue these changes could undermine the agency’s mission. Kulldorf, however, believes reforms are essential, stating, “In the United States, we abandoned evidence-based medicine during the pandemic. Therefore, there’s now enormous distrust… NIH has an important role to restore the integrity in medical research and public health research.”

Other proposed reforms include giving states block grants to allocate research funding, bypassing the NIH’s peer-review system. While some view this as a way to decentralize decision-making, others fear it could reduce the NIH’s budget and compromise the quality of research. Rasmussen voiced concerns, saying, “What I worry about is that if somebody like Jay Bhattacharya comes in to ‘shake up’ the NIH, they’re going to dismantle the NIH and prevent it from actually doing its job rather than just carry out constructive reforms.”

The Trump administration’s potential approach to certain types of research could further complicate matters. Fields like “gain-of-function” research, which examines how pathogens become more dangerous, may face stricter oversight. Some experts, like Daniel Correa of the Federation of American Scientists, support tighter lab security and oversight, stating, “Tightening lab security and revisiting and strengthening oversight over risky research… would be welcome.”

However, concerns exist that other areas of research, such as studies involving fetal tissue, could face renewed restrictions. Dr. Lawrence Goldstein of the University of California, San Diego, warned against such bans, explaining, “If Americans want to see rapid research on repairing organ damage and brain damage and all the other diseases we’re trying to fight, fetal tissue is a really important part of that toolbox.”

Bhattacharya’s nomination comes at a time of heightened political scrutiny of the NIH. The agency’s role in the pandemic response, including controversial guidance on masks and vaccines, made it a lightning rod for criticism. Fauci, in particular, became both a celebrated figure and a target for attacks, especially regarding his stance on the virus’s origins.

As Bhattacharya awaits Senate confirmation, debates over the NIH’s future continue. His critics worry about the agency’s direction under his leadership, while his supporters see an opportunity for meaningful change. Whether his appointment will bring constructive reforms or contentious disruptions remains to be seen.

Study Reveals Why Hair Turns Gray and Offers Hope for Reversing It

A recent study has uncovered a potential reason behind graying hair: stem cells that get stuck in place and lose their ability to produce pigment. Published in the journal Nature by researchers from New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, the study sheds light on how melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) contribute to hair color and why their dysfunction leads to gray hair.

The research primarily focused on McSCs, which play a pivotal role in producing pigment. Under normal circumstances, these stem cells move between different compartments within hair follicles. These compartments provide environments that allow McSCs to mature, acquire the proteins necessary to regenerate into pigment cells, and maintain hair color. What makes McSCs unique is their ability to shift between states of maturity as they travel between these compartments.

However, the study revealed that some McSCs get stuck in the hair follicle bulge compartment, preventing them from returning to the germ compartment. In the germ compartment, WNT proteins drive the regeneration of pigment cells. When McSCs remain immobile in the bulge, they lose their capacity to produce pigment, resulting in gray hair.

“It is the loss of chameleon-like function in melanocyte stem cells that may be responsible for graying and loss of hair color,” said Mayumi Ito, the study’s senior investigator and a professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and Department of Cell Biology at NYU Langone Health. “These findings suggest that melanocyte stem cell motility and reversible differentiation are key to keeping hair healthy and colored.”

The implications of the research suggest that if McSCs can continue moving freely or can be encouraged to move when stuck, it may be possible to maintain natural hair color indefinitely.

“Our study adds to our basic understanding of how melanocyte stem cells work to color hair,” explained Qi Sun, a postdoctoral fellow at NYU Langone Health and one of the study’s authors. “The newfound mechanisms raise the possibility that the same fixed positioning of melanocyte stem cells may exist in humans. If so, it presents a potential pathway for reversing or preventing the graying of human hair by helping jammed cells to move again between developing hair follicle compartments.”

The study also highlighted the difference between McSCs and the cells responsible for hair growth. According to Sun, even when pigment production ceases, hair growth can continue, albeit without color. As hair follicles age and undergo cycles of regrowth, an increasing number of McSCs become lodged in the follicle bulge, unable to regenerate pigment cells. Eventually, these stuck McSCs can account for approximately half of all the McSCs in a follicle bulge.

The research found that mobile McSCs retained their pigment-producing ability. However, over time, the requirements for McSC functionality become more challenging to meet, contributing to the appearance of gray hair as individuals age.

While stress is commonly linked to gray hair, separate research from Harvard indicates that stress accelerates hair follicle aging by increasing the regrowth cycle. This faster cycling ultimately speeds up the breakdown of McSC functionality, leading to earlier graying.

“For unknown reasons, the melanocyte stem cell system fails earlier than other adult stem cell populations, which leads to hair graying in most humans and mice,” the NYU study stated.

The next phase of the research aims to determine how to restore mobility to McSCs once they become stuck. If successful, this could pave the way for treatments that reverse or prevent gray hair by ensuring McSCs remain functional and capable of producing pigment.

As Ito remarked, “These findings suggest a promising avenue for interventions that could one day prevent or even reverse the graying process, bringing hope to those seeking to maintain their natural hair color throughout life.”

The Pursuit of Longevity: Insights from Valter Longo and the Italian Lifestyle

Long before Bryan Johnson gained recognition for his relentless quest to reverse aging through biohacking—rigorous testing, strict diets, and an array of supplements—Valter Longo was deeply immersed in the study of longevity. A professor of gerontology and director of the USC Longevity Institute, Longo has long pursued the dream of living a robust life spanning 120 to 130 years. His mission reflects a rising interest in not just increasing life span—the total number of years lived—but enhancing health span, which refers to living free of disease and in good health.

The allure of longevity has often been associated with the Mediterranean lifestyle, celebrated for its emphasis on healthy eating, physical activity, and strong community ties. Italy, and particularly Sardinia, is a shining example. Sardinia is one of the original “Blue Zones,” a term coined to describe regions where people live significantly longer and healthier lives. This phenomenon was explored in Dan Buettner’s Netflix series, Living to 100, which examined the lifestyle habits of Sardinia’s residents.

However, Longo, who hails from Italy, reveals a concerning shift in his home country. “Almost nobody in Italy eats the Mediterranean diet anymore,” he observes. According to a profile of Longo in The New York Times, Italian youth are grappling with rising obesity rates due to the growing dominance of what Longo labels the “poisonous five P’s—pizza, pasta, protein, potatoes, and pane (bread).” He warns that if this dietary pattern continues, Italians might maintain long life spans but suffer from diminished health during those years.

To counteract this trend, Longo advocates a return to the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is rich in plant-based foods, nuts, and healthy fats. As the author of The Longevity Diet, Longo not only promotes this dietary approach but also offers practical guidance through recipes on his website. These include dishes such as sweet and sour sardines, stuffed artichokes, cabbage patties, and onions in walnut sauce—each designed with longevity in mind.

In addition to traditional dietary practices, Longo has introduced an innovative concept in the field of longevity: the fasting-mimicking diet, or “faux fasting.” This approach involves reducing food intake to simulate the effects of fasting without requiring complete abstinence from food. According to his website, this diet is characterized by low carbohydrates and protein while being high in fatty acids. “The Fasting Mimicking Diet patented recipe allows your body to remain in a fasting-like mode, which triggers a set of protectionist measures that the body has developed during natural selection,” his site explains. This state, he claims, enables the body to rejuvenate cells, enhance performance, and adapt to challenging conditions.

While research on intermittent fasting and related approaches has uncovered both benefits and limitations, the method’s enduring popularity highlights the extent to which individuals are willing to experiment to extend their lives. Longo’s fasting-mimicking diet is one of many strategies being explored in this field, yet it offers a compelling blend of traditional wisdom and modern science.

The story of Valter Longo serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between cultural heritage and modern dietary trends. While regions like Sardinia provide a blueprint for healthy living, Longo’s work underscores the importance of adapting these lessons to contemporary challenges. His dedication to longevity continues to inspire a global audience eager to not just live longer, but live better.

AAPI’s Highly Successful 100 Days Under the Presidency of Dr. Satheesh Kathula

It’s been 100 days since Dr. Satheesh Kathula assumed charge as the President of AAPI in late July 2024. Dr. Kathula, who has risen from being an ordinary member over two decades ago to being the President today, has served AAPI in various capacities. He was the Regional Director, and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected overwhelmingly by AAPI members as the national Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of AAPI, and served as the President-Elect of AAPI during the year 2023-24. 

Dr. Kathula’s presidency began with organizing Leadership Seminars for AAPI leaders at the Indian Consulate in New York and leading the India Independence Day Parades. “I proudly represented AAPI at the Independence Day celebrations in both Chicago and New York. These events were not only a celebration of our heritage but also an opportunity to showcase the vital role AAPI plays in the community,” says Dr. Kathula.

Recognizing the importance of Media and the role it plays in conveying AAPI’s core messages and showcasing the many initiatives to AAPI members spread across the US and to the larger public, Dr. Kathula was instrumental in organizing the largest press conference in AAPI’s history at the Consul General’s office in NYC. “This event served to outline our strategic goals and initiatives, garnering significant media attention and public interest. In addition, this platform allowed us to raise awareness and advocate for necessary reforms, emphasizing the importance of protecting our healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Kathula.

Kathula 04In addition, he participated in an interview on BBC and with the Press Trust of India, where he addressed critical issues surrounding physician safety in India and the contributions of Indian American physicians.

His efforts to engage the Diplomatic officials of India in the US led him to his productive meetings with the Hon. Consul General of New York, Binay Pradhan and Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph. “These meetings fostered a stronger relationship between AAPI and Indian diplomatic channels, paving the way for future collaborations.

A critical priority of Dr. Kathula has been to build bridges with AAPI’s local chapters. In his efforts to reach out to the local Chapters, he attended several alumni meetings for Guntur, Rangaraya, and Siddhartha medical colleges, as well as Osmania, Gandhi, Kakatiya, Telangana medical colleges, and BJMC. Additionally, he participated at the Indian Physicians of Florida chapter annual gala. The annual Fall Governing Body meeting in Huntsville, AL was highly successful where key decisions were made for the betterment of the organization. “These interactions have strengthened our network and fostered a sense of community,” Dr. Kathula said.

He was a guest of honor for Kakatiya Research Initiative for Transformative Innovations (KRITI), organized by NRI alumni of Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal. He participated as the guest of honor for Indian Medical Association of Telangana State. He had an opportunity to meet president elect of National IMA, Dr. Dilip Bhanushali and assured support and discussed about common goals and challenges and opportunities to collaborate.

The historic Global healthcare Summit in New Delhi, with very minimum days to prepare and organize turned out to be highly successful. “This year we gather under the important and timely theme of preventing cancer and heart attacks through lifestyle modifications and technology in a world where chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illnesses continue to pose significant health threats, where corrective mission has never been more urgent,” said Dr. Kathula. GHS events received extensive coverage in media outlets across India and by leading publications in the US. This event was instrumental in highlighting AAPI’s commitment to public health and community engagement.

In order to materialize the themes and plans of AAPI, it’s vital to have local Government participation and collaboration. Towards this end., Dr. Kathula along with AAPI delegation represented met with Hon. Indian Minister of Health Mr. J.P. Nadda and Minister of Coal, Mr. Kishan Reddy, with their discussions focusing on collaborative initiatives that could benefit both the healthcare sector and the community at large in India.

In addition, Dr. Kathula engaged with the Hon. Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Revanth Reddy, and key advisors, including Mr. Vem Narendar Reddy and Chief SecretaryMr. Jayesh Ranjan. During these meetings, “We discussed AAPI’s initiatives aimed at preventing cancer and heart disease, emphasizing our commitment to public health.”

Education is a primary role of AAPI, Dr. Kathula led several continuing medical education webinars designed to provide valuable resources and knowledge to AAPI members. These sessions have been well-received and have facilitated ongoing professional development.

In collaboration with the American Heart Association, under his leadership, AAPI initiated CPR training programs to equip AAPI members and the community with essential lifesaving skills. This partnership underscores AAPI’s commitment to health education and awareness.

Dr. Kathula received Dr. Daniel Blumenthal Award on behalf of AAPI in Washington, DC. This recognition reflects our hard work and dedication to excellence in our field. The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) presented the fourth annual Dr. Daniel S. Blumenthal Award to AAPI in recognition of its efforts to promote health equity.

Kathula 02In collaboration with AAPI leadership., Dr. Kathula has been credited with successfully “conducting a fair election for the Vice President of AAPI, ensuring transparency and integrity in our electoral processes. This is crucial for maintaining trust within our organization,: said Dr. Kathula.

Financial Oversight and transparency have been a focus of Dr. Kathula’s Presidency. “I appointed committees to audit pending accounts, ensuring financial accountability and transparency. This step is vital for building a strong financial foundation for our future initiatives.” A fundraising event for AAPI will be held in Dayton, OH on November 17th in association with MVAPI.

Dr. Kathula has been credired to have been working diligently to resolve several ongoing lawsuits, focusing on protecting AAPI’s interests while striving for equitable solutions. This effort is essential for the stability and reputation of our organization.

A new initiative under Dr. Kathula is the launching of the “Million Miles to Honor Veterans” initiative, aimed at promoting awareness and support for our veterans. This campaign encourages participation in physical activities while honoring the sacrifices of those who have served.

Another major focus under his Presidency is the his efforts to initiate a bone marrow and stem cell donation project to facilitate and encourage donations within our community. This program is vital for increasing awareness and addressing the critical need for donors, potentially saving lives.

Moving forward, Dr. Kathula says, he remains “committed to making a lasting impact and believe in the immense potential of AAPI. Together, we can strengthen our organization and continue to serve our communities effectively. Let’s keep working collaboratively for our shared vision, as AAPI is truly greater than any individual. Thank you for your continued support and dedication.”

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies and programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa,org

Dr. Navin C Nanda Honored as the “Father of Echocardiography” at the American Association of Cardiologists of Indian Origin’s Annual Gala

Internationally renowned Cardiologist Dr.Navin C Nanda was honored with the Prestigious Honor of “Father of Echocardiography” during the annual Gala organized by American Association of Cardiologists of Indian Origin (AACIO) and the International Society of Cardiovascular Ultrasound ( ISCU)at the Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Chicago, IL on November 17, 2024,

AACIO is a reputable US Medical Organization representing thousands of Cardiologists of Indian Origin in the United States. The organization’s Gala coincides annually with the American Heart Association’s Annual Scientific Sessions. The well-organized 2024 meeting of the AACIO was attended by over a hundred Cardiologists and other Physician specialists from various parts of the USA and India.

Dr. Rakesh K Sharma, President of the AACIO welcomed the attendees and highlighted the organization’s numerous initiatives. The Founder president of AACIO, Dr. Navin C Nanda, introduced the distinguished attendees from the United States and India.

The guest speaker from India, Prof. Raman Puri (Lipid Association of India) spoke about increasing the Cardiovascular risk of Asian Indians by adopting Western LDL-C targets for the Indian diaspora. This was followed by a brief follow-up address by Dr. Vinod Jain from India. AACIO leadership presented three Young Investigator Awards in Cardiology, in addition to recognizing the dignitaries.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Highest Honor for 2024 conferred to an iconic Physician of International fame for the significant global contributions in any field, to Dr. Navin C Nanda, being recognized as the  “Father of Echocardiography.”

Dr. Navin C. Nanda, MD, DSc (Med) (Honoris Causa), DSc (Hon), FACC, FAHA, FISCU(D), is a Senior Scientist and Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. He pioneered the development of echocardiography. Dr. Nanda was the “First” to discover the pulmonary valve by echocardiography, diagnose a bicuspid aortic valve, invent treadmill exercise echocardiography, introduce color Doppler in the USA, invent the techniques of transpharyngeal and transgastric ultrasound, and use echocardiography in cardiac pacing and electrophysiology.

These techniques have revolutionized the way cardiology is being practiced around the world today. For the first time ever, Dr. Nanda’s group clinically introduced real-time three-dimensional echocardiography, which is now extensively used for cardiac interventional procedures.

The Award ceremony was facilitated by Dr.Vemuri S Murthy, a well-known  Indo-US Resuscitation Expert and Liaison of AACIO-AHA, and Chairman of the Chicago Medical Society Board of Trustees, Dr. Radhika Chimata, current President of the Indian American Medical Association, Illinois, and distinguished Cardiologists such as  Dr.Gopal Lalmalani, the three-time Mayor of the Village of Oak Brook, Illinois, Dr.Samir Shah, a past President of the IAMA, IL and Dr.Hanumanth Reddy, a past President of the AACIO, among others.

The delicious dinner with Indian cuisine was followed by entertainment and Bollywood songs by Dr. Radhika Chimata and her group.

Simple Everyday Activities Could Sharpen Your Brain and Restore Cognitive Function

Time spares no one, as cognitive decline is a natural part of aging. However, new research offers hope by suggesting that a simple daily habit can rejuvenate brainpower, potentially making your mind function as if it were several years younger. This intriguing finding comes from a study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine by researchers at the Penn State College of Medicine.

Their study focuses on the benefits of “everyday movement”—ordinary physical activities that do not necessarily involve intense workouts. Actions like walking a dog, performing household chores, or light physical engagement seem to contribute to better cognitive function. According to the researchers, this everyday movement leads to an “improvement in cognitive processing speed equivalent to being four years younger.”

“You don’t have to go to the gym to experience all the potential benefits of physical activity,” said Jonathan Hakun, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of neurology and psychology at Penn State College of Medicine. “All movement is important. Everyday movement counts as a source of accumulated physical activity that could be credited toward a healthy lifestyle and may have some direct impact on cognitive health.”

The Study’s Focus

This research stands out because, while previous studies have demonstrated that exercise benefits long-term brain health, this one emphasizes immediate cognitive benefits. Regular exercise has been linked to reducing mortality risk by as much as 27%, but the Penn State study sheds light on short-term effects.

Imagine walking your dog in the morning and experiencing faster cognitive processing later that day. As Hakun explained, “The idea here is that we can momentarily counteract [cognitive decline] through movement. It’s compelling. There’s the potential for a brief walk or a little extra movement to give you a boost.”

To test this idea, the researchers observed 204 middle-aged individuals, aged 40 to 65, all residing in the Bronx, New York. Over nine days, participants reported their physical activity six times daily and completed two brain games. These games measured working memory and cognitive processing speed. The findings were clear: after reporting any physical activity, participants exhibited noticeable improvements in cognitive processing speed.

Practical Takeaways

The implications of this study are especially relevant for those balancing busy schedules. Even simple adjustments to your daily routine, such as incorporating more physical movement, can yield cognitive benefits. Business leaders, for example, might consider walk-and-talk meetings or walking to a colleague’s desk instead of relying on video calls.

Hakun’s findings are not a replacement for traditional, vigorous exercise. Instead, they highlight how adding pleasant and straightforward activities to daily life can make a difference. As he put it, “We get slower as we age, both physically and cognitively.” However, even modest physical activity offers the potential for a noticeable boost in mental sharpness.

This study encourages us to appreciate the cumulative impact of small efforts, proving that even ordinary actions like walking the dog or tidying the house can contribute to a sharper mind.

AAPI Members Elect New Leadership For 2024-25 And Beyond

“Congratulations and best wishes to the new team of AAPI leadership, who have been elected to lead AAPI in the coming years,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI announced here today. “We thank the election officers led by Dr. V. Ranga, and all the members of AAPI for participating in the democratic election process and exercising their role as the electoral college members.”

While thanking the tens of thousands of Indian American physicians, who are active members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), and the large number of voters who participated in the election process, Dr. Kathula said, “We have successfully concluded our Special Election for the year 2024-25 for AAPI leadership position and I am happy to declare that Dr. Meher Medavaram has been elected as the Vice President of AAPI for the year 2024.25. We want to thank AAPI members who participated in the AAPI’s electronic voting process and have elected a new, diverse, balanced, and experienced team to lead AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States in the coming year and beyond.”

Dr. KathulaAlong with Dr. Kathula, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty serves as the President-Elect of AAPI, Dr. Meher Medavaram, Vice President, Dr. Raj Bhayani, Secretary, and Shirish Patel, Treasurer of AAPI for the year 2024-25. Dr. Sunil Kaza is the Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees. Representing the young physicians of Indian origin, Dr. Shefali Kothary serves as the YPS President and Dr. Oriya Uppal is the MSRF President for the year 2024-25.

Dr. Kathula did not have to contest the election this year, as he has been serving as the President-Elect during the past year. Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, who has been serving as the Vice President in the past year also did not have to face elections, as he automatically becomes the President-Elect of AAPI for the coming year. “I’m very honored and consider myself fortunate to be bestowed with the responsibility of leading the four-decades-old strong organization with the cooperation and collaboration of an excellent team of dedicated, hardworking, and loyal officers and executive committee members who are with me to take AAPI to newer heights,” Kathula added.

In his message, Dr Sunil Kaza, an eminent cardiologist who has served in many leadership roles in AAPI and outside AAPI said, “I am honored and humbled to be elected as the Chair of Board of Trustees (BOT). As a dedicated member of this organization, I am passionate about our mission and committed towards executing in collective outcome. I will lead with the ethos of maintaining Transparency, Integrity, Honesty and commitment to the organization.

As the Chair, “I promise to: Enhance our organization’s impact and reputation by Working in tandem and Synchrony with EC; Maintain fiduciary responsibility; Openly listen to your perspectives; Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusivity and governance; and, Work with various Alumni groups for any conflict resolution. Let us collectively strive for excellence, collaboration to achieve higher objectives and shape brighter future for our esteemed organization,” Dr. Kaza said.

A Patron Member of AAPI for 25 years, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty has been an active AAPI Governing Body Member for over a decade. He has served AAPI in several capacities.  He has served with distinction as an AAPI Regional Director from 2004 to 2006. There is hardly any Committee of AAPI that he was not part of in the past two decades. He was the Chair of AAPI Ethics and Grievances Committee in 2011-2012, and had served as the Chair of AAPI Journal Resource Committee in 2012-2013. He has served as a Member of AAPI IT committee, Journal Committee, Website Committee, Bylaws Committee, Alumni Committee, Ethics and Grievances Committee, and AAPI Charitable Foundation.

While congratulating the newly elected leaders to the Executive Committee, Dr. Chakrabarty, the President-Elect in 2024-25 said here in a statement: “I want to congratulate all the winners of the election. I want to especially thank all the candidates for their passion and dedication to serving AAPI and regardless of the outcome, we need you as a valuable team member of our beloved AAPI.”

Dr. Medavaram is a Board Certified in Family Medicine and is a Fellow of Academy of American Physicians. A graduate of Osmania Medical College, she is serving as the Assistant Director at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Medavaram is the Medical Director of Mount Sinai Hospital, FAQH Center, and a Staff Physician Advocate at Good Samaritan  Hospital as well as a Clinical Preceptor at UIC College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine CMU School of Medicine and is the President of Naperbrook Medical Center.

In her role as the President-Elect of AAPI, Dr. Medavaram wants to “unify and revitalize the AAPI, ensuring and advocating for physician rights and interests.” While recognizing the mission of AAPI, she wants to work towards making AAPI a purely professional organization, while forming a bridge between AAPI Senior Leadership and Young Physicians.” Committed to AAPI and dedicated to its continued progress, Dr. Medavaram wants to work towards “strengthening AAPI financially by securing a robust endowment fund and supporting and upholding AAPI’s vision of promoting professional solidarity in the pursuit of excellence in patient care, teaching and research.”

At AAPI, Dr. Medavaram has served in many capacities. She was the Chair of Women’s Forum GHS AAPI- 2022 and had served as the Convention Chair of the 38th AAPI Convention of Chicago 2019-2020. Being an active member of AAPI for several years, Dr. Medavaram has served as the Regional Director AAPI, Region 5 (IL, WI, IN) 2020-2022 and was elected President of the Indian Medical Association of Chicago 2020-2021. She served as a Board of Trustee member of OGKTMA from 2018 and was the National ATA from 2016 onwards.

Dr. Raj Bhayani, who was elected uncontested as Secretary of AAPI said, “It is with great joy and gratitude that I stand before you today as the newly elected Secretary of AAPI for the year 2024-2025. I am deeply honored to serve this esteemed organization in such a significant role. I am committed to building upon past achievements and leading AAPI with integrity, transparency, and innovation. I will focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare, advocating for the needs of our members, and fostering collaboration. Let us continue to work hand in hand to make a positive impact on healthcare and uphold the values of AAPI.”

Dr. Shirish Patel, the Treasurer of AAPI said, “I am thrilled and deeply humbled to have been elected as AAPI Treasurer for 2023-24. It is an honor to have your trust and confidence in me to help manage the finances of this fantastic organization. I promise to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity in managing our finances. I will work to ensure that our resources are used effectively to further our mission of promoting excellence in patient care, research, and education. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our organization.”

Dr. Lokesh Edara, the outgoing BOT Chair thanked the Election Committee for their meticulous planning and organizing the elections with integrity and fairness. He said, “I congratulate the winners and the new leadership who are entrusted with the responsibility of leading AAPI in the year 2024-25 and beyond. I wish them the very best and my wholehearted support.”

The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, our adopted land, the US, and in a very significant way to the transformation of Indo-US relations.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies and programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa,org

Nature’s Healing Touch: Exploring the Clinical Potential of Forest Bathing

The practice of forest bathing, rooted in mindfulness and meditation, involves immersing oneself in nature, often by walking through woodlands. Numerous studies highlight the health benefits of this experience, which can calm the mind and rejuvenate the body. This raises an intriguing question: could nature immersion become a formal therapeutic tool, prescribed by medical professionals to treat various health conditions?

Kathy Willis, a biodiversity professor at the University of Oxford, delves into this idea in her book Good Nature. Drawing on extensive evidence, she discusses not only the health benefits of nature but also presents quantitative data suggesting that doctors could incorporate nature into their treatment plans. Through her exploration of the sensory interactions between humans and the natural world, Willis uncovers the calming effects of touching wood, the enduring benefits of walking in pine forests, and the reasons why urban noise is particularly grating.

In a recent interview with Live Science, Willis shared her motivation for studying the health impacts of nature, the physiological responses triggered by natural landscapes, and how incorporating plants into our homes can enhance well-being.

The Spark Behind the Research

Reflecting on her journey, Willis said her interest was sparked during a large intergovernmental project on ecosystem services. “I kept coming across this paper that really piqued my interest,” she recalled. It revealed that gallbladder surgery patients who could view trees from their hospital windows required fewer pain medications and recovered faster than those whose windows faced brick walls.

“The fascinating part was that it wasn’t about air quality or pollution,” she explained. “There was a direct relationship between what patients saw and their recovery rates. Something within their sense of sight was accelerating healing.” This observation led Willis to question the mechanisms behind such phenomena, marking the beginning of her research journey.

More Than Just a Feeling

The physical and mental effects of nature extend beyond simple enjoyment. Willis explored how various senses—sight, smell, hearing, and touch—interact with nature to produce tangible physiological changes. “It’s an automatic response,” she said. For instance, nature can lower adrenaline levels, improve heart rate variability, and even stabilize hormonal imbalances.

To persuade medical professionals of nature’s potential, Willis emphasized the need for measurable evidence. “You can’t just say you feel generally better,” she said. “You need quantitative data showing exactly what’s happening in the body.”

Green Spaces and Human Physiology

One striking revelation is how the color green impacts the body. “When you look at green, particularly green and white leaves, three pathways are activated,” Willis explained. The autonomic nervous system is affected, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. The endocrine system responds with changes such as reduced stress-indicating salivary amylase levels. Lastly, psychological markers reveal decreased anxiety and increased calmness.

This phenomenon may be evolutionary. Willis pointed to studies showing that people prefer mid-complexity fractal patterns, such as open landscapes dotted with trees, over angular urban horizons. “When shown images of different landscapes, people consistently choose open savanna-like vistas,” she said. Interestingly, even children from tropical rainforest regions who had never left their environment favored savanna landscapes in such studies.

Smells That Heal

The chapter on smell surprised Willis the most. She discovered that inhaling plant-derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has significant physiological effects. “When you breathe in a plant scent, those molecules cross your lung membranes and enter your bloodstream,” she explained.

Walking in a pine forest, for instance, increases blood levels of pinene, a compound that interacts with biochemical pathways similarly to certain prescription drugs. “There’s compelling evidence that breathing in VOCs from trees like cedar reduces adrenaline and elevates natural killer cells, which help fight cancers and viruses,” Willis noted.

A groundbreaking study published in Oncotarget highlighted this effect. People living near Cupressaceae forests were found to be healthier, with lower instances of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, participants who walked in such forests for five hours experienced elevated natural killer cells, an effect that persisted for seven days.

Artificial Plants: No Substitute for the Real Thing

Studies comparing artificial and real plants reveal that the benefits of nature cannot be replicated synthetically. Japanese schoolchildren exposed to real pansies for 10 minutes experienced lowered blood pressure and feelings of calm. However, polyester-based artificial plants provided no such benefits. “It’s not just about sight,” Willis clarified. “The subconscious impact of smell plays a huge role.”

Gut Health and Biodiversity

The influence of nature extends to the gut microbiome. Biodiverse environments can positively alter the gut and skin microbiomes, leading to reduced inflammatory markers in the blood. Willis cited a Finnish study involving nursery children who played in three types of playgrounds: concrete, artificial matting, and Boreal forest soil.

“After 28 days, children exposed to forest soil had a completely new gut microbiome and significantly reduced inflammatory markers,” she said. Similar benefits were observed in adults working in offices with green walls, showing that biodiversity in one’s environment directly affects bodily systems.

Bringing Nature Indoors

For those unable to venture outdoors, Willis offered practical advice on incorporating nature into daily life. Victorian-era homes, often filled with plants, serve as an inspiration. “Having live plants in your sitting room or study can make a difference,” she said. Even something as simple as placing a vase of roses on a desk has measurable effects.

“Studies show that even non-scented roses—white or yellow—can lower blood pressure,” she added. “Why not have a vase of roses on your desk? It’s a small step we can all take without waiting for a prescription.”

Nature as Medicine

Willis’s research underscores the profound impact of natural environments on human health. From lowering stress hormones to boosting immune cells, the evidence suggests that nature’s healing powers are rooted in complex physiological processes. By acknowledging and harnessing these benefits, we could transform healthcare, integrating nature-based therapies into traditional medical practices.

Her findings remind us of the importance of reconnecting with the natural world. Whether through a walk in the forest, a vase of flowers, or a well-placed houseplant, the path to well-being might be closer than we think. As Willis puts it, “Wherever we are, we should all really be heading towards the bushy edges.”

Trump Nominates RFK Jr. to Lead HHS, Sparking Controversy

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken critic of vaccines and a prominent environmental lawyer, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The decision has elicited polarized reactions, with supporters praising Kennedy’s reformist stance and critics warning of potential harm to public health.

HHS oversees federal health programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, and manages responses to public health crises such as COVID-19 and bird flu. With a budget nearing $2 trillion, the department also approves drugs, including vaccines, and supervises 13 distinct agencies. Kennedy has long contended that these agencies are in urgent need of transformation.

“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Trump wrote on social media Thursday. He accused the “industrial food complex and drug companies” of spreading misinformation and pledged that Kennedy would restore integrity to HHS. Trump added that Kennedy would emphasize “Gold Standard Scientific Research” and work to “Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

Kennedy’s nomination, first reported by Politico, must gain Senate approval—a potentially arduous process despite the Republican majority. Trump has hinted at circumventing confirmation hurdles through recess appointments if necessary. His choice of Kennedy signals confidence in the Senate’s Republican support.

Kennedy, a vocal skeptic of pharmaceutical companies and federal health agencies, is set to oversee the same entities he has heavily criticized. His agenda, branded as “Make America Healthy Again,” focuses on transparency and combating chronic diseases. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who will chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, expressed cautious optimism about Kennedy’s policies. “RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure,” Cassidy said. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.”

However, the nomination has alarmed Democrats and public health leaders. They argue Kennedy’s leadership could undermine critical agencies, increase vaccine hesitancy, and redirect resources to his personal priorities. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) criticized Kennedy’s views, describing them as “outlandish.” Wyden stated, “Mr. Kennedy’s outlandish views on basic scientific facts are disturbing and should worry all parents who expect schools and other public spaces to be safe for their children.”

Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed Wyden’s concerns. “Confirming RFK Jr. would be nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families,” she said, urging her Republican colleagues to oppose the nomination. Murray described Kennedy as a “fringe conspiracy theorist” and warned his appointment could jeopardize progress in public health, reproductive rights, and scientific research.

Kennedy is no stranger to controversy. He founded one of the nation’s most prominent anti-vaccine groups and has perpetuated the debunked claim linking childhood vaccines to autism. While he recently stated he does not intend to revoke any approved vaccines, he argues that federal health agencies have failed to adequately research their safety.

The nomination serves as a reward for Kennedy’s political loyalty. After initially running as a Democrat in the presidential race, he transitioned to an independent campaign before ultimately endorsing Trump. His endorsement and subsequent campaigning for Trump highlighted his criticisms of federal health regulators, whom he labeled “sock puppets” controlled by corporate interests. Kennedy has vowed to overhaul agencies like the FDA, accusing them of systemic corruption.

In October, Kennedy took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that the FDA’s “war on public health is about to end.” He added, “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.”

Kennedy’s controversial positions extend beyond vaccines. He has proposed removing fluoride from the nation’s water supply, a practice widely credited with improving dental health. Public health officials view such proposals as regressive and potentially harmful.

Trump has expressed strong support for Kennedy’s reformist ambitions. In a post-election speech at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “He’s going to help make America healthy again. … He wants to do some things, and we’re going to let him get to it.” Trump’s transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick suggested Kennedy might revoke liability protections for vaccine manufacturers and reduce the number of recommended vaccines. Lutnick hinted that vaccine safety data could reveal significant risks if Kennedy gained access to it.

Despite these endorsements, Kennedy’s appointment remains divisive. Critics, including public health leaders and Democratic lawmakers, warn of far-reaching consequences for health policy and scientific credibility. Wyden emphasized the stakes during Kennedy’s forthcoming confirmation hearing: “It’s going to be very clear what Americans stand to lose under Trump and Republicans in Congress.”

Medicare Payment Reform Act Seeks to Stabilize Physician Practices

After years of repeated cuts to physician payments under Medicare, the system has reached a critical point, with a 2.8% reduction set to take effect on January 1. Many believe this highlights the system’s deep flaws. Thankfully, Congress appears to be addressing this challenge, recognizing the potential threat these cuts pose to the viability of physician practices and patient care.

On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024, which aims to support struggling physician practices and improve patient access. Leading the effort are California Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-6), and Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA-25), joined by their Republican colleagues Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), and John Joyce (R-PA).

The California Medical Association (CMA) has expressed strong support for the bill, which seeks to halt the scheduled 2.8% Medicare payment cut in 2025. Additionally, it proposes a partial inflation update equivalent to 50% of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for one year in 2025 to offset rising practice costs. If passed, this would lead to a total 4.73% increase in Medicare physician payments for the year.

Urgent Need for Legislative Action

Time is running out for Congress to act on this critical issue. With the legislative calendar winding down and a “lame-duck” session anticipated after the upcoming elections, passing HR 10073 must become a priority. Advocacy groups like CMA are urging physicians and patients to contact their representatives and push for immediate support of the bill.

“This is our last chance to ensure HR 10073 becomes part of the final year-end legislative package,” emphasized CMA representatives. They are calling on individuals to urge lawmakers to cosponsor the bill and help mitigate the impact of Medicare cuts.

Grassroots physician advocacy has already demonstrated its power. Recently, 233 bipartisan members of Congress signed a letter to House leadership, urging an end to Medicare payment cuts and requesting an inflation update before the year’s close. CMA is now asking for renewed efforts to ensure those same lawmakers back HR 10073 as cosponsors.

“Physician action makes a difference,” CMA emphasized, encouraging all healthcare professionals to rally behind the bill.

Building Toward Long-Term Reform

Although HR 10073 addresses Medicare physician payments for just 2025, it represents a critical first step in the broader effort to reform the system. The legislation provides temporary relief while opening the door for discussions about more comprehensive payment reforms in future sessions of Congress.

“This is an essential first step toward achieving our ultimate goal: long-term physician Medicare payment reform,” CMA leaders stated.

Lawmakers and medical associations are united in their assessment that the current system is unsustainable. “Everyone agrees the Medicare physician payment system is broken, and it’s time for Congress to do something about it,” advocates declared.

Take Action Now

To ensure the success of HR 10073, CMA and other advocacy groups are calling on physicians and patients to act swiftly. Contacting representatives, encouraging them to cosponsor the legislation, and raising public awareness are vital steps in securing its passage.

If successful, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act will provide temporary stability for physician practices, ensuring better access to care for patients while paving the way for long-overdue reforms to the Medicare payment system.

Evaluating Moringa’s Nutritional Power: Does It Really Offer Nine Times the Protein of Yogurt?

One of the first intriguing facts one encounters online about moringa is its alleged protein content—said to be nine times that of yogurt. This claim has likely piqued the curiosity of many, raising questions about its accuracy. Moringa is often touted as a superfood, packed with an impressive range of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But how much of this hype is backed by scientific evidence?

Moringa, also known as the drumstick plant, is indeed rich in nutrients. It contains an array of vitamins such as A, C, E, K, and a selection of B vitamins, along with minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. “Furthermore, drumstick also have a high concentration of antioxidants, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and beta-carotene that help in neutralising free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This may help in protecting against chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes,” explained Dr. Sangeeta Tiwari, a clinical nutritionist at Artemis Lite, NFC. These antioxidants are vital for combating the harmful effects of free radicals, which can contribute to various chronic diseases.

Apart from its antioxidant properties, moringa is also recognized for its fiber content, which aids in promoting regular bowel movements and supports a healthy gut microbiome. “Furthermore, the high vitamin C content in drumstick leaves helps in boosting immunity and protects against infections,” Dr. Tiwari added. Moringa’s nutrient profile makes it a valuable addition to a balanced diet, particularly for its immune-enhancing properties.

In comparison, yogurt—especially popular varieties like Greek yogurt—is well-regarded as a protein source crucial for muscle health and overall stamina. “Curd contains probiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption,” noted Dr. Rituja Ugalmugle, a specialist in internal medicine at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. Yogurt’s probiotic properties make it an effective choice for digestive health, as it encourages a balance of good bacteria in the gut.

This raises the question of whether moringa actually contains nine times more protein than yogurt, as is widely claimed. Fauziya Ansari, a dietitian at Apollo Spectra in Mumbai, offers insight into this claim. “The claim that drumsticks contain nine times more protein than yogurt is debatable. Drumsticks are indeed nutrient-dense and a great plant-based protein source, especially for vegetarians and vegans. Yoghurt, particularly Greek yoghurt, is also rich in protein. But there is no one study to suggest that one is 9 times better than the other,” Ansari pointed out, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet. She emphasized that while both moringa and yogurt have their nutritional merits, the actual protein difference may not be as drastic as popularly believed.

For those aiming to increase their protein intake, incorporating a diverse range of nutrient-dense foods can be more effective than focusing on one particular item. “Options such as legumes, quinoa, nuts, seeds, paneer, lentils, whole grains, and oats are excellent sources of protein. Each offers unique health benefits along with a significant protein contribution. If you’re looking to make substantial dietary changes, it’s best to consult a dietitian who can guide you on how to increase your protein intake in a healthy and balanced way,” said Ansari.

While moringa is undeniably nutritious and offers a variety of health benefits, the claim that it has nine times more protein than yogurt may be overstated.

Obesity Paradox and Lean Diabetes

Prof. Bellamkonda K. Kishore, M.D., Ph.D., MBA
Academician, Innovator & Entrepreneur

Most of you know that overweight and obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) over 25 or 30 kg/m2, respectively, are a risk factor for diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and arthritis, among others. In fact, epidemiologically, obesity is linked to the development of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Thus, obesity is considered as the Mother of All Disease(Fig 1).

Obviously, by maintaining the BMI under 25 kg/m2 (23 kg/m2 in Asians as per WHO) one can avoid developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to a large extent. NCDs account for 74% ofall deaths worldwide or 41 million deaths each year. It is projected that by the year 2030, deaths due to NCDs will reach 52 million. Cardivasccular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes contribute for over 80% of premature deaths.

Within the context of India, in 2018, 63% of all deaths (about 5 million deaths) were attributed to NCDs. Apart from healthcare costs, disability and loss of life, NCDs also affect the productivity of the people and thus negatively impact the economic growth of the nation. For instance, in 2017 India lost 226.8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). One DALY represents the loss of the equivalent of one year of full health. It is computed by the sum of years of life lost due to premature mortality (Years of Life Lost or YLLs) and the years lived with a disability (Years Lost due to Disability or YLDs) due to prevalent cases of disease or health condition in a population. Thus, NCDs not only affect individual lives of the people, but also negatively impact the economic growth of a country.

Obesity Paradox and Lean Diabetes
Fig 1: Obesity is Mother of All Diseases.
Source: Wikimedia Commons – Work of the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC), a division of the United States Federal Government (Public Domain)

Contrary to the wider belief, obesity is not a problem of the developed world. Now obesity is the problem of rapidly developing economies, such as BRICS countries as well as the developing countries. These countries are more populous than the developed world. About 2/3rds of the 600 to 800 million obese subjects in the world live in emerging economies or developing countries, where they face disproportionately more heath burden due to the lack of mature or advanced healthcare systems. Thus, obesity disproportionately cripples the people in developing countries vs. developed world. Hence, even a 10 to 20% reduction in the number of obese subjects in the world has a profound and direct impact on the overall health status of the world, in addition to saving trillions of dollars in healthcare costs.

Thus,it sounds reasonable from the epidemiological point of view to decrease the new cases of NCDs. However, in recent years a paradoxical phenomenon was reported by several researchers, which was namedObesity Paradox. While obesity has the potential for the development of NCDs, once a subject develops NCDs, being obese as measured by BMI appears to be beneficial as it protects against mortality due to the NCDs. Obesity paradox refers to the clinical observation that when acute cardiovascular decompensation occurs, obese patients may have a survival benefit. It was first observed by Dr. Kalantar-Zadeh in patients suffering with advanced chronic kidney disease (Fig 2). Subsequently, obesity paradox has been reported in patients with heart failure, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis, and in older residents in nursing homes. It should be noted that obesity paradox does not contradict the epidemiological data that obesity predisposes people to the development of NCDs. However, once obese people develop NCDs, somehow they are protected against death as compared to the non-obese people with NCDs.

Obesity Paradox and Lean Diabetes
Fig 2: Reverse association of BMI and survival in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) as compared to the general population. Reproduced from Kalantar-Zadeh et al, Kidney International Reports 2017, under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND

The scientific community is split on obesity paradox, while some support it, others brush it aside calling it BMI paradox. However, several studies showed obesity is a complex disorder and there are metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). Furthermore, it has been shown that it is the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or lack of it that determines mortality, but not just obesity itself. That means being fit is more important than shedding weight.These intriguing findings are shedding new light on the complex subject of obesity.

While obesity paradox is a complex subject to understand with our current knowledge, another interesting phenomenon is emerging. It is called Lean Diabetes or diabetes mellitus in lean or non-obese subjects (BMI < 25 kg.m2). It was originally observed in men of Asian or African ancestry with a history of nutritional insults in the childhood. But now it is prevalent in these communities, including Asian Americans or African Americans. Asians, especially, Indians have relatively less lean body mass vs. fat giving a spurious appearance of normal BMI, as compared to Caucasians. Lean diabetes is the rapidly rising form of diabetes in the United States as compared to diabetes in obese subjects (17.8% vs. 2.1% increase in prevalence between 2015 and 2020, respectively). This is mostly due to increased prevalence of lean diabetes among women and colored people. What is alarming is, clinically and pathophysiologically, lean diabetes is more severe in nature and is often intractable to treatment by conventional methods. Lean diabetes also carries much severe complications and mortality as compared to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lean diabetes appears to be a hybrid of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM & T2DM). It seems cardiometabolic risk leading to conditions like lean diabetes, is programmed during the fetal or early neonatal development of the subject, and it is influenced by maternal and/or infant nutrition, or both. Obviously, more in depth studies are needed to address this potential possibility. Such findings will hold the key for prevention of the development of lean diabetes.

One logical question that arises, is there a link between obesity paradox and lean diabetes? While more in-depth studies are needed to address that question, the Invited Review article by this author titled Reverse Epidemiology of Obesity Paradox: Fact of Fiction? Published recently in the Physiological Reports, a joint publication of the Physiological Society of United Kingdom and the American Physiological Society, sheds new light on this subject. It appears that this is the first review article that dealt with both Obesity Paradox and Lean Diabetes on one platform offering potential links between these two. Here is the graphical abstract of that review article with details to access the invited review in the open access journal, Physiological Review.

Obesity Paradox and Lean Diabetes

Graphic Abstract:Obesity paradox is a clinical observation that when acute cardiovascular decompensation occurs, patients with obesity may have survival benefits. Development of insulin resistance, decrease in insulin secretion, and body fat distribution in obesity varies considerably based on ethnicity and dietary habits of people. Maternal factors may program fetal cardiovascular risk, which often leads to development lean diabetes, which has higher prevalence of complications and mortality than in obese diabetics. Cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) has emerged as an independent risk factor for death, irrespective of the obesity status of the subject. CRF may also influence mortality in obesity paradox.

The article by BK. Kishore can be accessed athttps://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.14814/phy2.70107

About the Author: Prof. Bellamkonda K. Kishore is an academician and innovator, who recently turned to entrepreneurship. He did innovative research on kidney diseases, obesity and metabolic syndrome and related systems. Currently he is an Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City, Utah while being the Co-Founder, CEO & CSO of ePurines, Inc., a therapeutic drug development startup launched by him and his academic colleagues in the University of Utah Research Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. Website:www.bkkishore.online

AAPI Advocates for Screening and Cessation of Smoking to Prevent Lung Cancer

“November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a critical time to highlight the impact of lung cancer, which is diagnosed in 2.5 million people globally each year and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for 1.8 million fatalities annually,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula,a Hematologist and Oncologist by profession and the current President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). “The good news is that lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers,” DR. Kathula added.

Smoking is well known to be the main cause of lung cancer, which is the number one cause of cancer related death worldwide. Dr. Kathula said, “Smoking is by far the largest risk factor accounting for more than 80% of lung cancers, but other risks include exposure to pollution, radon, asbestos, and infections like TB, HIV, or autoimmune disorders.”

“Quitting smoking is the most important preventive measure,” Dr. Kathula said and added, “Avoid exposure to pollution, radon, and asbestos.”satheesh kathula ghs

Stressing the importance of Screening, Dr. kathula said, “Those with a history of 20 pack-years of smoking should have an annual low-dose CT scan of the chest, unless they’ve quit smoking for more than 15 years.”

Lung cancer screening is a critical tool in detecting the disease early, which is when it is most treatable. If lung cancer is caught before it spreads to other parts of the body, the chance of surviving five years or more increases to 64%. Individuals aged 50 to 80, who currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years may be eligible for screening. People can see if they are eligible for lung cancer screening by taking a two-minute quiz at SavedByTheScan.org.

Dr. Kathula lamented that despite the high risk, only 5% of eligible individuals get screened for lung cancer, compared to 90% of women who get mammograms for breast cancer. “It is essential to encourage smokers to get screened, as early detection significantly improves survival rates,” her added.

Biomarker testing has transformed how lung cancer is treated. By identifying the DNA and protein makeup of tumors, physicians can match patients with targeted therapies that can slow or even shrink tumors. Testing for the PD-L1 protein, in particular, helps determine whether immunotherapy may be an effective treatment option.

Founded in 1982, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin represents a conglomeration of more than 80,000 practicing physicians in the United States.AAPI is a forum to facilitate and enable Indian American Physicians to excel in patient care, teaching and research and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs.For information on AAPI and its noble initiatives, please visit: www.appiusa.org

Five Minutes of Daily Exercise May Lower Blood Pressure, Study Finds

New research led by experts from the University of Sydney and University College London has found that even a brief amount of physical activity—just five minutes per day—could significantly reduce blood pressure. Published on Thursday, the study indicates that adding daily activities like walking uphill or climbing stairs may play an impactful role in blood pressure management.

The study, conducted by the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep (ProPASS) Consortium, examined how short bursts of movement can improve cardiovascular health. It suggests that swapping sedentary habits for only 20 to 27 minutes of exercise each day has a clinically relevant effect on blood pressure. According to Emmanuel Stamatakis, director of the ProPASS Consortium and joint senior author from the University of Sydney, “High blood pressure is one of the biggest health issues globally, but unlike some major causes of cardiovascular mortality, there may be relatively accessible ways to tackle the problem in addition to medication.”

Through an analysis of 14,761 volunteer data, the researchers found that minor daily changes, such as reducing time spent sitting, may yield substantial health benefits. The team projected that replacing prolonged inactivity with about 20 minutes of exercise each day could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 28 percent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 1.28 billion people worldwide aged 30 to 79 suffer from hypertension, defined as consistently high blood pressure, and nearly 46 percent of those affected are unaware of their condition.

From Pollution to Prevention: Combating Lung Cancer in India By Soumya Reddy Neravetla, MD, FACS, Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery

Lung cancer is a silent epidemic in Southeast Asia, claiming 166,260 lives annually and making it the leading cause of cancer mortality in the region, like most of the world. In India alone, there are 72,510 new cases and 66,279 deaths each year, highlighting a growing public health crisis. Unlike in the United States, where lung cancer rates are gradually declining, India has seen a troubling increase in incidence—from 6.62 per 100,000 in 1990 to 7.7 per 100,000 in 2019. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to combat this disease.

Lung cancer presents approximately a decade earlier in India as compared to Western countries, with a mean age at diagnosis of 54–70 years. This earlier onset could be attributed to the overall younger population (median age 28.2) and unique risk factors like air pollution.  Several studies have reported between 40 and 50% cases in India are non-smokers.In addition to air pollution, occupational exposure to chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and coal products increase risk. Biomass fuel usage is a common risk in rural areas.

Dr Soumya Reddy Neravetla

Tobacco, however, remains the primary culprit.  India is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. Among adults, 42% of men and 14.2% women currently either smoke or use smokeless tobacco; khaini and bidi are the most used smokeless and smoked products, respectively. The mean age of starting daily tobacco use is just 18.7 years, and three out of ten adults working indoors have been exposed to second handsmoke.

Additionally, hookah use, prevalent in the Kashmir region,has also been associated with increased rates of lung cancer.While tobacco use has decreased significantly from 47% in 2000 to 29% in 2018, it remains the highest globally.  India has been consistently moving forward with tobacco cessation efforts, included the recent launch of a nationwide “Tobacco Quit Line”.

There is limited data about lung cancer screening in India and Southeast Asia. While data shows that low-dose computed tomography can effectively identify potentially malignant lung nodules, the high false-positive rate—due to a significant incidence of granulomatous diseases like TB and histoplasmosis—complicates implementation in India. Further studies are essential to better understand how to effectively utilize screening in this context.

Unfortunately, this high rate of granulomatous disease also leads to significant delays in diagnosis with many cancer patients being initially treated for TB.  Thus, most cases are diagnosedin advanced stages.  In addition, even among early stage patients, a significant proportion do not undergo curative resection or treatment, further exacerbating mortality rates.

Addressing lung cancer in India requires a multifaceted approach, particularly in developing effective screening strategies. While it may take time and resources to develop implement these initiatives, the importance of prevention cannot be overstated.

Given that tobacco use remains the most cause of lung cancer, ongoing efforts to reduce consumption are crucial. In addition, efforts to decrease pollution and workplace exposure should be increased. By prioritizing risk factor reduction while developing early detection methods, India can significantly impact lung cancer mortality rates and ultimately save lives.

World Vegan Vision Hosts Inspiring Event on Heart Health and Veganism with Dr. Bimal Chhajer

New York, NY – World Vegan Vision recently held a successful event on October 19, 2024, at the Asa’mai Temple, spotlighting the vital connection between heart health and a plant-based lifestyle. The keynote speaker, renowned cardiologist Dr. Bimal Chhajer, captivated attendees with his insights on reversing heart disease through veganism.

The event drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to learn about the life-saving benefits of a vegan diet and how it can positively impact heart health. Dr. Chhajer shared key takeaways, including essential practices to manage and even reverse heart disease naturally. His approach emphasized cholesterol management, the elimination of oils in cooking, regular exercise, and stress reduction through yoga and meditation. The following are few critical insights from Dr. Chhajer’s presentation:

Cholesterol Management: Avoid all animal products to reduce cholesterol.

Zero-Oil Cooking: Exclude all oils to promote heart health.

Exercise: A daily 35-minute walk on an empty stomach significantly improves heart function.

Stress Management: Incorporate yoga and meditation to manage stress, a leading contributor to heart disease.

Blood Pressure Control: Maintain blood pressure at 120/80 mmHg by reducing salt intake.

Blood Sugar Monitoring: Keep fasting blood sugar under 100 mg/dL and HbA1c below 6.5%.

Triglyceride Reduction: Cut triglycerides to under 100 mg/dL (normal is <150 mg/dl) with plant-based foods and regular exercise.

Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on high-fiber, antioxidant-rich foods, eliminating high-fat dairy and nuts.

Weight Management: Achieve a BMI below 24 through a whole-food, plant-based diet.

LDL Cholesterol Control: Keep LDL levels under 70 mg/dL for heart disease reversal. (normal is <100 mg/dl)

HDL Cholesterol: Boost HDL levels with regular exercise, targeting over 40 mg/dL. (normal is >40 mg/dl)

Natural Bypass Therapy: Explore EECP non-invasive cardiac therapy covered by Medicare.

Detox Therapy: Combined with a Zero-oil vegan diet, detox therapy like fasting aids in clearing blockages.

Angina Awareness: Learn to identify angina symptoms such as chest pain and discomfort.

Reversal of Heart Disease: A vegan diet paired with lifestyle changes can reverse severe heart disease.

We would like to clarify that the information we are sharing is not intended to serve as medical advice. Rather, our goal is to provide you with valuable insights and guidance on how to maintain and improve your heart health.

World Vegan Vision is dedicated to promoting the benefits of a vegan lifestyle for both personal health and environmental sustainability. We are grateful to all who attended and look forward to hosting more events aimed at educating and inspiring the community towards heart-healthy, compassionate living.

About Dr. Bimal Chhajer:

Dr. Chhajer is a respected figure in the field of Non-Invasive Cardiology, dedicated to combating heart disease through comprehensive, scientifically-backed lifestyle changes.

About World Vegan Vision:

World Vegan Vision is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of World Vegan Vision is to increase public awareness about the 3 main aspects of Veganism – Health, Animal Rights & Environmental Conservation. The organization aims to organize activities to raise awareness about these issues.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a critical time to highlight the impact of lung cancer, which is diagnosed in 2.5 million people globally each year and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for 1.8 million fatalities annually. The good news is that lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.
Smoking is by far the largest risk factor accounting for more than 80% of lung cancers, but other risks include exposure to pollution, radon, asbestos, and infections like TB, HIV, or autoimmune disorders.
Prevention:
Quitting smoking is the most improtant important preventive measure.
Avoid exposure to pollution, radon, and asbestos
Screening:
Those with a history of 20 pack-years of smoking should have an annual low-dose CT scan of the chest, unless they’ve quit smoking for more than 15 years.
Despite the high risk, only 5% of eligible individuals get screened for lung cancer, compared to 90% of women who get mammograms for breast cancer. It is essential to encourage smokers to get screened, as early detection significantly improves survival rates.
Satheesh Kathula, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Hematologist and Oncologist

A Call to Action: Prevent Hypertension — Engage in Salt Reduction

Hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality worldwide.  In 2019, 1.72 million deaths and 40.54 million DALYs were caused by CVD due to high dietary sodium globally, representing a 41.08% and 33.06% increase since 1990.  In 2023, this estimate further increased to 1.89 million deaths associated with excess sodium consumption. Both India and the United States of America top the list of most burdened countries.

Prevent Hypertension Engage in Salt Reduction Credit JACC JounrnalsThis data is alarming considering the cause has been well known for decades and can be relatively easily addressed.  These studies do not call for complex medication regimens or treatments.  The totality of the evidence strongly supports a population-wide reduction in salt intake (AHA). Salt reduction causes a dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure: the lower the salt intake, the lower the blood pressure (AHA).

Yet, medical organizations and governments are barely engaged in salt reduction to prevent hypertension. It is reflected in WHO’s cry for help: “massive efforts needed to reduce salt intake and protect lives”. Only nine countries (Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay) have a comprehensive package ofDr Soumya Reddy Neravetla recommended policies to reduce sodium intake.  WHO again says: “Reducing sodium intake is one of the most cost-effective measures to improve health and reduce the burden of

non-communicable diseases: for every US $1 invested in scaling up sodium reduction interventions, there will be a return of at least US$12.”

In India, of the estimated 220 million people with hypertension, only 12% have their blood pressure under control. Hypertension kills more adults than any other cause and is readily preventable and treatable. The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is principally

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engaged in improving better diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

But what about prevention? It’s time to look at high blood pressure as a preventable disease. India only received a score of 2 (out of 4) from WHO due to its lack of mandatory sodium declaration policy.  WHO estimates that 7 million lives could be saved worldwide by 2030 if countries can adopt appropriate sodium reduction, however few countries are on track.  To achieve this goal WHO recommends mandatory legislation that includes maximum sodium content limit, marketing restrictions, labelling and fiscal policies.

Global health care agencies must prioritize salt reduction as the critical strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease globally.  Adding salt to food confers no known nutritional benefit, while increasing the risk of hypertension and many other deadly or disabling diseases.  It’s time to tackle the root cause.

During Meeting With Sri J.P Nadda, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, AAPI Delegation Advocates For EMT, Medical Exam Reforms, Prevention of Cardiac Issues and Cancer, and Lifestyle Changes

As part of the 18th annual Global Healthcare Summit 2024, leaders of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in  their efforts to advocate for AAPI’s mission to help India create programs that are efficient, cost effective and affordable, and helping save lives through prevention and education, met with Honorable Health Minister of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda in his office in New Delhi on October 19th 2024.

AAPI delegation was led by Sateesh Kathula, MD, President of AAPI, Sunil Kaza, MD, Chairmen Board of Trustees, AAPI, Lokesh Edara, MD, Chairmen of AAPI Global Medical Education, Amit Chakrabarty, MD, President-Elect of AAPI, and, Vasu Singh, MD, Regional Director, AAPI,

In his presentation before the Minister and his staff, Dr. Kathula pointed out that one in 28 Indian women may encounter breast cancer during their lifetime, compared to one in eight (8) women in the US.Every year in India, 127,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 80,000 of them do not survive. Breast lumps, skin or nipple changes, unusual pain, and swelling are symptoms of breast cancer. Monthly self-breast exams, annual examinations by a doctor, and mammography as advised by a doctor can save lives.Women aged 30 years and above should get a Pap smear or VIA test every three years, or an HPV DNA test every five years. These simple tests help in the early detection of cervical cancer and can save lives.

Dr. Kathula urged the Government of India to create “an awareness program endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Family for an 11-second to 20 second video message to be shown before movies, similar to the anti-tobacco messages currently displayed, focusing on breast cancer and cervical cancer awareness.” He said, Breast and cervical cancer can be treated successfully when caught early.

Dr. Edara highlighted the challenges to implementation of the NEXT examination.  “NMC has a majority theory examinations, limiting Multiple Choices questions to 20% only. This limits the ability of medicalstudents to complete effectively in global level tests due to lack of practice in taking Multiple Choices questions. The United States and most other countries have NEXT type 100% Multiple Choices questions from the first year onwards most of internals and all final examinations.

AAPI meeting Nadda

Dr. Edara suggested that NMC increases multiple choice questions from 20 % this year to 40%, next year 60%, following year 80%, finally to 100% multiple choice questions. He suggested that the Pass rate of NEXT should be same as average MBBS final examination approximately to 85 % to 90%.

The AAPI delegation stressed the need to introduce Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program across India, which will help in saving thousands of lives every day in India.

AAPI also recommended that the EMT programs are offered at medical schools that have Emergency Medicine Departments

Another recommendation by AAPI was to make Emergency Medicine Program mandated at all medical schools, which will help save lives, especially in rural India, where majority of India’s 1.4 people live.

Dr. Kaza stressed the importance of creating awareness on the need for lifestyle modifications that will help save lives by preventing diseases. “There is every need to reassess the current strategy in addressing cardiac issues and how best we can prevent cardiac diseases, especially by healthy diet, physical activities, cessation of smoking and alcohol, good sleep, and stress management.  This can help reduce cardiac issues by 80%.”

Dr. Chakrabarty said, “After having listened to the recommendations and suggestions based on scientific studies, presented by AAPI, Honorable Health Minister of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda expressed his openness to AAPI’s concerns and suggestions. He agreed to some of the suggestions, while he asked his staff to take note of AAPI’s suggestions and take appropriate actions as needed.

Dr. Nadda acknowledged that the world is staring at two most critical health challenges, cancer and cardiac diseases. Dr. Nadda said. “With aging population, changes in lifestyle and increasing urbanization, the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks, are on the rise. I’m happy to share that through the national program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke program, we are providing a framework for individuals across the country who access health education screenings and support services aimed at prevention and early detection. It is well known that lifestyle modification is the key pillar in the prevention of ailments like cancer and cardiac diseases. Foundation of prevention of these diseases lies in adopting healthier lifestyles, like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and shunning tobacco and alcohol, Dr. Nadda told the AAPI delegation.”

“We all know that AAPI has been playing a key role in the exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of medicine between India and the US today,” Dr. Nadda said. “Together, we can harness the power of innovation and lifestyle modification to safety, frequently, reduce the burden of cancer and heart diseases, not only in India but across the globe. I thank AAPI for organizing the Global Healthcare Summit in India. Wishing the summit a grand success.”

The meeting with the Minister and other officials were part of the recently concluded Global Healthcare Summit 20245 organized in New Delhi from October 19-20th, 2024.

For more information about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

CMEs At AAPI’s GHS 2024t in New Delhi Offer Insights On Prevention Strategies, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and the Integration of Technology into Healthcare

“GHS 2024 has the highest caliber of internationally acclaimed faculty and will develop a very robust agenda in collaboration with leading experts from India and the United States,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) said in his introductory remarks at the inauguration of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) at the 18th edition of the Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) held in New Delhi on October 20tjh, 2024.

“The six hours of clinical CME sessions with academicians from India and the US will offer unique opportunities for local medical staff and healthcare professionals to advance leanings and provide the best possible care for the people of India focusing on preventive medicine, lifestyle changes and the integration of modern technology into Medicine,” he added.

The scientific program and workshops of GHS were developed by leading experts with contributions by the Scientific Advisory Board and the International Scientific Committee. The workshops were led by world famous physicians on topics relevant to the needs of the time.

The sessions on Cancer Prevention Strategies: 2025 And Beyond was moderated by Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, who in his opening remarks stated that Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in India, while stressing the importance of preventive measures that will help save lives.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, MD, FACP, DipABLM Hematologist/Oncologist, Dayton, OH, USA, AAPI President eloquently presented on the Role of Lifestyle Changes in Cancer Prevention. He highlighted said, “You cannot change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle to prevent diseases.” “Stop 3; Start 3.”

An Overview of Cancer Epidemiology in India was presented by Dr. Hari Sagiraju, Assistant Professor Preventive Oncology, National Cancer Institute-AIIMS, who advocated for an India-centric approach. Technological Innovations in Cancer Detection was presented by Manmeet Ahluwalia, MD, MBA Medical Oncologist, Miami Cancer Institute, Miami, Fl, USA. Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi Senior Director, Oncology, Fortis Healthcare shared with the delegates on the Rising Incidence, Lagging Screening: Addressing the Colorectal Cancer Burden in India.

Gurguram Developing Community-Based Cancer Prevention Programs was presented by Dr. Raghunadha Rao Digumarti MNJ institute of Oncology. The importance of Cancer screening & awareness: What everyone needs to know was the topic addressed by Dr. Harit Chaturvedi Chairman of the Max Institute of Cancer Care.

The session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) focusing on Navigating Clinical AI – Power: Velocity: Impact was presented by Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi Senior Director, Oncology, Fortis Healthcare.

A Roundtable Discussion on Integrating Technology in Public Health Programs Collaborative Efforts in Cancer Prevention Public-Private Partnerships in Cancer Prevention was enlightening to the audience on ways to incorporate modern technology into medical practice.

The session on Thinking Beyond Heart Attacks: Reducing Cardiometabolic Risk was moderated by Dr. Amit Govil. Dr. J C Mohan, Chairman, Institute of Heart and Vascular Disorders, Jaipur took the audience to a wider worldview of the Prevalence of Heart Disease and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in India.

Effective Risk Factors Management and Lifestyle Modifications was an insightful session by Dr. Sunil Kaza Cardiologist, Nashville, Tn, USA. “Do South Asians need their own Lipid Guidelines?” was the topic addressed by Dr. Raman Puri Cardiologist, Apollo Hospital, Delhi. Managing Subclinical Atherosclerosis — Prevent, Detect, and Pre-empt Heart Attacks in Young Southeast Asians; Role of CTA and Calcium Scoring were the topics inasightfuly addressed by Dr. Brahma Sharma Cardiologist, affiliated to Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA.

Innovations in Reducing Cardiometabolic Risk; Thinking Outside the Box was yet another valuable topic addressed by an eminent group of panelists. Technological innovation CGMs, Devices, Apps, Websites and More was addressed by Dr. Brij Makkar Director, Diabetes and Obesity Center, Delhi.

Care Delivery Innovations: Time to Rethink and Transform Our Paradigms was addressed by Dr. Anuj Bhargava MD, MBA, CDCES, FACP, FACE CEO, My Diabetes Home CEO, Iowa Diabetes. The session on Managing Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome was presented by Kris Vijayaraghavan, MD, MD Cardiologist, Lipidologist and Endocrinologist Arizona, USA.

PSA – Quandaries and Conundrum was another important topic addressed by Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, MD, MS, FRCS Chairman, Urologic Clinics of North Florida, and the President Elect of AAPI.

The Summary Panel – Bringing it all together; Taking care of the whole patient and reducing global cardiometabolic risk through a combined effort was moderated by Dr. Vinayak Agrawal, Fortis Heart Institute.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Kathula said, “Local problems should find local solutions. What is popular and found effective in a White population cannot be often duplicated in India.” In addition, while complementing Dr. Lokesh Edara’s efforts in championing the cause of Global Medical Education, Dr. Kathula suggested that “we need to identify and support such champions in their mission to accomplish a lofty goal that helps realize the mission of AAPI.”

For more information about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Receives Prestigious Zimmer Medal for Intellectual Freedom Amidst COVID-19 Policy Controversies

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University, was awarded the American Academy of Sciences and Letters’ Robert J. Zimmer Medal for Intellectual Freedom on Wednesday. The award, considered one of the academy’s highest honors, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage in defending intellectual freedom, especially when faced with political pressures to alter their work. Bhattacharya’s outspoken stance on COVID-19 policies led to this recognition, which he received at the academy’s annual ceremony held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. There, he also joined Princeton University Professor Stephen Macedo for a discussion on his journey and challenges faced during the pandemic.

During the interview, Macedo asked Bhattacharya about the initial moment when he opposed the government’s COVID-19 measures. Reflecting on that time, Bhattacharya shared, “I wasn’t prepared for it… I had never published an op-ed. I had never been on TV. I was a quiet scholar, and I had this idea regarding the pandemic that the disease was more widespread than people realized.” He explained that after writing an op-ed, he encountered a strong backlash, including death threats, and noted that Stanford University investigated him over unsubstantiated allegations. “The university, which I loved, … investigated me for false allegations … that they knew were false,” he said, adding, “I got sent a very clear signal that I needed to stay quiet.”

Despite the intense scrutiny and personal distress, Bhattacharya felt compelled to continue voicing his concerns. “I lost sleep, I couldn’t eat,” he recalled, “But I decided that I didn’t care about my career anymore and I needed to say what I saw.” Bhattacharya believed that the existing policies disproportionately impacted the less fortunate, saying, “These policies that we were following were going to harm a lot of poor people … and there were better policies possible.” In 2020, he co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, an open letter aimed at public health authorities and government officials, challenging the effectiveness of lockdowns and other restrictive pandemic measures. Describing his motivations, he called the declaration “the least original thing” he had written, and Macedo observed that the ideas in the letter echoed earlier pandemic strategies.

Bhattacharya also made comparisons with past health crises, including the 1968 Hong Kong flu, humorously pointing out that the United States held the Woodstock festival rather than enforcing restrictive measures. He argued that normal social activities should not be completely halted, saying, “The idea that disrupting normal social life is in itself bad for health, I thought was a commonplace in public health.”

Macedo then asked Bhattacharya why governments worldwide resorted to lockdowns and strict measures akin to those implemented in China. Bhattacharya attributed this approach to a complex set of factors, primarily fear. “I think it’s complicated, but … the central thing is fear. I think public health authorities were scared of this new disease, and they decided that scaring people was also a good policy.” He also noted that modern technology played a significant role in allowing widespread dissemination of pandemic protocols and real-time tracking, a concept unthinkable in previous eras.

Macedo brought up the fact that while Bhattacharya was seen as “a dissenter from mainstream policy,” many others agreed with his perspective but hesitated to speak up. Bhattacharya explained that fear was a major factor holding people back. “I think people were very, very scared, both about their own physical safety, but also, they’re scared for their own careers,” he said, noting that he shared those concerns initially.

During the interview, Bhattacharya touched on a lawsuit he is involved in, which alleges that the Biden administration encouraged social media companies to suppress views contrary to official COVID-19 policies. “In 2022, when Elon Musk bought Twitter, it turns out that I had been placed on a blacklist the day I joined Twitter because I put the Great Barrington Declaration on there,” he stated. He emphasized that this action was not random, “There was a systematic campaign by the federal bureaucracy, including the CDC, the surgeon general’s office,” he said, claiming that federal agencies exerted pressure on social media platforms to silence opposition voices. “The American First Amendment didn’t hold during the pandemic. We did not have free speech,” Bhattacharya asserted. He expressed optimism that his side would ultimately prevail in court, noting, “The government going to Twitter or to Facebook and saying ‘Silence Jay or silence people like Jay who are saying these kinds of things,’ where I’m not told I’m being silenced, I don’t get to tell the government to go take a hike … that’s a violation of the First Amendment.”

The conversation shifted to what Macedo described as an increasing tendency toward “paternalism in public health,” where officials assume that the public lacks a full understanding of the science and should thus be guided rather than informed openly. Bhattacharya countered this view by pointing to the role of scientific consensus in ethical public health advice. “If I go around and say smoking is good for you … I’ve done something deeply harmful to the public … but the ethical basis for that is that there really is an honest scientific consensus that smoking is terrible for you.” However, he argued that the pandemic lacked such a consensus, adding, “What we needed was everyone speaking up and saying what they saw, so there was no ethical basis for the normal public health angle to say, ‘Look, you just need to fall in line and say what everybody else says.’”

The discussion wrapped up with Macedo asking Bhattacharya if a recent conference on COVID-19 policy at Stanford, which Bhattacharya organized, hinted at a shift in Stanford’s stance on open debate. Bhattacharya expressed optimism, sharing that the university’s president had chosen to avoid taking a stance on the matter. “What he said was, ‘We have an obligation to be the kind of place where these kinds of conversations happen,’” Bhattacharya recounted. He concluded, “What we do as universities is provide the platform where people of good faith can come together and talk to each other. That’s what we’ve forgotten about, and that leads to great things.”

The Zimmer Medal has been awarded only once before, with Sir Salman Rushdie as the inaugural recipient in 2023. Rushdie, known for his critical commentary on the Quran in his book The Satanic Verses, was celebrated for his resilience and “refusal to be silenced.”

In addition to the Zimmer Medal, the American Academy of Sciences and Letters also recognized ten professors with Barry Prizes for Distinguished Intellectual Achievement, acknowledging contributions across various academic fields. Recipients included Akhil Reed Amar and Nicholas Christakis from Yale, Henry Louis Gates, Karin Öberg, and Jeannie Suk Gersen from Harvard, among others. Each Barry Prize laureate was awarded a $50,000 cash prize as part of their recognition.

Moreover, over fifty new members joined the academy this year. Salvatore Torquato, a Princeton professor among the new inductees, commended the academy’s dedication to defending academic freedom, which he described as “sorely needed.” The academy’s mission, according to its website, is to champion “intellectual rigor” and support the “truth-seeking, knowledge-advancing” role of academic institutions. Howard University’s Gospel Choir added to the ceremony’s atmosphere with a live performance.

World Vegan Vision Hosts Inspiring Event on Heart Health and Veganism with Dr. Bimal Chhajer

New York, NY – World Vegan Vision recently held a successful event on October 19, 2024, at the Asa’mai Temple, spotlighting the vital connection between heart health and a plant-based lifestyle. The keynote speaker, renowned cardiologist Dr. Bimal Chhajer, captivated attendees with his insights on reversing heart disease through veganism.

The event drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to learn about the life-saving benefits of a vegan diet and how it can positively impact heart health. Dr. Chhajer shared key takeaways, including essential practices to manage and even reverse heart disease naturally. His approach emphasized cholesterol management, the elimination of oils in cooking, regular exercise, and stress reduction through yoga and meditation. The following are few critical insights from Dr. Chhajer’s presentation:

Cholesterol Management: Avoid all animal products to reduce cholesterol.

Zero-Oil Cooking: Exclude all oils to promote heart health.

Exercise: A daily 35-minute walk on an empty stomach significantly improves heart function.

Stress Management: Incorporate yoga and meditation to manage stress, a leading contributor to heart disease.

Blood Pressure Control: Maintain blood pressure at 120/80 mmHg by reducing salt intake.

Blood Sugar Monitoring: Keep fasting blood sugar under 100 mg/dL and HbA1c below 6.5%.

Triglyceride Reduction: Cut triglycerides to under 100 mg/dL (normal is <150 mg/dl) with plant-based foods and regular exercise.

Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on high-fiber, antioxidant-rich foods, eliminating high-fat dairy and nuts.

Weight Management: Achieve a BMI below 24 through a whole-food, plant-based diet.

LDL Cholesterol Control: Keep LDL levels under 70 mg/dL for heart disease reversal. (normal is <100 mg/dl)

HDL Cholesterol: Boost HDL levels with regular exercise, targeting over 40 mg/dL. (normal is >40 mg/dl)

Natural Bypass Therapy: Explore EECP non-invasive cardiac therapy covered by Medicare.

Detox Therapy: Combined with a Zero-oil vegan diet, detox therapy like fasting aids in clearing blockages.

Angina Awareness: Learn to identify angina symptoms such as chest pain and discomfort.

Reversal of Heart Disease: A vegan diet paired with lifestyle changes can reverse severe heart disease.

We would like to clarify that the information we are sharing is not intended to serve as medical advice. Rather, our goal is to provide you with valuable insights and guidance on how to maintain and improve your heart health.

World Vegan Vision is dedicated to promoting the benefits of a vegan lifestyle for both personal health and environmental sustainability. We are grateful to all who attended and look forward to hosting more events aimed at educating and inspiring the community towards heart-healthy, compassionate living.

About Dr. Bimal Chhajer:

Dr. Chhajer is a respected figure in the field of Non-Invasive Cardiology, dedicated to combating heart disease through comprehensive, scientifically-backed lifestyle changes.

About World Vegan Vision:

World Vegan Vision is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of World Vegan Vision is to increase public awareness about the 3 main aspects of Veganism – Health, Animal Rights & Environmental Conservation. The organization aims to organize activities to raise awareness about these issues.

AAPI’s 18th Global Healthcare Summit Focusses on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and the Integration of Technology into Healthcare

(New Delhi, India:  October 21st, 2024) The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as they are increasingly recognized and they hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administration across the United States. Their hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills have carved out an enviable niche in the American medical community.

In India, with a rise in population, there is an urgent need to create awareness and establish effective systems on the need for ways to prevent diseases and help India’s 1.4 Billion people live healthier life.

Satheesh at GHS 2024It’s in this context, the AAPI Global Healthcare Summit (GHS 2024) from October 19-20, 2024 in New Delhi, India, organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in collaboration with and participation from some of the world’s most well-known physicians, and industry leaders becomes very critical and significant.

Dozens of Physician leaders of Indian origin came together in response to this call to contribute to the wellbeing of their fellow countrymen in India by participating at the 18th edition of the Global Healthcare Summit 2024 at the Le Meridien Hotel at the heart of New Delhi, India.

“It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you all to the 18th AAPI Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), in his inaugural address. “This year we gather under the important and timely theme of preventing cancer and heart attacks through lifestyle modifications and technology in a world where chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illnesses continue to pose significant health threats, where corrective mission has never been more urgent.”

“We have chosen New Delhi for the Global Healthcare Summit 2024, because, this is where all the actions are taking place, including policy discussions and legislation to address the needs of the nation,” said Dr. Kathula.

GHS main 2“AAPI has been engaged in harnessing the power of Indian Diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost-effective healthcare and preventable solutions to India, Dr. Kathula said.  “This international health care summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007. GHS 2024 will focus on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and Integration of Technology in Healthcare,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI.

Honorable Health Minister of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda delivered via video an address on national prevention strategies. Dr. Nadda acknowledged that the world is staring at two most critical health challenges, cancer and cardiac diseases. Dr. Nadda said. “With aging population, changes in lifestyle and increasing urbanization, the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks, are on the rise.”

Dr. Nadda said, “I’m happy to share that through the national program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke program, we are providing a framework for individuals across the country who access health education screenings and support services aimed at prevention and early detection. It is well known that the lifestyle modification is the key pillar in the prevention of ailments like cancer and cardiac diseases. Foundation of prevention of these diseases lies in adopting healthier lifestyles, like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and shunning tobacco and alcohol, Dr. Nadda told the AAPI delegates.

GHS Rashtrapati Bhavan“We all know that AAPI has been playing a key role in the exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of medicine between India and the US today,” Dr. Nadda said. “Together, we can harness the power of innovation and lifestyle modification to safety, frequently, reduce the burden of cancer and heart diseases, not only in India but across the globe. I thank AAPI for organizing the Global Healthcare Summit in India, wishing the summit a grand success.”

The CME sessions by eminent physicians from India and abroad offered a unique perspectives on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and the Integration of Technology into Healthcare Describing the message and theme for the Summit,

“This this year marks a significant milestone in the history of AAPI, as we proudly introduce the Fellowship of AAPI (FAAPI), said Dr. Kathula. “This prestigious recognition on is not only doctors, but also healthcare administrators who have made substantial contributions in their respective fields. In India, for the inaugural year, we are delighted to announce that three eminent physicians and administrators have been selected as eligible recipients. Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Bhasnji Kundaria, and Dr. Raman Kumar were honored by AAPI with this prestigious award.

GHS honoreesThis international healthcare summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI in 2007. “Providing a forum for innovative opportunities for learning, networking and giving back to our motherland that have now enabled us to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event that will be over 300 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons from abroad, in addition to the hundreds of physicians from India, who are very passionate about serving their homeland, mother India,” Dr. Sunil Kaza, Chair of AAPI BOT said.

According to Dr. Anjali Gulati, Convener of GHS 2024, “AAPI rapidly expands its vision for India – in educational research, clinical programs, global outreach and a tie-up with the Indian Government on healthcare programs. GHS 2024 offered a unique forum for physicians of Indian origin  to come together, share their knowledge and expertise in their respective medical fields with their fellow physicians from around the world, and to learn from one another.”

For the first time ever, AAPI delegates had an opportunity to visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential Palace of India in New Delhi. During this unique guided tour of the historic premises of India’s President.

GHS 2024 awardees 1Also, the AAPI delegates had an opportunity to visit and pray at the world famous Swaminarayan Akshardham at New Delhi with an informative and inspiring journey through an ancient culture’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of all humans.

Fashion Show and live entertainment by Preeti Bhalla took the AAPI delegates to the nostalgic memories of the 1960s and 70s. The cuisine added special flavor to the Summit.

A spontaneous session on Medical Education Abroad and how to navigate the system and explore opportunities to study and work in the United States by AAPI leadership was much appreciated by the hundreds of Medical students and Fellows who had come to be part of the GHS 2024.

Poster and Research Contest by over 70 Medical students and Fellows from across the nation added value to the event with the new generation of Indian Medical students showcasing their talents, skills and commitment to medical education.

Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President-Elect of AAPI says, “AAPI has a mandate to help disseminate our medical knowledge, our expertise and technological advances to the rest of the world, and to India in particular. Headquartered in Chicago, AAPI has come to be recognized as a strong voice in the healthcare legislation and policy arena.”

“With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision of GHS 2024, AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare in India,” Dr. Kathula said.

AAPI Collage Oct 20 2“In our quest to fulfill the mission of AAPI, we are proud to share best practice and experiences from leading experts in the world and develop actionable plans for launching demonstration projects that enable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all people. Thank you for your participation and for being part of this movement for healthier world, let’s continue to work together, leveraging both the power of Prevention and the promise of technology to Save Lives,” Dr. Kathula added.

Dr. Kathula expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and support  by Dr. Sunil Karza, Chair AAPI BOT, Dr. Lokesh Edara, past BOT Chair of AAPI, Dr. Anjali Gulati, GHS Convener, Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Dr. Brahma SDharma, Dr. Amit Govil and Dr. Hetal Gor. He called out Dr. Shubham Anand, the Organizing Secretary of GHS 2024 and his dedicated team from India for their generous support and taking this opportunity to make GHS a memorable event for all. Dr. Soumya Neravetla eloquently emceed the Summit.

Amit Chakrabarty, President-Elect of AAPI said, the current President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu suggested to have AAPI’s collaboration in having a TB Free Tribal India, and this initiative will be led by Dr. Manoj Jain. The Diabetes related efforts are being led by Dr. Smitha Joshi. The Ayurveda Consortium is being led by Dr. Amit Shah, Dr. Artin Prasad, and Dr. Dilip Sarkar. Dr. Chakrabarty invited AAPI members to participate at the 19th edition of AAPI’s Global Healthcare Summit with focus on Tuberculosis, Ayurveda, and Diabetes, which will be held in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa from January 9-11, 2026.

For more information on Global Health Summit 2024, please visit https://aapisummit.org

How Deep-Fried, Baked, and Grilled Foods Are Fueling India’s Diabetes Epidemic

The rapid increase in diabetes cases in India is being directly linked to the widespread consumption of deep-fried, baked, and grilled foods, which have become household staples across the country in recent years. These ultra-processed foods, easily found in every corner of India, are identified as a major cause behind the growing prevalence of diabetes, according to medical experts.

India now has an alarming 101 million people living with diabetes. A report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) reveals that more than 10 percent of the population between the ages of 5 and 19 are pre-diabetic, signaling the beginning stages of the condition.

A new study, published in the *International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition*, shows a direct correlation between the consumption of deep-fried, baked, and grilled foods and the onset of diabetes. These foods are rich in harmful compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are linked to inflammation and several chronic diseases, including diabetes.

“When we fry or grill foods, it results in oxidative stress, which promotes inflammation,” explained Dr. V Mohan, a leading diabetologist from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai. “Chronic inflammation is associated with not only diabetes but also hypertension, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Ultra-processed foods, especially those high in trans fats, are particularly damaging to our health,” Mohan added in an interview with IANS.

In addition to poor dietary habits, other factors like stress, lack of sleep, and air pollution are also exacerbating the diabetes crisis in India, according to health experts.

While foods high in dietary AGEs are shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and inflammation, certain foods are classified as low in AGEs and can offer some protection against these conditions. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, oats, dairy products, eggs, fish, and tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews are considered low-AGE foods, making them beneficial for those looking to reduce their risk of diabetes.

“Our study showed that foods rich in dietary AGEs were closely linked to the development of type 2 diabetes and chronic inflammation,” Mohan said. “On the other hand, foods low in dietary AGEs seemed to offer a protective effect against diabetes.”

AGEs are formed through a process called glycation, where sugar molecules bond with proteins or fats in a non-enzymatic reaction. This process creates compounds that can lead to harmful inflammatory reactions in the body, contributing to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes.

In particular, deep-fried foods, especially popular street food in India, are often prepared with reheated oil. According to Dr. Mohan, this reheating process significantly increases the amount of trans fats in the food. “Reheated oil is loaded with trans fats, which are known to significantly increase the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer,” Mohan explained.

However, the dangers aren’t limited to deep-fried foods. Even grilled or baked foods, which are often perceived as healthier alternatives, may pose serious health risks. Dr. Mithal, another prominent health expert, explained that grilling foods at high temperatures produces toxic compounds that can have harmful effects on the body.

“Many people believe that grilled food is healthier because it’s not fried, but that’s not always the case,” Mithal said. “Grilling exposes the food to extremely high temperatures, which leads to the formation of toxic aromatic carbons, some of which can be carcinogenic.”

Baked foods, often viewed as a healthier option, also come with potential risks. While baking eliminates the frying process, most baked goods are high in carbohydrates, which can also contribute to the diabetes epidemic. The study conducted by the MDRF found that excessive carbohydrate consumption, especially in the form of white rice or refined wheat (commonly known as maida), is a significant driver of diabetes in India.

“Excessive intake of carbohydrates, particularly from white rice or refined wheat, is a direct cause of the diabetes epidemic in India,” the MDRF study stated.

These findings suggest that common dietary habits in India, especially the reliance on fried, baked, and grilled foods, are contributing significantly to the rising number of diabetes cases in the country. The situation is further worsened by the availability and affordability of these ultra-processed foods, making them a staple in the diets of many Indian families.

As India continues to grapple with this growing diabetes crisis, experts emphasize the importance of dietary changes, including reducing the consumption of fried and ultra-processed foods and opting for healthier alternatives. Foods rich in fiber, low in trans fats, and free from harmful AGEs should be prioritized in daily meals to help combat the prevalence of diabetes.

During Meeting with India’s Ministry of Health and NITI Aayog Officials, AAPI Leadership Emphasizes Importance of Family Practice Specialized Medical Education

India, home to one of the oldest medicinal systems in the world has made remarkable progress in streamlining and working towards enhancing medical education in recent years. As the world is evolving to meet the ever-changing needs, medical education in India is moving forward with the objective of enabling every medical graduate and postgraduate to be the best in the world.

AAPI Meeys NITI 4Several changes are being made for graduate and post graduate medical education in Indian medical education system to be at par and for easy mobilization around the world, with the goal of making India the medical education hub for the world.

In this context, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), which has been leading efforts to help streamline medical education in India to meet the global standards, had a meeting on October 18th, 2024 with the officials of the Indian Government during the ongoing Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, with the objective of advocating for and emphasizing the importance of Family Practice Specialized Medical Education in India.

AAPI delegation was led by Dr. Sateesh Kathula, President, AAPI,  Dr. Lokesh Edara, Past Chairman of AAPI BOT and Global Medical Education, and Dr. Vasu Singh, AAPI Regional Director.

AAPI leaders met with the leadership council at National Institute for India Transformation (NITI) Aayog Bhavan,AAPI Meets NITI 3 led by Dr. Vinod Paul, Medical Director, NITI. Key attendees included Dr. Abhijath Sheth, President of National Board of Medical Exams (NBME), Chair of National Medical Council; Ms. V. Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr. B. Srinivas, Secretary, NMC; Dr. Subodh Kumar, Executive Director, NBEMS; Shri Rajib Kumar Sen, NITI Aayog Program Director.

Dr. Kathula shared with the Indian officials about the model of family medicine in the US and emphasized the need to expand family medicine departments and post graduate seats in India. He also shared the benefits of having family medicine in rural areas and small cities and making  2-3 year residency program mandatory after 5 1/2 years of medical education similar to the United States, which can improve quality of care significantly.

AAPI Meets NITI 2Dr. Kathula suggested that “Family medicine should not be a gatekeeper for referrals to specialists but rather they should be taking care most of the medical conditions including Pediatric and Obstetrics and Gynecology patients. In addition, he recommended creating incentives such as offering sub specialties like geriatrics, palliative care similar to the US, in order to attract more doctors towards family medicine. He said, “There should be clear distinction between general medicine and family medicine and change the name of general medicine to internal medicine to avoid confusion.”

In his presentation to the Indian officials, Dr. Lokesh Edara highlighted as to how in the Unted States and United Kingdom, there is an allocation of 25% of Post Graduate Medical Seats given to Family Practice. He advocated that Indian allocate a minimum of 25,000 per year to Family Practice PG Medical students, which will be a significant step towards enhancing healthcare in India. Describing the initiative as “a historic milestone and a testament to the commitment of AAPI towards Global Medical Education,” Dr. Lokesh Edara said, “This strategic move is crucial for strengthening primary healthcare and addressing the needs of diverse populations across the country.”

“AAPI is indeed a powerful platform for advocacy in healthcare. We encourage all the AAPI members to activelyAAPI Meets NITI 1 participate in these efforts. By collaborating and leveraging our collective voices, we can effectively advocate for policies and initiatives that enhance healthcare access, improve education, and support the well-being of communities both in India and the U.S. Your involvement can make a significant impact,” Dr. Edara added.

The high-ranking officials of the Government of India and NITI expressed support for such initiatives, and shared their openness to incorporate these suggestions, which are aimed at aligning with the vision for 2047, ensuring that every family in India receives the care from a trained Post Graduate in Family Medicine.

Dr. Vinod Paul reiterated that most of the MBBS Doctors are choosing specialization and there is a concern that not many Primary Care Doctors will be left to take care of the rural population. According to him, there are very few postgraduate seats in Family Medicine compared to the US, UK, Australia and other developed nations.

AAPI Global Medical Education has led this effort taking the delegation to the Indian National Board of Examinations in medical science NBEMS (nbe.edu.in) which conducts examination for the 1.8 million students and UG entrance examination across India and conduct the PG NNET entrance examination for 200,000 students annually.

Dr. Vasu Singh urged Indian Government and NITI to increase family medicine PG seats and nationalized formative assessment tests in theory part for all postgraduates and for post-graduate exit theory examination suggested computerized online test, nationwide E-Learning systems for higher transfer of Knowledge in medical education.

Dr. Kathula expressed hope that “The excellence gained through long term vision, insight and hard work and exchange of ideas and challenges will benefit the medical education system in India and help tens of thousands of medical graduates coming from India to have recognition in the US.”

AAPI Meets NITIAAPI is an umbrella organization which has nearly 160 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. For over 41 years, Indian physicians have made significant contributions to health care in this country, not only practicing in inner cities, rural areas and peripheral communities but also at the top medical schools and other academic centers. Almost 10%-12% of medical students entering US schools are of Indian origin. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, AAPI represents the interests of over nearly 200,000 physicians, medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States.

For more information on AAPI and its many initiatives, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

A Call to Action: Prevent Hypertension — Engage in Salt Reduction

Hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality worldwide.  In 2019, 1.72 million deaths and 40.54 million DALYs were caused by CVD due to high dietary sodium globally, representing a 41.08% and 33.06% increase since 1990.  In 2023, this estimate further increased to 1.89 million deaths associated with excess sodium consumption. Both India and the United States of America top the list of most burdened countries.

This data is alarming considering the cause has been well known for decades and can be relatively easily addressed.  These studies do not call for complex medication regimens or treatments.  The totality of the evidence strongly supports a population-wide reduction in salt intake (AHA). Salt reduction causes a dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure: the lower the salt intake, the lower the blood pressure (AHA).

Yet, medical organizations and governments are barely engaged in salt reduction to prevent hypertension. It is reflected in WHO’s cry for help: “massive efforts needed to reduce salt intake and protect lives”. Only nine countries (Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay) have a comprehensive package of recommended policies to reduce sodium intake.  WHO again says: “Reducing sodium intake is one of the most cost-effective measures to improve health and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases: for every US $1 invested in scaling up sodium reduction interventions, there will be a return of at least US$12.”

In India, of the estimated 220 million people with hypertension, only 12% have their blood pressure under control. Hypertension kills more adults than any other cause and is readily preventable and treatable. The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is principally engaged in improving better diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

But what about prevention? It’s time to look at high blood pressure as a preventable disease. India only received a score of 2 (out of 4) from WHO due to its lack of mandatory sodium declaration policy.  WHO estimates that 7 million lives could be saved worldwide by 2030 if countries can adopt appropriate sodium reduction, however few countries are on track.  To achieve this goal WHO recommends mandatory legislation that includes maximum sodium content limit, marketing restrictions, labelling and fiscal policies.

Global health care agencies must prioritize salt reduction as the critical strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease globally.  Adding salt to food confers no known nutritional benefit, while increasing the risk of hypertension and many other deadly or disabling diseases.  It’s time to tackle the root cause.

From Pollution to Prevention: Combating Lung Cancer in India

Lung cancer is a silent epidemic in Southeast Asia, claiming 166,260 lives annually and making it the leading cause of cancer mortality in the region, like most of the world. In India alone, there are 72,510 new cases and 66,279 deaths each year, highlighting a growing public health crisis. Unlike in the United States, where lung cancer rates are gradually declining, India has seen a troubling increase in incidence—from 6.62 per 100,000 in 1990 to 7.7 per 100,000 in 2019. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to combat this disease.

Lung cancer presents approximately a decade earlier in India as compared to Western countries, with a mean age at diagnosis of 54–70 years. This earlier onset could be attributed to the overall younger population (median age 28.2) and unique risk factors like air pollution.  Several studies have reported between 40 and 50% cases in India are non-smokers.  In addition to air pollution, occupational exposure to chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and coal products increase risk.  Biomass fuel usage is a common risk in rural areas.

Tobacco, however, remains the primary culprit.  India is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. Among adults, 42% of men and 14.2% women currently either smoke or use smokeless tobacco; khaini and bidi are the most used smokeless and smoked products, respectively. The mean age of starting daily tobacco use is just 18.7 years, and three out of ten adults working indoors have been exposed to second hand smoke.

Additionally, hookah use, prevalent in the Kashmir region, has also been associated with increased rates of lung cancer.  While tobacco use has decreased significantly from 47% in 2000 to 29% in 2018, it remains the highest globally.  India has been consistently moving forward with tobacco cessation efforts, included the recent launch of a nationwide “Tobacco Quit Line”.

There is limited data about lung cancer screening in India and Southeast Asia. While data shows that low-dose computed tomography can effectively identify potentially malignant lung nodules, the high false-positive rate—due to a significant incidence of granulomatous diseases like TB and histoplasmosis—complicates implementation in India. Further studies are essential to better understand how to effectively utilize screening in this context.

Unfortunately, this high rate of granulomatous disease also leads to significant delays in diagnosis with many cancer patients being initially treated for TB.  Thus, most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages.  In addition, even among early stage patients, a significant proportion do not undergo curative resection or treatment, further exacerbating mortality rates.

Addressing lung cancer in India requires a multifaceted approach, particularly in developing effective screening strategies. While it may take time and resources to develop implement these initiatives, the importance of prevention cannot be overstated.

Given that tobacco use remains the most cause of lung cancer, ongoing efforts to reduce consumption are crucial. In addition, efforts to decrease pollution and workplace exposure should be increased. By prioritizing risk factor reduction while developing early detection methods, India can significantly impact lung cancer mortality rates and ultimately save lives.

Global Movement Sparks Change for Healthcare Worker Safety After Tragic Kolkata Incident

The tragic August 2024 incident at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, where a young female doctor was raped and murdered, exposed the serious dangers faced by healthcare professionals in India, especially women. This heartbreaking event ignited widespread protests across the country, highlighting the need for systemic changes in hospital security and the safety of healthcare workers. The Physicians of Indian Origin United for Wellbeing and Safety of Healthcare Workers (PIUWSH), an advocacy group formed in the wake of this tragedy, emerged as a key voice in pushing for reforms and safeguarding the well-being of healthcare workers, not just in India but globally.

On the night of August 9, 2024, a young resident doctor, referred to as “Abhaya” to protect her identity, was working late when she was violently attacked and murdered. This heinous crime occurred within the supposed safety of a major medical institution, sending shockwaves through the medical community. Doctors and healthcare workers in West Bengal and across India expressed outrage and frustration, demanding better protection and justice for the victim. The horrific attack highlighted the vulnerabilities healthcare workers face, particularly female professionals, and sparked a nationwide call for significant reforms.

In response to the crime, protests erupted in Kolkata, with junior doctors leading the charge. While they took to the streets, senior doctors provided support by covering their shifts, ensuring medical services continued. However, peaceful protests soon faced violent opposition as mobs, believed to have been hired to disrupt the movement, attacked demonstrators and vandalized hospital property. Despite police presence, law enforcement failed to act decisively, further infuriating the medical community. The protests were no longer just about justice for Abhaya; they became a broader outcry against the systemic issues endangering healthcare workers.

As the protests gained momentum, the movement expanded beyond the medical community. Many non-medical citizens, seeing Abhaya as a daughter or sister, joined the demonstrations, lending broader public support to the doctors’ demands. The tragedy struck a chord with people from all walks of life, transforming the protests into a powerful societal movement.

Simultaneously, Indian doctors abroad felt compelled to support their colleagues back home. A group of alumni from various Indian medical colleges and associations of Indian-origin physicians formed PIUWSH, initially starting as a WhatsApp group. The group quickly mobilized to send letters to elected representatives in multiple countries, including India, advocating for better protection and systemic changes to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. Over the following months, these letters were sent in waves, demonstrating a unified call for reform.

The Supreme Court of India responded to the outcry, issuing a firm directive that justice for Abhaya must be pursued. In response to the national protests and increasing demand for change, the Court ordered the formation of a National Task Force (NTF) to investigate the incident and evaluate the safety protocols in hospitals across the country. The task force was charged with developing recommendations to improve working conditions and security measures for healthcare professionals.

PIUWSH, although a young organization, quickly became involved in the national effort. Representatives from PIUWSH engaged in discussions with the leadership of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and a key member of the NTF to explore how best they could contribute to the reform process. Drawing on a detailed analysis of the RG Kar incident, PIUWSH provided the NTF with comprehensive recommendations, including regulating duty hours to prevent exhaustion, enhancing hospital security, and implementing legal protections for healthcare workers.

The advocacy of PIUWSH extended beyond Indian borders. In September 2024, one of its members met with the Prime Minister of India during his visit to the United States to discuss the safety concerns of healthcare workers and deliver the group’s recommendations for reform. Additionally, PIUWSH members engaged with consular officials in various cities, ensuring that the voices of Indian-origin doctors in the U.S. and other countries were heard at the highest levels of government.

Media played a crucial role in keeping the RG Kar tragedy in the public eye. PIUWSH collaborated with both national and international media outlets to maintain focus on the issue. Major Indian news outlets such as the Tribune, Indian Express, and Times of India, along with global media like BBC and The New York Times, provided extensive coverage of the protests and the doctors’ demands. This widespread media attention helped sustain public interest and pressure for change.

Social media platforms also became key tools for PIUWSH to share updates on the protests, mobilize global support, and spread awareness. Hashtags like #JusticeForDoctors and #WorkplaceSafety gained traction, ensuring the issue reached a wide audience across different regions.

Beyond raising awareness, PIUWSH and its allies organized solidarity events, candlelight vigils, and demonstrations in several countries, including the United States. These events drew attention to the challenges healthcare workers face in India and underscored the need for urgent reforms. PIUWSH members participated in major gatherings, such as the New York City India Day Parade and the Global Citizens’ Festival, amplifying their message on a global stage. In hundreds of cities, people gathered with posters calling for justice for Abhaya and advocating for healthcare worker safety, emphasizing the international scope of the issue.

As the movement continues, PIUWSH remains committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of healthcare workers in India and around the world. The RG Kar tragedy exposed deep-rooted issues in India’s healthcare system, from inadequate infrastructure to hostile working conditions. However, these problems are not unique to India. Healthcare workers globally face similar challenges, and PIUWSH aims to address these issues through advocacy and collaboration.

The goals of the ongoing protests in India will only be achieved when concrete measures for justice for Abhaya are implemented, and substantial reforms to prevent future tragedies are executed on the ground. As of the time of writing, doctors in India are entering their second week of a hunger strike, with four already hospitalized in intensive care. The protests, which have lasted over two months, continue as the medical community waits for promises of reform to be translated into real action. PIUWSH’s immediate goal is to ensure that healthcare workers in India feel supported and heard, and that the international spotlight remains on this critical issue.

Looking ahead, PIUWSH aims to build trust with its key stakeholders by collaborating with international medical organizations, continuing to support medical trainees, and contributing to the safety and security of healthcare workers. Through these efforts, PIUWSH hopes to create a safer and more supportive environment for healthcare professionals, both in India and beyond.

Will India permit Euthanasia?

An easy or painless death, or the intentional termination of life at the request of a person suffering from an incurable or painful disease is called euthanasia or mercy killing. In other words the act of killing someone who is very sick or very old so that they do not suffer more, comes under euthanasia.

 So far, euthanasia is a crime in India. Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with attempted suicide and Section 306 of the IPC deals with abetment of suicide – both acts are punishable. Only those who are brain dead can escape their lives with the consent of family members.

Euthanasia laws differ in different countries. The British House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics defines euthanasia as “deliberate intervention carried out with the express purpose of ending a life to relieve intractable suffering”. Euthanasia is classified into different methods which include voluntary, non-voluntary and voluntary.[6] Voluntary euthanasia is where a person wishes to end their own life and is legal in developing countries. Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when a patient’s consent is not available and is legal in some countries under certain limited conditions, both active and passive forms. Voluntary euthanasia, performed without consent or against the patient’s will, is illegal in all countries and is usually considered murder.

While there is a move in the British Parliament to introduce a bill to legalize doctor-assisted euthanasia, many people, including UK Malayalis, are fighting for their lives. The bill, which will be introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater on October 16 to give terminally ill people the opportunity to “choose” the end of life, is being criticized on social media. Parliamentarians will discuss the issue. The reason for the concern is that if the law comes into force, euthanasia will be fully legalized in England and Wales.

As the Constitution Bench had done earlier in the Gian Kaur case, the court reaffirmed that the right to die with dignity is a fundamental right and held that an adult man with the mental capacity to make an informed decision has the right to refuse medical treatment. Treatment including termination of life. On 19 May 2023 The Supreme Court’s consideration of revised draft guidelines for the practice of euthanasia in India is a welcome move. This includes patients who do not recover from brain death after 72 hours.

Advocates of mercy killing argue that for patients who are in vegetative states with no prospect of recovery, letting them die prevents future needless and futile treatment efforts. If they are suffering then killing them prevents further suffering

In 2018 the Supreme Court recognised the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right and prescribed guidelines for terminally ill patients to enforce the right. In 2023 the Supreme Court modified the guidelines to make the right to die with dignity more accessible.

The Supreme Court has also raised this issue in the recent judgement3. ‘Mercy killing’ should not lead to ‘killing mercy’ in the hands of noble medical professionals.

The main reason cited against mercy death is the potential for abuse, where individuals could be coerced or manipulated into choosing death.

If there is no hope and the person suffers with every breath, why do we let them suffer it? Isn’t that cruel? When hospice is called in they medicate you into almost a coma till you pass.

Euthanasia, even if it is at the request of the patient, is suicidal and a violation of the Ten commandment “Thou shalt not kill”. Against this, the call for Malayalis who always uphold moral values ​​to sign the online campaign is getting stronger.

Biden’s Balancing Act: US Diplomacy Faces Hurdles in Israel-Gaza Conflict

A year after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel, sparking a brutal war in Gaza, US President Joe Biden finds himself navigating a precarious path between support for Israel and efforts to broker a ceasefire. On October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked, killing more than 1,200 people and kidnapping 250, including US citizens, Biden became the first sitting US president to visit Israel during a time of war. During his visit, he assured Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that “You are not alone,” but he also warned them not to repeat the mistakes made by the US in the aftermath of 9/11.

A year later, Biden’s efforts to restrain the escalation of violence while supporting Israel appear to be faltering. In September 2024, Biden led calls for de-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah at the United Nations, only for Israeli airstrikes to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah shortly after. This assassination, carried out with US-supplied bunker buster bombs, marked a significant turning point in the conflict, and Biden’s diplomacy seemed buried beneath the ruins of Beirut.

The US has made multiple attempts to broker a ceasefire and negotiate the release of hostages taken by Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has traveled to the Middle East ten times since the October 7 attacks, seeking to mediate between Israel and Hamas. Despite these efforts, US diplomacy has struggled to gain traction, and Blinken’s mission to secure a ceasefire has been repeatedly thwarted. On his ninth visit to the region in August 2024, optimism that a deal might be close evaporated when the Emir of Qatar, a key player in talks with Hamas, became unavailable, and Netanyahu insisted on keeping Israeli troops along Gaza’s border with Egypt. This condition was a deal breaker for both Hamas and Egypt, and the negotiations collapsed.

The situation on the ground in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry. Thousands more remain missing, and the United Nations has reported record numbers of aid workers killed in Israeli strikes. Humanitarian groups accuse Israel of blocking essential aid, though the Israeli government denies these claims. The conflict has also spread beyond Gaza, with violence erupting in the occupied West Bank and Lebanon, and Iran firing missiles at Israel in retaliation for Nasrallah’s death.

Despite Biden’s administration claiming some success in moderating Israeli military actions, particularly in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, where the invasion was reportedly less extensive due to US pressure, the overall goal of achieving a ceasefire remains elusive. Biden temporarily suspended a shipment of bombs to Israel in an attempt to restrain the military’s escalation, but this move was met with backlash from Netanyahu and US Republicans, leading the administration to partially lift the suspension soon after.

In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with famine-like conditions reported earlier in 2024. US officials, however, claim that their intervention has led to increased aid deliveries to the region. “It’s through the intervention and the involvement and the hard work of the United States that we’ve been able to get humanitarian assistance into those in Gaza, which is not to say that this is… mission accomplished,” says Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman. “It is very much not. It is an ongoing process.”

Critics argue that US diplomacy has been superficial, given the billions in military aid sent to Israel. Some former officials claim that the US has failed to use its leverage over Israel to halt the violence. “To say [the administration] conducted diplomacy is true in the most superficial sense in that they conducted a lot of meetings. But they never made any reasonable effort to change the behavior of one of the main actors—Israel,” says Harrison J. Mann, a former US Army Major who worked in the Middle East and Africa section of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Mann resigned earlier this year, in protest of US support for Israel’s military operations, citing the high civilian death toll caused by American-supplied weapons.

However, Biden’s allies staunchly reject this criticism, pointing to the diplomatic success of last November’s truce, which resulted in the release of over 100 hostages in exchange for 300 Palestinian prisoners. The administration also claims credit for preventing an Israeli invasion of Lebanon earlier in the conflict, despite cross-border rocket fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Senator Chris Coons, a Biden ally, argues that the president has managed to prevent the war from spiraling even further, despite provocations from Iran-backed militias and other regional actors. “He has been successful in preventing an escalation—despite repeated and aggressive provocation by the Houthis, by Hezbollah, by the Shia militias in Iraq—and has brought in a number of our regional partners,” Coons says.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attributes Biden’s efforts to an unprecedented level of support for Israel, pointing to the extensive US military deployments in the region following the October 7 attacks, including aircraft carriers and a nuclear submarine. However, Olmert also believes that Netanyahu’s resistance has hindered Biden’s diplomacy. He suggests that Netanyahu’s reliance on far-right, ultranationalist cabinet members has prevented him from agreeing to a ceasefire. “Ending the war as part of an agreement for the release of hostages means a major threat to Netanyahu, and he’s not prepared to accept it,” Olmert says.

Netanyahu has consistently denied that he is blocking a ceasefire deal, asserting that he supports US-backed plans but has sought clarifications, while accusing Hamas of shifting its demands. The relationship between Netanyahu and Biden, shaped over decades, has been a key factor in the dynamics of US-Israel diplomacy. Though Biden has long been a staunch supporter of Israel, critics argue that his unyielding support has become a liability. As Gaza’s death toll rises, protesters in the US, many of them Democrats, have taken to the streets, denouncing Biden’s policies and accusing him of facilitating war crimes.

Rashid Khalidi, Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University, believes Biden’s diplomacy is rooted in an outdated view of the region, one that fails to account for the decades of Palestinian suffering under occupation. “I think that Biden is stuck in a much longer-term time warp. He just cannot see things such as… 57 years of occupation, the slaughter in Gaza, except through an Israeli lens,” Khalidi says.

As the conflict drags on, Biden faces increasing pressure to shift his approach, both from within his own party and from a new generation of Americans who view the Gaza conflict through the lens of social media, witnessing the devastation firsthand. Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s successor as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming election, represents a break from this generational mindset, though she, like her Republican rival Donald Trump, has yet to outline any concrete plans for ending the conflict. How the US election may influence the course of the Israel-Gaza war remains to be seen.

Research Links ‘Forever Chemicals’ to Disrupted Sleep in Young Adults

New research reveals that exposure to certain “forever chemicals” may be disrupting the sleep quality of young adults, contributing to not only tiredness but also potential health risks. A study from the University of Southern California, recently published in *Environmental Advances*, found that individuals with elevated levels of four specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood experienced poorer sleep quality.

PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the body and environment, may interfere with the function of a key gene involved in producing the hormone cortisol. Cortisol plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and wakefulness patterns, and disruptions to this hormone can affect sleep, the study authors noted.

“Because the body needs sleep every day, if PFAS might be interfering with your sleep, that may affect you more immediately than other chronic health issues,” said Shiwen (Sherlock) Li, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, in a statement.

There are thousands of types of PFAS, some of which are linked to illnesses like kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid disease. These chemicals are commonly found in firefighting foams, industrial waste, household products, cosmetics, and waterproof apparel.

Building upon previous knowledge that PFAS can disrupt hormones and the immune system, the USC researchers collected blood samples and sleep data from 144 participants aged 19 to 24. These young adults were part of the USC Children’s Health Study, a long-term research project studying the effects of pollutants on children.

The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved data collection from 136 participants between 2014 and 2018. The second phase, which took place between 2020 and 2022, reassessed 76 of these participants, while also including an additional eight individuals.

The researchers measured blood concentrations of seven PFAS compounds: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFHpS, PFPeS, PFNA, and PFDA. They then assessed the participants’ sleep duration based on self-reports and used validated tools to track sleep disturbances.

Of these seven chemicals, four—PFDA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFOS—were significantly associated with poor sleep quality or shorter sleep duration, according to the findings.

Even though PFOA and PFOS are considered “legacy PFAS” and have largely been phased out of production, they remain widely present in the environment.

“It could be a matter of cumulative exposure over time,” Li explained. “What we measured in the blood is likely driven by exposure since birth, or even prenatal exposures.”

The study found that individuals with higher blood levels of PFDA, PFOA, and PFHxS had notably shorter sleep duration. Specifically, those with the highest levels of these compounds slept an average of 80 minutes less each night compared to those with the lowest levels.

Meanwhile, PFOS was linked to increased sleep disturbances and sleep-related impairments. Affected participants reported difficulty falling or staying asleep, trouble waking up, and feeling tired during the day.

The research team delved deeper to understand why these chemicals might be impacting sleep quality. They examined potential connections between PFAS exposure and genes associated with sleep disorders by utilizing toxicology databases that map relationships between chemicals, diseases, and changes in gene expression.

They identified more than 600 possible candidate genes and narrowed down their focus to seven that appeared to be activated by PFAS exposure and were also associated with sleep regulation.

One of the genes, HSD11B1, is involved in producing cortisol. The hormone plays an essential role in controlling sleep and wakefulness rhythms. Disruptions to the expression of the protein encoded by this gene could lead to altered cortisol levels, which, in turn, could affect sleep, according to the study.

“If the expression of the protein encoded by HSD11B1 is disrupted, that means that cortisol levels could also be disrupted,” Li said. “That, in turn, affects sleep.”

Another gene of interest was cathepsin B, which produces enzymes that are precursors to amyloid beta proteins. These proteins are commonly found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. High levels of cathepsin B have previously been linked to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, which itself has been associated with sleep deficits, the researchers explained.

The findings are significant because they suggest that PFAS exposure may contribute to broader health consequences through its impact on sleep. The team plans to continue exploring the effects of forever chemicals on children’s sleep as part of a larger National Institutes of Health initiative.

“Sleep quality is an issue that affects almost everybody, so the impact of PFAS on sleep may have policy implications,” Li added.

This research underscores the potential public health concern related to PFAS exposure and its effects on sleep, especially in young adults. As these chemicals continue to persist in the environment, the findings highlight the need for further studies and possibly regulatory changes to address the presence of PFAS in everyday products.

Indian-American Covid Czar Jay Varma’s Reputation Shattered After Boasts of Hosting Secret Sex Party During Lockdown

Jay Varma, an Indian-American doctor who played a crucial role in guiding New York City through the Covid-19 pandemic, has seen his reputation plummet after boasting about hosting a sex party during the city’s lockdown. Varma, once hailed as the “Covid Czar,” became infamous after a video surfaced in which he bragged about attending a sex party with his wife while the city was under his guidance, enforcing strict lockdown measures.

The damning revelation came when Varma was secretly recorded by a woman working for a conservative podcaster. In the recording, Varma is heard discussing attending a sex party with his wife, also a doctor, at a hotel. He also mentioned being part of a 200-person underground party at a Wall Street bank building, all while the city was under his directives to socially distance and avoid large gatherings.

In the same video, Varma admitted to using an illegal psychedelic drug known as MDMA, commonly referred to as ecstasy. The use of this drug can lead to a prison sentence for those caught in possession of it. His admission of drug use, alongside the sex party revelations, has sparked widespread outrage among politicians and citizens alike, particularly after the videos were made public earlier this month by podcaster Steven Crowder.

This turn of events starkly contrasts Varma’s previous image as a public health leader. During the height of the pandemic, he regularly appeared on television alongside then-Mayor Bill de Blasio to offer updates on the pandemic and advise New Yorkers on measures to curb the virus’s spread. However, the recent scandal has cost him his post-pandemic role as the chief medical officer and executive vice president of a pharmaceutical company, from which he was recently fired.

The media, political figures, and activists have harshly criticized Varma for his actions. His downfall has been met with particular satisfaction by those who opposed the city’s Covid policies, especially the mandatory vaccination programs. These mandates faced opposition from both the far-right and the left, and Varma has now become a prime target for critics of the vaccine and mask mandates—similar to the way Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal Covid czar, has been attacked by pandemic skeptics.

A group of about 100 city workers who lost their jobs for refusing to comply with the city’s vaccination mandate held a protest outside City Hall in response to the scandal. Inside, Republican councilwoman Joann Ariola accused Varma of perjury, claiming that his support for mandatory vaccinations, expressed in legal affidavits, was now in question.

While Varma has not denied the core facts presented in the video, he did release a statement attempting to explain his behavior. “I take responsibility for not using the best judgment at the time,” his statement read, implying that the footage was taken out of context and spliced together to misrepresent the situation. Nevertheless, the damage to his public image appears irreversible.

Steven Crowder, the conservative podcaster who released the video, was initially attempting to discredit Varma over his Covid policies, particularly those surrounding vaccine and mask mandates, as well as the decision to keep schools closed. However, the undercover reporter working for Crowder stumbled upon Varma’s shocking personal revelations, adding a whole new layer to the controversy.

In the video, Varma brazenly admits, “I did all this deviant, sexual stuff while I was on TV (as city health official) and people were like, ‘Aren’t you afraid? Aren’t you embarrassed?’ And I was like, no, I really like being my authentic self.” The footage captures Varma dropping various salacious details, such as, “Sometimes it isn’t so much about, like, penetrative sexual stuff,” and “being naked with friends.”

Varma had once been considered a hero of the pandemic. In April 2020, when New York City was struggling to cope with the virus, Varma, an epidemiologist with an international reputation, was brought in to assist. A graduate of Harvard University, he had previously worked for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and had built a solid reputation as an expert in managing epidemics worldwide. Varma had been posted to various global hotspots, including China, Thailand, and Ethiopia, which added to his credibility during the crisis.

Alongside another Indian-American doctor, Dave Chokshi, who was appointed the city’s health commissioner, Varma was credited with helping the city navigate the pandemic. The two were seen as essential figures in New York’s response after the previous health commissioner was fired. Notably, Chokshi has remained unscathed by any scandal, and his successor, another Indian-American, Ashwin Vasan, has also avoided any controversy. Vasan recently announced his resignation, although his departure appears to be unrelated to Varma’s scandal or any other significant issue.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 6.7 million New Yorkers have contracted Covid-19, and the virus has claimed the lives of 77,423 residents. Despite the enormous toll of the pandemic, the scandal surrounding Varma has shifted the focus from his work as a public health official to his questionable personal behavior.

It is worth noting that while the mainstream U.S. media typically refrains from using secret recordings, they are frequently employed by activist journalists, even against the mainstream media itself. In cases like Varma’s, a common tactic is for an undercover reporter to gain the target’s trust by playing to their ego, as happened with Varma.

Varma’s situation has drawn comparisons to other high-profile figures who have been caught flouting their own pandemic restrictions. For instance, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced backlash after it was revealed he attended a birthday party at his official residence during the lockdown. Similarly, California Governor Gavin Newsom was criticized for attending a dinner party at a high-end restaurant while urging residents to follow strict lockdown rules.

The scandal surrounding Varma highlights the risks public figures face when their private actions contradict the very policies they champion. While Varma’s medical expertise helped guide New York City through one of its darkest periods, his personal choices have led to a dramatic fall from grace, leaving his once-stellar reputation in tatters.

Surge in Whooping Cough Cases, New Flu Vaccine, and the Alcohol-Cancer Link: Key Health Updates

The AMA Update covers a wide range of health-related topics that affect physicians, residents, medical students, and patients. These topics span issues like COVID-19, burnout, vaccines, and more, with insights from experts in healthcare, from private practice leaders to public health officials.

Some pressing questions recently discussed include the effectiveness of the whooping cough vaccine, the possible link between alcohol and cancer, the name of the new flu vaccine, and what a challenge study for vaccine development entails.

In a recent AMA Update, Todd Unger, AMA’s Chief Experience Officer, discussed some of these crucial health issues with Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, the Vice President of Science, Medicine, and Public Health at the AMA. Garcia provided detailed insights on the recent surge in whooping cough cases, the approval of a new flu vaccine, and the growing body of research connecting alcohol to cancer.

The Surge in Whooping Cough Cases

Unger started by addressing the topic of whooping cough, or pertussis, for the first time this year. Garcia noted that cases of whooping cough are on the rise. “The CDC reported on Friday that, according to preliminary data, cases of pertussis or whooping cough have more than quadrupled what they were at this point last year, with more than 14,000 infections to date. This is the highest number of whooping cough infections we’ve seen since 2014,” she stated.

One key concern is that the increase in cases shows no sign of slowing down. Whooping cough cases had significantly declined during the pandemic, likely due to COVID-19 mitigation measures. However, before the pandemic, pertussis cases had been on an upward trend.

Why Pertussis is Dangerous

Pertussis is a respiratory illness caused by bacteria that leads to severe, painful coughing fits. The illness gets its common name, whooping cough, because of the “whoop” sound patients make while trying to catch their breath after coughing. Garcia explained the severity of the condition, noting that in some cases, the coughing is so intense that it can cause vomiting or even broken ribs.

Although antibiotics can treat pertussis in its early stages, early diagnosis can be tricky because initial symptoms are similar to a common cold, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and low-grade fever. As Garcia pointed out, “By the time that deep cough develops, it’s too late, and the only treatment is comfort care with rest and fluids while the infection runs its course.”

The Importance of Vaccination Against Whooping Cough

Pertussis vaccines provide effective protection against the disease, but immunity wanes over time. Children receive five doses of the DTaP vaccine by age six, with a booster at age 11 to 12, and adults should get boosters every ten years. Pregnant individuals are recommended to get vaccinated between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, which allows antibodies to pass to the newborn, protecting them before they’re eligible for their own vaccines.

Garcia mentioned that researchers are exploring new vaccines that could offer longer-lasting protection and reduce transmission. “On Friday, we saw the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee convene to hear from labs in Canada and the UK, as they presented their models for human challenge trials for pertussis,” she explained. These trials would involve intentionally exposing subjects to the infection, which could help test new vaccines. However, ethical concerns and doubts about the model’s ability to measure protection against severe disease were raised.

New Flu Vaccine Approved for Self-Administration

The conversation then shifted to the flu vaccine, with Unger asking about the latest developments. Garcia shared the news of the FDA’s approval of the first-ever flu vaccine that can be self-administered at home. “The vaccine itself, FluMist, isn’t new. It’s a nasal spray manufactured by AstraZeneca that has been used to protect against the flu in the U.S. for more than 20 years,” Garcia said. What’s new is that adults will now be able to administer the vaccine themselves at home, while children can receive it with the help of a caregiver. However, the self-administered version won’t be available until the next flu season.

When asked about the potential impact on flu vaccination rates, Garcia expressed cautious optimism. “Some physicians welcome more accessible options but don’t expect self-administration to significantly change vaccination rates. That said, Dr. Peter Marks from the FDA said it will provide greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families.”

Despite the ease of access, flu vaccination rates in the U.S. have been declining, with only about half of adults and children receiving the vaccine last season. Garcia emphasized the importance of making vaccination more accessible to counteract this trend.

Alcohol and Cancer: A Growing Concern

Unger next brought up a recent report linking alcohol consumption to cancer, which made several headlines. Garcia explained that the report, released by the American Association for Cancer Research, highlights the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. “This new report says that alcohol may be one of the factors driving the trend of increasing cancer rates among adults under 50,” she said.

The report found that excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of six types of cancer, including head and neck cancers, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. “We know that about 5.4% of cancers in the U.S., or just over one in 20 cancer diagnoses, were attributed to alcohol consumption in 2019,” Garcia noted.

She added that around 40% of cancer cases are associated with modifiable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and diet. Reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising can lower cancer risk.

Confusion Around Alcohol and Heart Health

There’s been confusion in recent years regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart health. For years, moderate alcohol consumption was thought to have protective effects on heart health, but recent studies challenge that belief. Garcia pointed to a large study that followed 135,000 older British adults for more than a decade, which found that moderate drinkers did not experience a reduction in heart disease risk compared to occasional drinkers.

In fact, moderate and light drinkers showed higher rates of cancer deaths. Garcia noted that while many still believe in the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, these potential benefits may not outweigh the cancer risks. “There are many ways to keep your heart healthy, and these potential benefits don’t really outweigh your cancer risks,” Garcia added.

Raising Awareness About the Risks

Addressing what can be done about these rising concerns, Garcia emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns and cancer-specific warning labels on alcohol. Studies show that many people, especially younger women, are unaware of the link between alcohol and cancer. Fewer than one-third of women aged 18 to 25, for example, knew that alcohol increases their risk of breast cancer.

While more research is needed to understand all the factors behind rising cancer rates, especially colorectal cancer, there’s a growing consensus that reducing alcohol consumption is a critical step in cancer prevention. “We need to raise awareness through public messaging campaigns and adding cancer-specific warning labels to alcoholic beverages,” Garcia concluded.

With the flu season approaching and concerns about cancer and whooping cough on the rise, staying informed about these health issues is essential.

“World Heart Day” Celebrated at the National India Hub, Schaumburg, Illinois

The first ever “World Heart Day” was celebrated in Chicagoland at The National India Hub in Schaumburg, Illinois on September 28th, 2024, with a community-involved workshop on Heart Health. The event was inaugurated by the Consul General of Chicago Indian Consulate Honorable Somnath Ghosh, who lauded the efforts of the National India Hub leaders in serving communities. He commended the Founder of the National India Hub, Mr. Harish Kolasani for his dedication to the community service at the Hub and offered full support on behalf of the Chicago Indian Consulate.

Mr. Ghosh applauded the significant Indo-US contributions of the Founder of the National India Hub Community Health and CPR Training Center, Dr. Vemuri S Murthy, a renowned Indo-US expert in the field of Resuscitation, hailed as “Pioneer of Resuscitation Medicine in India” and “Global Champion of Resuscitation”.

The World Heart Day historic event was endorsed by the Chicago Medical Society, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and Indian American Medical Association, Illinois. Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI, the largest ethnic physician organization in the USA, extended the full support of AAPI for the National India Hub Healthcare programs.

The National India Hub with its comprehensive community support services has established recently a state-of-the art “Community Health and CPR Training Center” offering bystander CPR and AED training to members of community and High School Students to promote outcomes in heart emergencies with the guidance of Dr. Vemuri S Murthy.

World Heart Day is an annual event that raises awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and on ways to prevent it. Established in 1999 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), World Heart Day is celebrated on September 29th every year.
The 2024 theme of “Use Heart for Action” is supporting individuals to care for their hearts and empowering them to urge leaders to take cardiovascular health seriously by providing a global platform for action.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death and disability among people of Indian origin. The CVD epidemic in Indians is characterized by a higher relative risk burden, an earlier age of onset, higher case fatality and higher premature deaths.

Heart Attack, Stroke, and Heart Failure result in the deaths of about 20.5 million people annually in the world. Studies have shown that 80% of these deaths are preventable. For decades, researchers have been trying to understand the reason for this increased burden and propensity of CVD among Indians.

According to the Cardiological Society of India (CSI), 36% of deaths in India are due to heart disease. The incidence of heart disease among Indians is 50-400% higher than other ethnic groups. About 50% of heart attacks occur in Indian men under the age of 50 years. 25% occur under 40 years. Indians and Indian diaspora (as South Asian Ethnic group) are more susceptible to heart disease than any other ethnic counterparts. More than 4200 sudden cardiac arrests occur per one lakh of the population in India annually, heart disease being the major contributor. 30-40% of these deaths occur between 35-64 years of age.

In his address, Dr. Vemuri Murthy thanked the Consul General for the ongoing support by the Chicago Indian Consulate to various community programs. Dr. Bharat Barai, the distinguished guest at the event, applauded the National India Hub’s contributions to Indo-US community healthcare programs. The Guest of Honor Mr. Ravi Baichwal, an eminent Emmy-Awardee and ABC News Anchor was recognized on this occasion for “his outstanding contributions to the broadcast journalism and ongoing support to community healthcare programs”. Mr. Baichwal released a video urging all to take care of their heart health seriously.
Link: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/1472ddab968db3a328ed1efcf7ba425f20240928023045/9aee196dda5712641b367400220e327e20240928023110/765bff

Healthy-Heart initiatives involving Indian diaspora in the USA. “Awareness, Early Detection, and Timely Interventions” are the keys to enhancing cardiac health and quality of life. The basics are stopping tobacco use, regular physical activity, healthy diet, maintaining an average weight, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose, adequate sleep, and stress control through meditation/yoga. They should be tailored to the individual needs as advised by their Physicians, Dr. Murthy said.

A community-interactive two-hour workshop involving distinguished speakers Drs.Samir Shah, Meher Medvaram, Radhika Chimata, Gopika SenthilKumar and Deepali Aul on topics such as Cardiac disease among South Asians and Prevention, Heart disease among women and Heart-healthy diet was the highlight of the event. The program also provided EKG screenings and CPR Training for the attendees. Mrs. Smita Shah, the emcee for the program, thanked all the dignitaries and participants who attended the event.

Harvard Medical Student Consumes 720 Eggs in a Month for Cholesterol Study, Sees Surprising Results

In an unconventional self-experiment, Harvard medical student Dr. Nick Norwitz set out to study the effects of consuming a massive quantity of eggs on cholesterol levels. Over the course of a month, Norwitz ate an astounding 720 eggs – averaging 24 eggs per day – to test how such a diet would impact his cholesterol, particularly his LDL (low-density lipoprotein), commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol. Surprisingly, instead of seeing an increase, Norwitz observed that his LDL levels dropped by nearly 20 percent by the end of the month.

Before beginning his egg-heavy experiment, Norwitz hypothesized that consuming 60 dozen eggs would not elevate his LDL cholesterol levels. His normal diet was a mixed, standard American-style one, during which his LDL levels hovered around 90 mg per deciliter. Norwitz had since switched to a ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carb eating style. The primary goal of his experiment was to observe how drastically increasing dietary cholesterol intake would affect his cholesterol markers.

Norwitz detailed his findings in a video on YouTube, explaining that his dietary cholesterol intake skyrocketed during the month. He estimated his total cholesterol intake at around 133,200 milligrams, with his intake of dietary cholesterol increasing more than fivefold. Despite this, Norwitz noted a 2 percent drop in his LDL levels after the first week of consuming 24 eggs a day. By the end of the experiment, his LDL levels had fallen by a total of 18 percent.

For those unfamiliar with cholesterol metrics, LDL cholesterol is often seen as a marker for heart disease risk. However, some studies suggest that the relationship between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels may not be as direct as once believed. For instance, according to Healthline, research has shown that consuming eggs – up to two per day or half a cup – does not appear to raise cholesterol levels in healthy individuals. Furthermore, even individuals with health conditions like diabetes who consume six to twelve eggs per week do not seem to experience adverse effects on their cholesterol levels or heart disease risk factors. Instead, egg consumption is linked to an increase in HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or “good” cholesterol.

Norwitz’s self-study contributes to the ongoing debate about cholesterol and diet, particularly in the context of low-carb and ketogenic diets. “In lean, insulin-sensitive people who go on low carbohydrate diets, especially ketogenic diets, it’s common for LDL levels to rise as part of a lipid triad,” Norwitz explained. The lipid triad consists of elevated LDL cholesterol, elevated HDL cholesterol, and low triglycerides, forming what he called “a metabolic signature of an extreme shift from carb-burning to fat-burning.” This shift is particularly notable in people on ketogenic diets, which prioritize fat as the primary energy source over carbohydrates.

Despite Norwitz’s massive intake of cholesterol over the month, his cholesterol levels defied conventional expectations. In addition to his LDL decrease, Norwitz mentioned that adding carbohydrates back into his diet during the final two weeks led to further dramatic changes. As a “lean, mass hyper-responder,” Norwitz’s body showed extreme sensitivity to his diet. Adding carbs, including fruits like blueberries, bananas, and strawberries, helped lower his LDL further. Although he didn’t fully reverse his metabolic response, Norwitz said the addition of carbs “dominated over the insane amounts of cholesterol I was consuming,” leading to a noticeable shift in his cholesterol markers.

Norwitz consumed around 60 grams of net carbohydrates per day in the final two weeks. This wasn’t enough to fully negate his ketogenic state, but it was sufficient to bring him in and out of ketosis – the metabolic state in which the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. Despite this ebb and flow in ketosis, Norwitz continued to consume high levels of dietary cholesterol. His daily intake of saturated fats reached about 75 grams, which amounts to roughly 100 calories, and he consumed about 5,000 milligrams of dietary cholesterol per day. This is far beyond the American Heart Association’s recommendation that no more than 6 percent of daily calories should come from saturated fat.

The outcome of Norwitz’s extreme experiment raises questions about conventional advice on cholesterol and diet. Typically, people are warned to limit dietary cholesterol and saturated fat to prevent heart disease. However, Norwitz’s experience suggests that the relationship between cholesterol intake and blood cholesterol levels may be more complex, particularly in people following specific diets like keto.

Norwitz acknowledged that his month-long egg diet was “crazy,” but he was motivated by more than curiosity about his own cholesterol. He hoped that his experiment would spark “intellectual provocation” regarding extreme dietary messaging often seen on social media. Referring to his experiment as “legit-bait,” Norwitz admitted that the bizarre nature of his diet was designed to attract attention. By sharing his experience, Norwitz aimed to encourage more researchers to investigate the nuances of metabolic health and cholesterol.

Beyond the eye-catching nature of his experiment, Norwitz emphasized that the results shed light on the importance of context in dietary studies. While some people may be able to handle large amounts of dietary cholesterol without negative consequences, others may not react in the same way. His findings suggest that individual factors, such as body composition and metabolic state, play a significant role in how dietary cholesterol is processed.

Ultimately, Norwitz’s self-experiment is a reminder that dietary science is constantly evolving. What works for one person may not work for another, and extreme dietary changes can lead to unexpected results. While eating 24 eggs a day may not be advisable for most people, Norwitz’s findings contribute to the ongoing dialogue about cholesterol, diet, and health.

Norwitz’s egg-centric experiment serves as an example of how unconventional methods can provoke deeper conversations about nutrition and health. By challenging the assumptions about dietary cholesterol, his experiment may pave the way for further research on how different diets affect metabolic markers. In a field where nutrition advice can often be contradictory, Norwitz’s experiment underscores the need for more nuanced understanding and study of the relationship between diet and cholesterol.

Though Norwitz’s findings are unlikely to result in widespread recommendations to consume 24 eggs a day, his experiment adds another layer of complexity to our understanding of dietary cholesterol and its role in overall health.

Doctors Rally Behind Kamala Harris, Citing Health Concerns for a Second Trump Term

Doctors across the U.S. are increasingly aligning with Democrats, with many backing Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and using social media to warn of the potential dangers of another Trump administration. This shift is part of a broader trend that has seen a political reorientation among medical professionals over the past two decades. While some doctors fear this trend could undermine trust in public health, Harris’ supporters see their involvement in politics as a moral obligation.

“Elections do matter for your health,” said Dr. Suhas Gondi, an internal medicine resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who is actively involved in organizing for Harris. He explained to POLITICO, “It’s hard for me to not be engaged in politics.”

Historically, doctors favored Republican candidates in every election cycle since the 1990s, except for 2008. However, growing concerns about patients’ rights, healthcare policies, and the rise of Donald Trump in 2016 spurred many educated professionals, including doctors, to support the Democratic Party.

Some doctors worry that their colleagues’ growing partisanship might affect patient trust. Conservative patients, in particular, may lose faith in their doctors if they see them as politically biased. This could have serious consequences for public health, leading to lower vaccination rates and missed cancer screenings.

Dr. John Mandrola, a cardiologist from Kentucky, is among those who believe doctors should avoid overt political activism. “What matters in the clinic is that I build a rapport with the patient, learn their problem and preferences, and find a therapy that fits with their preferences,” he wrote on his Substack site. “You can’t do that if they don’t trust you. Or if they view you as a biased partisan.”

Mandrola’s call for doctors to remain apolitical sparked backlash on social media, with many physicians arguing that the stakes are too high to stay silent. They believe advocating for science-based policies and ensuring the freedom to practice medicine is more critical than trying to appease all political factions.

Harris has encouraged physicians to use their trusted status to spread her message. Nearly 1,600 people attended a recent virtual event for Health Care Providers for Harris, where over $100,000 was raised for her campaign.

However, the trust that Harris is counting on has been declining. A July survey showed that trust in doctors and hospitals dropped from over 70 percent at the start of the pandemic to just above 40 percent, with declines across all demographic groups.

Despite this, many doctors who have long advocated for progressive policies appreciate the increased support for their cause. “American medicine has changed profoundly,” said Dr. Ed Weisbart, national board secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program. He believes that doctors are beginning to realize that their responsibility to advocate for their patients extends beyond the exam room and into the political sphere.

Democrats have seized on this shift, appealing to doctors’ sense of responsibility to their patients. California Rep. Raul Ruiz, a physician and Democrat, emphasized this on the Health Care Providers for Harris call. “You put that love for your patient into action by advocating for them day-in and day-out,” Ruiz said. “That is the type of dedication and effort that Kamala Harris will have for the American people.”

The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for many doctors, as the Trump administration’s response left many feeling that public health was being sidelined in favor of political priorities. This sentiment translated into a record amount of individual campaign contributions from doctors in the 2020 election cycle, with nearly $129 million donated to Democrats and $62 million to Republicans, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks political donations.

In 2022, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade further galvanized doctors into political action. The ruling allowed states to limit or ban abortions, causing many healthcare providers to advocate more vocally for Democrats, whom they see as defenders of reproductive rights.

“We need to ensure that Democrats are elected up and down the ballot,” said Dr. Anna Igler, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Wisconsin, during the Harris campaign event. “Our message should be clear: Reproductive rights and access are all on the line. The stakes in this election could not be higher.”

The political battle over gender-affirming care has had a similar effect, with many doctors pushing back against Republican-led states that have restricted such treatments, despite endorsements from major medical organizations.

However, Republicans still have considerable support among physicians, particularly those opposed to abortion and gender-affirming care. Several GOP doctors serve in Congress, including Rep. Greg Murphy, a urologist and co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus. He has warned his colleagues about the dangers of politicizing medicine, saying that doctors “must be careful not to undermine the integrity of our profession by infusing politics into the sacrosanct doctor-patient relationship.”

The Trump campaign has also hit back at doctors supporting Harris, accusing her of being the real threat to public health. Karoline Leavitt, the campaign’s national press secretary, cited Harris’ support for abortion rights and her economic policies, which she claims have driven up healthcare costs for Americans.

Despite the political divide, there is evidence that doctors, like other highly educated professionals, are increasingly aligning with the Democratic Party. A Pew Research Center report from April found that 61 percent of voters with a postgraduate degree now lean Democratic.

Most doctors interviewed by POLITICO agreed that political views should be kept out of the exam room. However, many also feel a responsibility to publicly oppose policies they believe harm their patients.

“Trust is something that creates an enormous responsibility but also lends some political power and power that I’m pleased we’re trying to start using,” said Gondi, the Boston-based resident.

Nevertheless, some doctors caution that engaging in political activism could erode trust in the medical profession. Dr. Mary Braun Bates, an internist from New Hampshire, believes it is better for doctors to keep their political views private. “It’s better for patients if doctors keep their political views to themselves,” she said, adding that her stance on policies such as abortion legislation is “irrelevant for whether or not I can treat heart failure.”

Bates has seen firsthand how patients’ political sensitivities can affect the doctor-patient relationship. After casually mentioning a conversation with the governor of New Hampshire, one patient remarked, “That’s not my governor.” The patient never returned.

Other doctors, like Dr. Adam Cifu, an internist from Chicago, believe there is a middle ground. He thinks it’s reasonable for doctors to speak out on issues where they have specialized knowledge or that directly affect their practices. However, he warns that even these comments could strain the doctor-patient relationship, which he considers his “greatest responsibility.”

Cifu also highlighted how precarious trust in the medical profession has become, saying, “Physicians take for granted, a little bit, the respect that we’re still held in. That’s on shakier and shakier ground.”

This internal debate within the medical community reflects the broader polarization of American society. Even the American Medical Association (AMA), once a conservative bastion, has shifted leftward, calling for peace in Palestine and Israel, decriminalizing drug use, and ending the death penalty.

As the political divide within the medical community grows, doctors must navigate the tension between advocating for their patients and maintaining trust in an increasingly polarized country. As Dr. Luis Seija, chair of the AMA’s Minority Affairs Section, put it: “We are committed to doing what’s right. You’re either with us or you’re not.”

FDA Approves First At-Home Flu Vaccine, But Availability Delayed Until Next Season

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first flu vaccine that can be administered at home, eliminating the need for a healthcare professional to administer it. However, this new optionwon’t be available in time for the current flu season.

FluMist, a nasal spray manufactured by AstraZeneca, has been protecting Americans from influenza since its introduction in 2003. Traditionally, FluMist is available in pharmacies and healthcare settings for individuals between the ages of 2 and 49, provided they have a prescription.

With the FDA’s latest decision, a second option has been added for those eligible to receive FluMist: it can now be administered at home. Adults can self-administer the vaccine, and caregivers can assist children in receiving it.

AstraZeneca plans to make this at-home vaccine available through a third-party online pharmacy. The pharmacy will prescribe and ship the vaccine after reviewing a screening and eligibility assessment. The company expects this option to be ready in time for the start of next year’s flu season.

In a statement, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, praised the development, stating, “Today’s approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration provides a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine, potentially with greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families.”

He continued by emphasizing the importance of vaccination, saying, “Getting vaccinated each year is the best way to prevent influenza, which causes illness in a substantial proportion of the U.S. population every year and may result in serious complications, including hospitalization and death. This approval adds another option for vaccination against influenza disease and demonstrates the FDA’s commitment to advancing public health.”

Influenza remains a significant public health concern in the U.S. During the 2023-24 flu season, the virus caused an estimated 35 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 25,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To combat these numbers, the CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine annually. However, flu vaccination rates have been dropping in recent years. During the last flu season, only about half of eligible adults and children received their annual flu shot.

FluMist offers the only needle-free flu vaccination option in the U.S. Unlike injectable flu vaccines, which use killed viruses or proteins to help the immune system develop defenses against the flu, FluMist uses a live, weakened version of the virus to provide protection. AstraZeneca reports that FluMist is as effective as traditional flu vaccines.

When the FDA first announced last year that it was considering the possibility of approving a self-administered flu vaccine, several physicians welcomed the potential for making vaccines more accessible, although some expressed doubts about whether it would significantly increase vaccination rates.

Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and former White House Covid-19 response coordinator, shared his thoughts at the time. He remarked that while a self-administered flu vaccine would be more accessible, especially if it could eventually be bought directly off pharmacy shelves, rather than through an online pharmacy that acts as a gatekeeper, he wasn’t convinced that it would make a significant impact on vaccination numbers.

Jha acknowledged, however, that the needle-free aspect of FluMist could help overcome vaccine hesitancy among those who have a fear of needles. “As many as 10% to 15% of people may be needle-phobic and hesitant to get vaccines, so increasing ways to access a needle-free version could boost uptake,” he said.

He tempered his expectations, predicting that the impact of a self-administered vaccine option would likely be modest. “I think the impact is going to be modest,” Jha said. However, he added that he hoped this development would increase awareness of flu vaccines, possibly through greater marketing efforts by AstraZeneca or more research into other intranasal vaccines that are easier to obtain.

“I see this as a relatively positive step,” Jha commented, noting that while the change might not revolutionize flu vaccination rates, it could still be a step in the right direction toward making vaccines more accessible and convenient.

Despite this FDA approval being a milestone, the timing of its availability will limit its impact on the current respiratory virus season. With plans to launch the at-home vaccine in time for next year’s flu season, the potential for its influence on vaccination rates remains to be seen. For now, those seeking flu protection will need to rely on existing methods, such as visiting a healthcare provider or pharmacy.

As flu season continues to pose a threat, health authorities urge everyone to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the potentially severe complications of the flu. The CDC, in particular, stresses the importance of vaccination not just for individual health but also for the protection of communities, especially the most vulnerable, such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

FluMist’s needle-free technology offers an alternative for those uncomfortable with traditional injections, and with the added convenience of at-home administration, it is hoped that more people will choose to vaccinate themselves and their families. However, until the new self-administered option becomes widely available, the public must continue relying on the flu vaccines currently available in pharmacies and healthcare settings.

In the meantime, experts will watch closely to see whether this new option can help reverse the decline in flu vaccination rates in the U.S., where millions still fall ill from the flu each year despite the widespread availability of vaccines. For now, the push to increase awareness and accessibility continues, as public health officials emphasize that annual flu vaccination remains the best defense against a virus that continues to affect a significant portion of the population each season.

US Healthcare System Falls Short Despite High Spending

The United States spends more on health care than any other high-income nation, yet Americans face higher rates of illness and premature death while struggling to afford essential medical services, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund. The independent research group’s report, released on Thursday, underscores that despite the high financial investment in health care, Americans have poorer health outcomes compared to their peers in other high-income countries.

In comparison with nine other wealthy nations, the U.S. ranked last overall, marked by lower life expectancy and higher rates of disease and death. This stark reality stands despite the fact that the country outspends all others on health care. Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom emerged as the top three performing countries in the report.

“This report reveals that our health system is continuing to lag far behind other nations when it comes to meeting our citizens’ basic health care needs. The US spends more on health care than any other country, and Americans are sicker, die younger and struggle to afford essential health care. We spend the most and get the least for our investment,” said Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of The Commonwealth Fund, during a news briefing.

Betancourt, a primary care physician, emphasized the personal impact of these system failings. “As a primary care doctor, I see the human toll of these shortcomings in our system on a daily basis. I have patients who need medications they can’t afford. I spend time going back and forth with insurance companies who have denied care I know my patients need, and I see older patients who arrive sicker than they should because they’ve spent the majority of their lives uninsured,” he added.

According to Betancourt, the report provides a valuable “blueprint for health leaders and policymakers on how the US can achieve more equitable, affordable care for all Americans.”

Top Performers and Struggles of US Healthcare

The Commonwealth Fund’s analysis compared the health systems of ten countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries were evaluated across five key areas: access to care, the health care process, administrative efficiency, equity, and health outcomes, using data from the World Health Organization, OECD, Our World in Data, and other international surveys.

The highest-ranking nations in these five areas were Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, with Australia taking the top spot. On the other hand, the U.S. ranked last in multiple domains, including access to care and health outcomes, reflecting significant issues in the system’s ability to provide timely and affordable health services.

The U.S. was highlighted as having the shortest life expectancy and the highest rates of avoidable deaths among the ten nations analyzed. The study also found that the U.S. recorded the most excess deaths related to the Covid-19 pandemic for individuals under the age of 75.

Equity was another area where the U.S. struggled, ranking ninth. This indicates that disparities based on income and background continue to be a major issue in accessing and receiving health care services. The country also ranked ninth in administrative efficiency, with numerous complaints about problems related to insurance approvals and billing processes.

“Administrative requirements can cost time and money for patients and doctors,” noted Reginald Williams II, vice president of international health policy at The Commonwealth Fund. He explained that many countries have simplified their health insurance systems through standardization and regulation. “For example, other countries apply standardized payments to all physicians for services, and do that on a regional basis, so that doctors know what they’ll be paid, and patients know what portion they’ll be responsible for,” he said. This makes their systems “much simpler.”

While the U.S. ranked poorly in several domains, the report did find that the country performed well in the care process domain, indicating that the quality of care delivered in some aspects is high. However, these gains were not enough to counterbalance the overall poor performance in other critical areas.

A Clear Outlier in Health System Performance

The U.S. stood as an outlier in the analysis, with researchers emphasizing that while all countries had areas where they could learn from one another, the gap between the U.S. and the other nations was particularly stark. The other nine countries shared universal health coverage systems, where copayments for services are minimal, which enhances both accessibility and affordability.

“A lot of the lagging performance of the United States’ health care system has to do with access to care and equity of care, both of which are heavily influenced by the availability and quality of insurance,” said Dr. David Blumenthal, former president of The Commonwealth Fund.

Blumenthal highlighted that, despite historic lows, approximately 20 million Americans remain uninsured, around 7-8% of the population. “It also lacks in terms of the ability of lower-income people to get access to basic services,” he said, reflecting the broader issue of access disparity.

Another key issue noted in the report was that despite similar health care spending levels in the other countries studied, the U.S. spends far more but delivers worse results. This inefficiency in spending, alongside the inequities in access, marks the U.S. as unique among its peers.

Improving US Health Care

The report calls for several reforms to improve the state of the U.S. health care system. These include expanding insurance coverage, reducing disparities in care, and simplifying the insurance system to minimize the administrative burden on both patients and providers.

Additionally, researchers argue that the U.S. must invest in addressing the social determinants of health, such as poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse, all of which contribute to poor health outcomes. “It’s important for the United States to invest in interventions outside of health care to address the social drivers of health: poverty, homelessness, hunger, discrimination, gun violence, substance use,” said Williams.

A stronger primary care system could also be key to improving health outcomes in the U.S. In the Netherlands, for instance, primary care physicians are required to offer after-hours coverage, ensuring that patients can access their doctor 24/7. Blumenthal noted that this system could significantly reduce the reliance on emergency rooms for after-hours care in the U.S., which is currently a major contributor to high health care costs and administrative complexity.

Impact of Political Choices on Healthcare

The future direction of U.S. health care is likely to be influenced by the upcoming presidential election, according to Blumenthal. “The American electorate makes choices about which direction to move in, and that is very much an issue in this election,” he said. Policies aimed at expanding insurance coverage could move the country closer to the standards seen in other high-income nations.

A similar report from The Commonwealth Fund last year revealed that the U.S. had the highest rates of avoidable deaths, maternal and infant mortality, while also spending the most on health care.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, who was not involved in the reports, remarked last year, “We’re not getting the best value for our health care dollar.”

Benjamin outlined three areas for improvement: expanding universal access, increasing focus on primary care prevention, and investing in societal support systems. “They spend their money on providing upfront support for their citizens. We spend our money on sick care,” Benjamin said.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI, Honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Presented by Sen. Joe Manchin

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) was honored with the prestigious President’s Lifetime Achievement Award during a solemn ceremony at the Hart Senate Building in Washington DC on September 19, 2024. United States Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia presented the award to Dr. Kathula for his community services, contributions to the country, particularly in the field of healthcare, and his dedication to his patients and the larger society.

Senator Manchin said, “I just want to thank and congratulate Dr. Kathula for all he has done,” while commending Dr. Kathula’s contributions to the country, particularly in the field of healthcare, and his dedication to his patients and the broader community.

According to Elisha Pulivarti, President of the US-India SME Council, “Dr. Kathula has been a tremendous asset to the Indian American community, and he highly deserves this honor”

In his response upon receiving the award, Dr. Kathula said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to receive this award from Senator Joe Manchin. This award truly inspires not only me but the people, who are serving the community and their society at large.”

Dr. Kathula, a 29-year resident of Ohio, has dedicated his career to treating patients and actively supporting various nonprofit organizations including Leukemia Lymphoma Society. He was names Man of the Year of LLS in 2018. Dr. Kathula has served AAPI in various capacities. He was the Regional Director, a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected overwhelmingly by AAPI members as the national Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of AAPI, and has served as the President-Elect of AAPI during the year 2023-34, prior to assuming charge as the President of AAPI in July this year.

Dr. Kathula was the President and founding member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio, President of the Miami Valley Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as the President of the ATMGUSA (Association of Telugu Medical Graduates in USA). He has been actively involved in community service locally, nationally, and internationally for the last two decades. He was awarded ‘Man of the Year – 2018’ by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and “Hind Rattan” in 2010.

Dr. Kathula is organizing AAPI Global Health Summit in New Delhi from October 19-20, 2025 and initiated programs in AAPI such as Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Drive for Indian Americans, and Million Miles of Gratitude to honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans. Under his leadership AAPI is also embarking on Preventive Strategies for Heart Attacks for Indian Americans.

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Senator Joe Manchin, an Independent from West Virginia, presenting the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Satheesh Kathula on September 19, 2024, at the Hart Senate Building in Washington DC. PHOTO: T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, News India Times
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From left, Senator Joe Manchin, Elisha Pulivarti (in the middle) presenting the Gold Medallion to Dr. Satheesh Kathula on September 19, 2024, at the Hart Senate Building in Washington DC. PHOTO: T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, News India Times

Study Reveals Video Games Hinder Children’s Vocabulary Development

Children whose families frequently use screens tend to have weaker vocabulary skills, with video games having the most detrimental effect on brain development, according to a recent study. The research, conducted by scientists from Estonia, underscores the negative influence of screen time on children’s language abilities.

In the study, more than 400 parents were surveyed regarding their own screen habits, their children’s screen use, and the children’s language development. The results, published in *Frontiers in Developmental Psychology*, highlight a clear correlation between high screen use by both parents and children and poorer language skills among the children.

Dr. Tiia Tulviste, the lead researcher from the University of Tartu, Estonia, emphasized the importance of face-to-face verbal interaction between parents and children, particularly during the early years of life. “The research shows that during the first years of life, the most influential factor is everyday dyadic face-to-face parent-child verbal interaction,” said Tulviste. The study involved surveying 421 children between the ages of two and a half and four years old. Parents were asked to estimate how much time family members spent using different types of screen devices daily. In addition, parents were required to complete a questionnaire that assessed their children’s language abilities, including vocabulary and grammar.

The researchers divided both the children and their parents into three groups based on their level of screen use: high, moderate, and low. The results showed that parents who spent a lot of time using screens had children who mirrored this behavior, indicating a strong influence of parental screen habits on children’s screen usage. Those children who used screens more frequently had lower scores in both grammar and vocabulary compared to those with less screen exposure.

One key takeaway from the study is that no form of screen time appeared to have a positive effect on children’s language skills. This was the case across the board, whether the screen time was spent on video games, watching videos, or any other screen-based activity.

However, Tulviste did point out that some types of screen use, such as reading ebooks or engaging in educational games, could provide valuable learning opportunities, particularly for older children. These activities, while not necessarily contributing to better language skills in younger children, may offer some potential for language development in later years. Still, the overall finding was clear: excessive screen time, especially in early childhood, is linked to weaker language abilities.

The most significant negative impact on children’s vocabulary development was found to come from video games. This was true regardless of whether it was the parents or the children themselves who were playing the games. “Using screens for video games had a notable negative effect on children’s language skills,” said Tulviste. This finding suggests that video gaming, in particular, might be a screen-based activity that warrants concern among parents and educators.

These findings contribute to the growing body of research that highlights the importance of limiting screen time for young children, particularly when it comes to activities that do not engage them in direct language-based interaction. Excessive screen time, especially in the form of video games, may hinder children’s opportunities for language learning during a critical period in their brain development.

Parents, researchers, and educators alike have been concerned for some time about the potential effects of rising screen use among children. With more children having access to devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles, questions about how these technologies impact brain development have become more pressing. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between screen time and language skills, a vital aspect of children’s cognitive development.

Although video games have often been marketed as a form of entertainment or even educational tool, this research underscores that they may not be beneficial for young children when it comes to language acquisition. Games, even those intended to be educational, often lack the direct interaction and rich language exposure needed for strong vocabulary development.

Moreover, the study raises broader questions about the role of screen-based activities in children’s overall learning and development. While there is growing awareness of the potential downsides of excessive screen use, especially in terms of language and social skills, many parents and educators continue to struggle with balancing technology’s role in children’s lives.

The screen habits of parents were also found to be highly influential in determining their children’s screen usage. In households where parents spent a significant amount of time on screens, children were more likely to do the same. This reinforces the idea that children’s screen habits are often modeled on the behavior of the adults around them.

The importance of face-to-face verbal interaction cannot be overstated, particularly during early childhood. Language development during this critical period is highly dependent on social interaction, including listening to and engaging in conversations with caregivers. These interactions provide children with the vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills necessary for later success in school and life.

While educational content on screens, such as ebooks or language-learning apps, may have some positive effects, they cannot replace the value of human interaction. This is why experts recommend that screen time, particularly for young children, be limited, and that parents focus instead on spending time talking, reading, and playing with their children.

Tulviste’s research contributes to a growing understanding of the potential risks associated with excessive screen time during early childhood. Her findings highlight the importance of parents being mindful of their own screen use, as well as their children’s, in order to support healthy language development.

This study serves as a reminder that while technology is a powerful tool, it is essential to manage its use carefully, particularly for young children. The early years of life are a critical period for brain development, and parents can play a crucial role in fostering their children’s language skills by prioritizing face-to-face interaction over screen-based activities.

The World Health Organization Admits Chinese Laboratory Origin of COVID “Cannot Be Ruled Out”

None other than WHO Secretary General Tedros, widely criticized during the pandemic for protecting China, now admits the hypothesis cannot be excluded.

Massimo Introvigne (ZENIT News – Bitter Winter / Rome, 09.12.2024).- On September 4, with the support of the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), the World Health Organization (WHO) published a global framework to help Member States comprehensively investigate the origins of new and re-emerging pathogens. During the press conference introducing the new document, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated that had the new protocol been in place when COVID-19 erupted, it might have helped understanding where it originated from. However, he also implied that the protocol can only work if Member States cooperates, and noted this was not and is not the case with China for COVID-19. Tedros, an Ethiopian who was elected with the support of China and was accused of trying to protect Chinese interests during the pandemic, said: “We still don’t know how the COVID-19 pandemic began, and unfortunately, the work to understand its origins remains unfinished… As I have said many times, including to senior Chinese leaders, China’s cooperation is absolutely critical to that process. That includes information on the Huanan Seafood Market, the earliest known and suspected cases of COVID-19, and the work done at laboratories in Wuhan. Without this information, none of us are able to rule any hypothesis out. Until or unless China shares this data, the origins of COVID-19 will largely remain unknown.” Let me make it clear: Tedros “did not” say that the hypothesis that the “work done at laboratories in Wuhan” was at the origins of COVID-19 is confirmed. He said that the hypothesis, like others, cannot be “ruled out.” The reason it cannot be ruled out is China’s lack of transparency and unwillingness to share crucial information. It seems that these fellow travelers of Chinese propaganda that continue to proclaim that the Chinese laboratory hypothesis is a conspiracy theory that has been definitely “ruled out” do not have the support of the WHO. Curiously, these fellow travelers include critics of the “cults” connected with the notorious European anti-cult federation FECRIS. The reason they support Chinese propaganda on COVID is that FECRIS has worked together with China in fighting groups stigmatized as “cults.” After all, you try to protect your friends just as your friends may support you in several ways. Anti-cultists also use the argument that anybody regarding the laboratory origin thesis as a possibility (not a certainty) is dabbling in paranoid conspiracy theories to attack “Bitter Winter.” Now, Tedros’ public statement give them the lie and confirms that on this subject, like on many others, they may be occasionally funny but are not bright.

Study Links Insulin Resistance to Early Death in Women and 31 Other Diseases

Insulin resistance, a condition previously linked to numerous health issues, has now been associated with an increased risk of early death in women, as well as 31 different diseases, according to a new study. While the precise causes of insulin resistance remain unclear, experts believe that factors such as excessive weight and lack of physical activity play a significant role.

The study was led by Jing Wu and colleagues from the Department of Endocrinology at Shandong Provincial Hospital in China, who sought to investigate the wider impacts of insulin resistance. To do this, they turned to the UK Biobank, a large-scale health resource containing genetic, medical, and lifestyle data from over 500,000 individuals in the UK. This data provided a broad base for understanding how insulin resistance affects overall health.

One of the key elements used to measure insulin resistance in the study was the TyG index, which is based on participants’ blood sugar and fat levels, including cholesterol. The index offers a reliable way to estimate insulin resistance levels. According to the findings, the TyG index scores among participants ranged from 5.87 to 12.46 units, with an average score of 8.71 units.

The researchers observed a notable pattern: participants with higher TyG index scores tended to be men, older, less physically active, smokers, and more likely to be living with obesity. This group, with higher levels of insulin resistance at the start of the study, was linked to more adverse health outcomes. The findings were published in the journal *Diabetologia*.

By monitoring the health of participants over a median follow-up period of 13 years, the researchers discovered that insulin resistance was linked to a heightened risk of developing 31 different diseases. Of these, insulin resistance was directly associated with an increased likelihood of developing 26 conditions, including sleep disorders, bacterial infections, and pancreatitis. The researchers also found that the greater the degree of insulin resistance, the higher the risk of these diseases.

In terms of gender-specific findings, the study revealed a significant association between insulin resistance and all-cause mortality in women. The data showed that for every one-unit increase in insulin resistance, women had an 11% higher risk of dying during the study period. This was a striking finding, as no such link was observed for men.

The research also highlighted some of the specific diseases related to insulin resistance. For example, every one-unit increase in insulin resistance was associated with an 18% higher risk of developing sleep disorders. Additionally, the risk of bacterial infections rose by 8%, and the likelihood of developing pancreatitis increased by a significant 31% with each unit increase in insulin resistance.

One of the most important aspects of this study is its potential implications for public health. Insulin resistance, which was previously understood primarily as a precursor to conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, may have far-reaching effects on a person’s overall health. The study’s findings suggest that individuals with insulin resistance are more likely to develop a wide range of conditions, many of which may not have been previously linked to insulin dysfunction.

“We have shown that by assessing the degree of insulin resistance, it is possible to identify individuals who are at risk of developing obesity, hypertension, heart disease, gout, sciatica, and some other diseases,” said Jing Wu, the lead researcher. This insight could prove crucial for early detection and intervention, potentially improving outcomes for individuals with high insulin resistance.

The connection between insulin resistance and early death in women also raises important questions about why this link exists for women but not for men. While the study did not delve into the reasons for this gender difference, it opens the door for further research to explore the biological or lifestyle factors that may influence this disparity.

The study’s findings also emphasize the importance of addressing insulin resistance through lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. Although the study did not specifically investigate interventions for reducing insulin resistance, it reinforces the idea that these factors could play a critical role in mitigating the risks associated with insulin resistance.

This new research highlights the extensive impact of insulin resistance on health, linking it not only to a wide range of diseases but also to an increased risk of early death in women. The findings underline the importance of monitoring insulin resistance as part of routine health assessments and suggest that greater attention should be paid to the condition, particularly in women, to prevent or delay the onset of related health issues. With further research and a focus on lifestyle interventions, there may be opportunities to reduce the burden of insulin resistance and improve health outcomes for many individuals.

Frequent Mobile Phone Use Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

A recent study has revealed a significant link between frequent mobile phone use and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in individuals who are smokers or have diabetes. This risk is compounded by additional factors such as poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism, according to research findings published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology on Wednesday.

The researchers emphasized that modern-day mobile phone use is a widespread habit, and its impact on public health requires careful consideration. “Mobile phone use is a ubiquitous exposure in modern society, so exploring its impact on health has significant public health value. However, whether mobile phone use is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases remains uncertain,” stated Dr. Yanjun Zhang, a researcher from the Division of Nephrology at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China.

The study utilized data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale prospective cohort study that included 444,027 participants. These individuals self-reported their mobile phone usage between 2006 and 2010 and had no prior history of cardiovascular diseases at the start of the study. Researchers defined regular mobile phone use as making or receiving at least one call per week. The goal of the study was to assess the potential connection between mobile phone usage and cardiovascular issues, which included acute stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.

Over the median follow-up period of 12.3 years, researchers tracked hospital admissions and mortality data to assess the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to mobile phone use, the study examined lifestyle factors such as sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism, all of which could influence heart health.

The findings revealed a noteworthy association between frequent mobile phone use and a higher risk of developing cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, individuals who reported using their phones regularly showed an increased likelihood of suffering from heart-related problems. However, this risk was found to be even higher in people who smoked or had diabetes.

The study suggested that the chronic exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones might play a role in this increased cardiovascular risk. “We found that sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism may be potential mechanisms of the association between mobile phone use and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, chronic exposure to radiation emitted from mobile phones could lead to oxidative stress and inflammatory response,” explained Xianhui Qin, a researcher also from Nanfang Hospital.

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to cellular damage. Prolonged exposure to mobile phone radiation has been proposed as a potential trigger for this imbalance, which in turn may contribute to cardiovascular problems. The inflammatory response caused by this stress could further exacerbate conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.

The study also explored the impact of psychological and behavioral factors. Poor sleep quality, for instance, is known to negatively affect heart health by increasing the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes—factors that are already established contributors to cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that individuals with disrupted sleep patterns were more likely to be frequent mobile phone users, suggesting a possible link between poor sleep and increased phone usage. Additionally, mobile phone usage, particularly late at night, could contribute to sleep disturbances, further heightening the risk of heart-related complications.

Psychological distress was another significant factor examined in the study. People experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety often engage in behaviors that may harm their heart health, such as smoking, overeating, or physical inactivity. The researchers noted that individuals who frequently use their phones for social media or communication may be more prone to psychological distress due to the constant connectivity and pressure to respond to messages or updates.

Neuroticism, a personality trait characterized by emotional instability and high levels of anxiety, was also found to be associated with frequent mobile phone use. The study highlighted that neurotic individuals might use their phones more often as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional distress. However, this constant phone use could inadvertently increase their risk of cardiovascular diseases by exacerbating their underlying psychological conditions.

The combination of these psychological and behavioral factors with chronic mobile phone use could create a dangerous cycle, increasing the overall risk of cardiovascular diseases. For individuals who already have pre-existing risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes, the situation becomes even more concerning.

Smoking, in particular, is a well-known contributor to cardiovascular disease, and the study found that smokers who regularly used mobile phones were at an even higher risk. Smoking causes damage to blood vessels, increases the risk of blood clots, and raises blood pressure, all of which contribute to heart disease. When combined with the potential oxidative stress from mobile phone radiation, the risk of heart problems becomes significantly amplified.

Diabetes was also identified as a risk-enhancing factor. People with diabetes are already at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases due to complications such as high blood sugar levels and damage to blood vessels. The study found that frequent mobile phone users with diabetes had a higher likelihood of developing heart-related conditions compared to non-users.

The research team emphasized the need for further studies to fully understand the relationship between mobile phone use and cardiovascular disease risk. While the current study provides valuable insights, it does not conclusively prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Rather, it highlights the importance of considering multiple factors, such as lifestyle, psychological well-being, and pre-existing health conditions, when assessing cardiovascular health.

Future studies could focus on examining the long-term effects of mobile phone radiation exposure in greater detail, particularly with advancements in mobile technology and the increasing use of smartphones. Additionally, more research is needed to understand how sleep patterns, stress levels, and personality traits like neuroticism may interact with mobile phone use to influence heart health.

As mobile phone use continues to grow globally, public health officials and researchers must consider the potential implications for cardiovascular health. Educating individuals on the importance of moderating phone use, improving sleep quality, managing stress, and addressing smoking and diabetes as key health priorities could help reduce the risk of heart disease.

This study serves as an important step in exploring the potential health risks associated with mobile phone use. The findings suggest that regular mobile phone use, particularly among smokers and people with diabetes, may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. While more research is needed to provide definitive evidence, the study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors—such as poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism—that may contribute to the connection between mobile phone use and heart health.

AAPI’s Global Health Summit 2024Planned tobe Held in New Delhi, India

GHS will focus on: Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and the Integration of Technology into Healthcare

(Chicago, IL: September 3rd, 2024) The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as they are increasingly recognized and hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the United States. Their hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills have carved out an enviable niche in the American medical community.

Not satisfied with their professional growth and the service they provide to their patients around the world, they are at the forefront, sharing their knowledge and expertise with others, especially those physicians and leaders in the medical field from India.

The 18th edition of the annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) 2024, organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in New Delhi India from October 18-20, 2024, offers a unique forum for them to come together, share their knowledge and expertise in their respective medical fields with their fellow physicians from around the world, and to learn from one another.

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“GHS 2024 will focus on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and Integration of Technology in Healthcare,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI. “AAPI has been engaged in harnessing the power of Indian Diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost-effective healthcare and preventable solutions to India. This international health care summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007.”

Honorable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has been invited to deliver the Keynote Address at the Inaugural Ceremony on October 19th. Honorable Health Minister of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda is expected to be the Chief Guest at the GHS and deliver an address on national prevention strategies.

For the first time ever, visits to the new Parliament House in New Delhi, visits to the offices and meetings with the Prime Minister and Health Minister as well as a visit to the Rashtra Pati Bhavan are also planned for the AAPI delegates, who will be part of this historic event in the nation’s Capital.

GHS will have the highest caliber of internationally acclaimed faculty and will develop a very robust agenda in collaboration with leading experts from India. CME sessions with academicians from India and the USwill offer unique opportunities for local medical staff and healthcare professionals to advance leanings and provide the best possible care for the people of India.

The scientific program and workshops of GHS are being developed by leading experts with contributions by the Scientific Advisory Board and the International Scientific Committee. The workshops will be led by world famous physicians on topics relevant to the needs of the time.

According to Dr. Sunil Kaza, Chairman of AAPI’s Borad of Trustees, “AAPI will work collaboratively with leading academic medical colleges in New Delhi benefitingMedical Students, Residents, Fellows and Junior Doctors.With the objective of enabling people in India to access high quality, affordable, and cost-effective world class health services, the Summit being organized in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Ministry of Health, and several prominent Medical Colleges in India, will have participation from some of the world’s most well-known physicians and industry leaders.”

Describing the message and theme for the Summit, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President-Elect of AAPI says, “AAPI has a mandate to help disseminate our medical knowledge, our expertise and technological advances to the rest of the world, and to India in particular. Headquartered in Chicago, AAPI has come to be recognized as a strong voice in the healthcare legislation and policy arena.”

“With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision of GHS2024, AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare in India,” Dr. Kathula says. “In our quest to fulfill the mission of AAPI, we are proud to share best practice and experiences from leading experts in the world and develop actionable plans for launching demonstration projects that enable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all people. To help accomplish this mission, join us at the GHS 2024 in New Delhi.” For more information on Global Health Summit 2024, please visit https://aapisummit.org

Need For Legislation To Protect Healthcare Workers’ Rights By Dr. Jaya Daptardar

The brutal and inhumane rape and murder of a doctor on duty in Kolkata has shaken the world. Doctors in India and around the world have protested and urged various government officials in India to intervene and take immediate action to provide justice to the victim, as well as to ensure the safety and security of doctors in government hospitals. They have expressed disappointment that the matter was not immediately and properly handled by local police, CBI, and local government authorities, or failing that, the central government.

The public protests should not be necessary to provide justice for such criminal acts and now everyone is calling for immediate action to prevent similar incidents from happening again. People are concerned about the lack of progress in the investigation and the need for major justice system reform, including strict workplace safety policies and protocols.

A representation submitted to the Prime Minister, the President of India, and the Chief Justice of India by the doctor’s communities has emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety and security of doctors, especially women in healthcare.

They have highlighted the increasing incidents of violence, including sexual violence, against medical professionals, which have created an environment of fear and insecurity among doctors. The representation also points out the need for labor law reforms, particularly regarding safe and human work hours. It mentions that the doctor who was killed was working a 36-hour shift, which is against the rules and norms, and questions whether there are laws in place to address bullying and harassment in the workplace.

The various medical associations have requested authorities to put in place measures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and workplace safety and to penalize severely those who commit such crimes. They are also calling for the protection of healthcare workers’ rights through appropriate legislation to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The horrific and inhumane rape and murder of a doctor on duty in Kolkata has sent shockwaves across the world.

Doctors in India and around the globe have voiced their concerns and urged various government officials to take immediate action to deliver justice for the victim and to ensure the safety and security of healthcare workers in government hospitals. They have expressed dismay that local authorities did not promptly address the matter and have emphasized the need for urgent interventions to prevent such tragedies from recurring. There is a call for major justice system reforms, particularly concerning workplace safety protocols and policies.

The associations have urged authorities to implement measures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and workplace safety and to impose severe penalties on those who commit such crimes. They are also advocating for legislation to protect healthcare workers’ rights and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

U.S. Surgeon General Warns Parenting Can Harm Mental Health, Calls for Greater Support for Parents

The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued a warning on Wednesday about the mental health impacts of parenting, highlighting that the role of being a parent can be both immensely rewarding and incredibly challenging. Dr. Murthy, who is a father himself, shared in a recent advisory that while he feels fortunate to experience the joys of parenthood, it remains the “toughest and most rewarding” job he has ever undertaken.

“The stresses parents and caregivers have today are being passed to children in direct and indirect ways, impacting families and communities across America,” Murthy stated in his advisory. He pointed out that many parents are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures they face, with a significant percentage admitting to feeling overburdened by stress. According to the advisory, 41 percent of parents confess to being so stressed on most days that they find it difficult to function, while 48 percent describe their stress levels as completely overwhelming.

Dr. Murthy emphasized that today’s parents are navigating a different set of challenges than those faced by previous generations. These challenges include the pervasive influence of social media, the rising youth mental health crisis, and what Murthy referred to as the “epidemic of loneliness,” which affects not only younger Americans but their parents as well. The surgeon general stressed that these modern-day challenges are having a profound impact on the mental well-being of both parents and children, contributing to a cycle of stress and anxiety within families.

To help alleviate these stresses, Murthy called for policy changes and the implementation of community programs designed to provide greater support to parents. Such measures could include making child care more affordable and ensuring that parents have the flexibility to take time off work to care for their sick children without financial strain. These changes, Murthy suggested, would help parents manage the various pressures they face, thereby improving the overall well-being of families.

Earlier in the year, Murthy also advocated for regulations requiring social media platforms to include warning labels about the potential mental health risks their content poses to children and young adults. This call to action is part of a broader effort to protect young people from the negative effects of social media, which has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among youth.

“In my conversations with parents and caregivers across America, I have found guilt and shame have become pervasive, often leading them to hide their struggles, which perpetuates a vicious cycle where stress leads to guilt which leads to more stress,” Murthy explained. He noted that this cycle of stress and guilt can prevent parents from seeking the help and support they need, further exacerbating their mental health challenges.

Murthy also called for a shift in cultural norms around parenting to better support moms and dads in coping with the demands of raising children. He suggested that society needs to recognize the significant role that parenting plays in shaping future generations and to place a higher value on the health and well-being of parents.

“Raising children is sacred work. It should matter to all of us,” Murthy said. “And the health and well-being of those who are caring for our children should matter to us as well.”

By raising awareness about the mental health challenges associated with parenting, Dr. Murthy hopes to spark a national conversation about how best to support parents and caregivers. This includes not only policy changes and community programs but also a cultural shift in how society views and values the role of parents. The ultimate goal, according to Murthy, is to create a more supportive environment that recognizes the unique challenges of parenting and provides the resources and support parents need to thrive.

In his advisory, Dr. Murthy highlighted the importance of acknowledging the difficulties faced by parents and caregivers and the need for a more compassionate and supportive approach. He called on policymakers, community leaders, and society as a whole to take action to better support parents and to ensure that they have the tools and resources necessary to raise healthy, happy, and well-adjusted children.

The surgeon general’s advisory serves as a stark reminder of the mental health challenges faced by parents today and the need for a collective effort to address these issues. By recognizing the importance of supporting parents and caregivers, Dr. Murthy hopes to foster a more supportive and understanding environment for families across the United States.

Murthy’s message is clear: Parenting is not just a personal endeavor but a collective responsibility that requires the support and understanding of the entire community. By working together to address the challenges faced by parents and caregivers, society can help ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up in a healthy, nurturing environment.The health and well-being of parents and caregivers, as Murthy emphasized, should be a priority for everyone, as it ultimately affects the future of society as a whole.

WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency Amid Rising Cases and New Deadlier Strain

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to an outbreak that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has since spread to neighboring countries and beyond.

New cases of the virus have now been identified outside of Africa, in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Sweden, and Pakistan. Health authorities are raising alarms as many new cases in Africa involve a recently discovered, more lethal strain of the virus, known as clade 1b, which has also been confirmed in Thailand.

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, including sexual contact. It presents with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, along with pus-filled lesions. While the disease is generally mild, it can be fatal in some cases.

Two main types of mpox are identified by clades, with the current outbreak being attributed to clade 1. This strain seems to spread more easily and has a higher fatality rate compared to the clade 2 strain, which was prevalent in 2022. Clade 1 appears to disproportionately affect young people, with most fatalities occurring among children.

The rise in cases is primarily attributed to a new variant of clade 1, known as clade 1b, which is believed to be the main cause of the recent increase in cases, according to WHO. The organization noted that clade 1b is primarily transmitted from person to person, often through sexual contact. Although first identified in 2024, it likely emerged in the DRC around 2023.

“The outbreak associated with clade Ib in the DRC primarily affects adults and is spreading rapidly, sustained largely, but not exclusively, through transmission linked to sexual contact and amplified in networks associated with commercial sex and sex workers,” the WHO stated on August 19.

Aside from the DRC, clade 1b cases have been reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Thailand. Clade 1 cases have also been found in the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Sweden. Meanwhile, the milder clade 2 has been identified in countries such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

The WHO’s declaration of a “public health emergency of international concern” is its highest level of alert and is aimed at speeding up international cooperation and public health measures to contain the disease.

“It’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when the declaration was made on August 14. He further expressed concern over “the detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond.”

Despite these concerns, Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, emphasized last week that mpox should not be compared to Covid-19. In a statement released on Tuesday, Kluge dismissed parallels with the coronavirus pandemic and reassured that the risk to the general population remains low. “We can, and must, tackle mpox together — across regions and continents,” he stated.

In response to the outbreak, authorities are focusing on increasing vaccine availability, although access remains a significant challenge. The WHO is collaborating with countries and vaccine manufacturers to improve access for the nations most affected.

To date, the U.N. health agency has released $1.45 million in emergency funds and may release more in the near future. It has outlined an immediate funding requirement of $15 million for its response plan.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has partnered with the vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic to deliver vaccines. This partnership aims to provide 2 million doses this year and an additional 10 million doses by the end of 2025. Bavarian Nordic is also supplying vaccines to countries outside Africa and is seeking approval from the European Union’s drug regulator to extend the use of its mpox vaccine to teenagers.

The WHO’s efforts to contain the spread of mpox are focused on surveillance, public awareness, and enhancing the capacity of healthcare systems in affected regions. The agency urges countries to remain vigilant, ensure proper surveillance, and maintain strong collaboration with international health bodies to curb the further spread of the disease.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI Discusses Policy Priorities During a Meeting with Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York

(New York, NY: August 25, 2024) “On behalf of AAPI, I had an opportunity to meet with Deputy Consul General Hon. Varun Jeph to discuss various collaborative initiatives between AAPI and the Government of India,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

Dr. Kathula along with dozens of physicians of Indian origin, who flew in from many parts of the United States to join in and participate at the 78th India’s Independence Day celebrations and the Inda Day Parade in New York City, met with the officials at the Indian Consulate in New York on Sunday, August 18th.

Hon. Jeph and the Indian Consulate in New York tweeted on X after the meeting: “Deputy Consul General Hon. Varun Jeph and AAPI President Dr. Satheesh Kathula met in New York today. Had constructive discussions on the role of Indian physicians in the US in strengthening Indo-US healthcare collaborations and empowering the vibrant Diaspora community. Wished him the best for his tenure as AAPI President.”

Dr. Kathula described the meeting as very productive. While elaborating on the discussions he had with Hon. Jeph, he said, “The discussions highlighted key projects that AAPI will be undertaking in India, including programs focused on the prevention of cancer and heart attacks, as well as widespread CPR training initiatives aimed at improving emergency response capabilities across the country.”

Dr. Kathula pointed to the next edition of the Global Health Summit, planned to be held in New Delhi from October 18-20, 2024. This summit is expected to bring together healthcare professionals and experts from around the world to share knowledge, explore innovative healthcare solutions, and strengthen global health partnerships.

The flagship annual event of AAPI, the Global Healthcare Summit has contributed to ushering in new ways of providing healthcare to India’s 1.4 Billion people, who live in the congested urban centers and in the rural/remote regions of the country. The 18th annual GHS will build on past initiatives and add several new programs, Dr. Kathula added.

Dr. Kathula has served AAPI in various capacities. He was the Regional Director, a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected overwhelmingly by AAPI members as the national Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of AAPI, and has served as the President-Elect of AAPI during the year 2023-34. In his inaugural note, Dr. Kathula assured all AAPI members and all physicians of Indian origin that “I will sincerely work for the betterment of our beloved organization, AAPI.”

New COVID-19 Vaccines Target Evolving Virus Strains, Urged for Vulnerable Populations

New COVID-19 vaccines have been developed to target the KP.2 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reflecting the virus’s ongoing evolution. In June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially directed vaccine manufacturers to focus on the JN.1 variant. However, they later advised shifting focus to the KP.2 strain, considering the virus’s rapid changes.

The updated vaccine has been approved for individuals aged 12 and older. For children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, the vaccine is available under emergency use authorization. The urgency of updating vaccines comes in response to the diminishing immunity seen in the population. Immunity has been waning due to both natural virus exposure and the effects of previous vaccinations wearing off. To combat this, health authorities are encouraging those eligible to receive the latest vaccine version to better guard against currently circulating variants. “Given waning immunity of the population from previous exposure to the virus and from prior vaccination, we strongly encourage those who are eligible to consider receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine to provide better protection against currently circulating variants,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a statement.

The current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the highest viral activity in the western United States. However, almost every state reports “high” or “very high” levels of COVID-19 virus in wastewater. This indicates a significant spread of the virus across the country. Notably, the nationwide viral levels are higher than they were at this time last year, and the increase started earlier in the summer. According to federal wastewater data, viral activity has been on the rise since mid-May, suggesting a steady upward trend in cases.

The vaccine manufacturers are preparing for rapid distribution. Moderna has announced that its updated vaccine is expected to be available in the “coming days.” Pfizer has similarly stated that it will “begin shipping immediately.” The prompt availability of these new vaccines aims to offer an additional protective layer for the American public, especially those most vulnerable to severe infections.

While a large portion of the American population has acquired some immunity through previous vaccinations, natural infections, or both, not all groups have the same level of protection. Older adults and those who are immunocompromised often cannot mount as robust an immune response and thus remain at a heightened risk for severe outcomes if infected. The new vaccines are particularly important for these groups to help mitigate that risk.

Despite the availability of vaccines, there has been a notable gap between supply and uptake. For instance, only about 20 percent of Americans received last year’s updated COVID-19 shot, highlighting a disconnect between vaccine availability and public willingness to get vaccinated. This lower-than-expected uptake poses a challenge for public health officials who are striving to increase vaccination rates, especially among high-risk groups.

In summary, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve, updated vaccines targeting newer strains like KP.2 are crucial for maintaining public health. Health officials emphasize the importance of these vaccines, especially for older and immunocompromised individuals who are at higher risk. With vaccines becoming available soon, there is a renewed push to encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

Epic Systems Unveils New AI Tools to Transform Healthcare at Annual User Meeting

At a packed underground auditorium filled with thousands of healthcare executives this week, Judy Faulkner, the CEO of Epic Systems, made a memorable entrance. Dressed in a full swan costume, complete with feathers, Faulkner delivered her keynote speech at Epic’s annual Users Group Meeting (UGM). While some first-time attendees might have been surprised by her attire, for many seasoned healthcare industry professionals and Epic employees, it was a familiar sight signaling the start of the much-anticipated event. This year, the central theme at Epic’s gathering was clear: the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the experiences of both doctors and patients.

Epic Systems is a prominent healthcare software company whose technology is used by thousands of hospitals and clinics across the United States. The company’s platform houses medical records for over 280 million individuals in the country, although it is common for patient data to be spread across multiple vendors.

A Unique Conference Setting

Each year, Epic’s headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin, becomes a focal point for thousands who come to learn about the company’s latest products and innovations. UGM is one of Epic’s largest annual on-campus events, and on Tuesday, CNBC was there to cover it. The sprawling 1,670-acre campus is adorned with whimsical features, including farm animals, wizard statues, and buildings themed after stories like “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Appropriately, this year’s conference embraced a “storytime” theme. Faulkner, along with other Epic executives, took to the stage dressed as characters inspired by various children’s books.

Throughout the event, there were numerous skits and jingles as executives provided updates on Epic’s major products, including MyChart, an application that allows patients to access their medical records, and Cosmos, a de-identified patient dataset used by clinicians for research.

Focus on Artificial Intelligence

A significant portion of the announcements at the conference revolved around how Epic is incorporating AI into its products. Faulkner revealed that Epic has over 100 AI features in development, although many are still in the early stages. For example, by the end of the year, Epic plans to introduce generative AI that will assist doctors in rewriting message responses, letters, and instructions into simpler language that patients can easily understand. The AI will also help physicians by automatically preparing orders for prescriptions and laboratory tests.

Recognizing that many physicians spend a substantial amount of time on administrative tasks, such as drafting insurance denial appeal letters and reviewing prior authorization requirements, Epic is developing AI tools to streamline these processes. These tools are expected to roll out by the end of the year.

Looking ahead, Epic aims to further enhance its generative AI capabilities. By the end of 2025, the AI will be able to gather relevant test results, medications, and other crucial information needed when responding to patient messages through the MyChart app. Additionally, specialized functions, such as using AI to calculate wound measurements from images, are expected to become available next year.

Epic also announced the forthcoming launch of a new staff scheduling application for physicians and nurses, named “Teamwork.” Furthermore, Faulkner mentioned that Epic is “investigating” the possibility of enabling direct claims submissions through its software, potentially eliminating the need for intermediaries like clearinghouses. If successful, this could revolutionize the way insurance claims are processed across the healthcare industry.

While it remains uncertain if all these features will come to fruition or be widely adopted by health systems, Epic concluded Tuesday’s presentation with a bold demonstration showcasing its vision for the future of healthcare technology.

A Glimpse into the Future

Seth Hain, Epic’s senior vice president of research and development, led the demo, interacting with an AI agent via the MyChart app about his recovery following a fictional wrist surgery. The AI agent asked Hain questions about his pain level and instructed him to use his camera to capture his wrist’s range of motion, allowing the AI to assess his recovery progress. The AI determined that Hain’s wrist extension ranged from 60 to 75 degrees, indicating that his recovery was ahead of schedule compared to data from similar patients in Epic’s Cosmos database.

When Hain inquired about resuming his pickleball activities, the AI advised him to “wait a little longer” before engaging in such activities again.

After the presentation, Hain met with reporters and clarified that the demo was conducted in real-time without any human intervention. However, he acknowledged that the technology is still very new, to the point where it does not even have a name yet. Hain suggested that it could be several years before such AI capabilities are widely available in the medical community. “It is very, very, very early in regards to how and where the community, the broader medical community, will adopt that type of thing, but it’s viable,” he explained.

Epic’s forward-looking approach, demonstrated through their commitment to AI innovation, indicates the potential for significant advancements in healthcare delivery and patient engagement. As the company continues to refine these technologies, the industry will closely watch how Epic’s AI-driven tools and applications evolve and impact daily healthcare practices.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge Biden Administration to Increase Scrutiny on U.S. Clinical Trials Conducted in China

On August 20, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Indian American Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, urged the Biden administration to intensify oversight of U.S. clinical trials being conducted in China. Their concerns center on the potential theft of intellectual property and the risk of forced participation of Uyghurs in these trials.

Representative John Moolenaar, a Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on China, and Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted that U.S. pharmaceutical companies have collaborated with Chinese military-run hospitals to conduct numerous clinical trials over the past decade. These trials have even been conducted in Xinjiang, the region where China’s Uyghur minority resides.

“Given the historical suppression and medical discrimination against ethnic minorities in this region, there are significant ethical concerns around conducting clinical trials in (Xinjiang),” Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi expressed in a letter dated August 19, which was directed to Robert Califf, the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The letter, co-signed by Democratic Representative Anna Eshoo and Republican Representative Neal Dunn, further stated, “These collaborative research activities raise serious concerns that critical intellectual property is at risk of being transferred to the (People’s Liberation Army) or being co-opted under the People’s Republic of China’s National Security Law.”

As of the article’s publication, the FDA had not provided a response to requests for comment.

In response to these concerns, the Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations, labeling claims of intellectual theft as “groundless” and dismissing allegations of genocide in Xinjiang as “sheer falsehood.” The embassy emphasized, “China-US cooperation in health care…is mutually beneficial in essence,” and added that “politicizing and instrumentalizing normal cooperation” was not in anyone’s interest.

This letter reflects a growing unease among U.S. lawmakers about China’s expanding role in the biotechnology industry.

Earlier this year, in April, Representatives Krishnamoorthi and John Moolenaar’s predecessor, Republican Representative Michael Gallagher, urged the Biden administration to add seven Chinese biotechnology companies to a list managed by the U.S. Department of Defense. This list identifies firms that are allegedly collaborating with Beijing’s military.

Additionally, U.S. lawmakers are contemplating legislation that would limit business dealings with certain Chinese biotechnology companies, including WuXi AppTec and BGI.

The letter to the FDA requests answers to a series of questions about these clinical trials by October 1, reflecting the urgency and importance of this matter to the concerned lawmakers.

Mpox Clade I Raises Concerns in Africa, But U.S. Risk Remains Low, Experts Say

As concerns grow about a more severe variant of mpox spreading in Africa, infectious disease experts are cautiously optimistic that this strain may not spread as widely in the United States or cause as severe health impacts. The potential threat to the U.S. from this mpox subtype, known as clade I, could be minimized due to several factors, including immunity from previous vaccination and infection during the 2022 outbreak of a different variant, lack of viral circulation in wild animals, and better healthcare access and living standards.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reinstated mpox as a public health emergency of international concern due to a large outbreak of clade I in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has spread to other African nations. Sweden reported the first case of clade I outside Africa on Thursday.

“It was only a matter of time before we saw this extend beyond the African continent,” said Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University.

On Friday, Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, announced that the agency had raised the risk level of clade I to the general European population from “very low” to “low,” citing the close connections between Europe and Africa. “We must be prepared for more imported clade I cases,” she added.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Friday that no cases of clade I have been reported in the U.S. so far.

Clade I is generally considered more transmissible and severe than clade II, the variant responsible for the global mpox outbreak that peaked in August 2022, which had a death rate of 0.2%. People with weakened immune systems, particularly those with untreated, advanced HIV, have been most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from clade II. The U.S. continues to see low-level transmission of clade II.

Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a leading mpox expert, emphasized the importance of context when comparing how mpox might behave in Western countries versus Africa. “I think we have to be very, very cautious about saying that this is more dangerous,” she said of clade I. “The data on the severity, associated mortality — all of that is scant. There are a lot of questions about whether or not the perceived severity might have more to do with the population that it’s spreading in, their immune system, the route of transmission, the infectious dose.”

On Thursday, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that the antiviral TPOXX did not reduce clade I symptom duration in a DRC clinical trial. However, only 1.7% of participants died, compared to the typical clade I death rate of 3.6% or higher in the DRC. NIH experts credited better medical care provided to study participants for the lower death rate.

Epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, the lead for the CDC’s mpox clade I response, expressed hope that high-quality healthcare in the U.S. could help minimize deaths from the disease. Dr. Dan Barouch, a virologist at Harvard Medical School, acknowledged the possibility of clade I cases in the U.S. but stated, “The absolute risk in the U.S. is currently low, although we need to remain vigilant.”

The CDC first alerted doctors and healthcare providers in December to be on the lookout for clade I, updating the advisory on August 7. When U.S. clinics order testing for potential mpox cases, some testing centers can directly screen for the clade type, while others send samples to the CDC for analysis. All positive results must be reported to the CDC. Additionally, numerous sites across the country monitor wastewater for signs of the virus in local populations.

“We are more worried about clade I than we are about clade II,” McQuiston said, highlighting the CDC’s continued domestic vigilance.

The CDC recently reported that receiving both doses of the Jynneos vaccine appears to reduce the risk of mpox. The vaccine is expected to protect against both clades. Throughout the clade II outbreak, which is now at low levels, mpox has primarily spread through sexual contact between men. The CDC continues to urge men with multiple male partners to receive both doses of the Jynneos vaccine. However, only about one in four of those considered at high risk in the U.S. have been fully vaccinated.

In the DRC outbreak, clade I has spread significantly through sexual transmission among both gay men and female sex workers. Children have been particularly affected, accounting for two-thirds of the roughly 20,000 suspected cases and three-quarters of the 975 suspected deaths in the DRC since January 2023, according to the CDC.

There is speculation that recent mutations in the virus may have increased its transmissibility. Rimoin suggested that close physical contact, whether sexual or nonsexual household contact, likely remains necessary for transmission. In the DRC, people often live in much more cramped conditions compared to the U.S.

“We don’t hear reports of people getting it at the market,” McQuiston noted, adding that household spread might be occurring in the DRC due to family members caring for the sick without adequate protection and limited ability to isolate those who are infected.

The vaccine remains scarce in the DRC, while in the U.S., where supply is sufficient, household contacts of infected people can seek the vaccine prophylactically. In rural DRC, people also likely contract mpox from an unknown wild animal host, possibly a rodent. No animals in the U.S. are believed to carry the virus.

Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an infectious disease expert at the University of Southern California, pointed out that differences in sexual behavior between gay men and heterosexuals in the U.S. might limit the spread of mpox among the broader American population. Unlike the general heterosexual population, gay and bisexual men include a smaller group whose behaviors could sustain an mpox outbreak outside of Africa, Klausner explained in a commentary published in The Lancet Microbe on August 7.

Klausner also argued that infectious disease researchers may have underestimated the rate of natural immunity from previous infections. For now, he believes that a combination of natural and vaccine-induced immunity is sufficient among those engaging in high-risk sexual behavior to largely prevent a substantial outbreak.

However, research suggests that natural immunity from the 2022 outbreak may wane over time, and mpox may mutate to evade these defenses. Additionally, the extent to which immunity from clade II will protect against clade I is still unknown, according to Dr. Chloe Orkin, an infectious disease expert at Queen Mary University of London.

Emory’s Titanji added a note of caution, saying of clade I, “I don’t want people to get into a complacency and think that we cannot see this in a heterosexual network” in the U.S.

WHO Declares Public Health Emergency as Deadly Mpox Outbreak Spreads in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency due to the rapid and deadly spread of a new strain of mpox in Africa. This is the second such declaration in three years, with the previous emergency having been lifted in May 2023. However, the current threat is considered to be much more severe.

“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern [Democratic Republic of the Congo], its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been particularly hard-hit, reporting a record 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. The outbreak has also affected 13 countries, including several that had never previously reported cases of the disease.

This outbreak is linked to a strain of mpox that descends from clade I, which is endemic to the DRC and the Republic of the Congo. Those most at risk from the current outbreak are women and children under the age of 15.

In response to the worsening situation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert last week, urging both clinicians and the general public to remain vigilant for signs of the virus. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also declared a “public health emergency of continental security” on Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has expressed its support for both the WHO and Africa CDC declarations. In a statement, the department emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing the outbreak. “The United States will continue to work closely with African governments, Africa CDC and WHO to ensure an effective response to the current outbreak and to protect the health and lives of people of the region,” the agency said.

As of now, no cases of this clade I mpox have been detected outside the affected African countries. However, the WHO’s declaration is intended to encourage other nations to prepare for a possible spread of the virus and to coordinate a response, including sharing resources like vaccines.

The declaration of a public health emergency by the WHO highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated global response. The rapid spread of this new strain of mpox in Africa, particularly in the DRC, underscores the potential for the virus to spread to other regions if not contained.

The WHO’s decision to declare a public health emergency is not taken lightly, as it is a rare and significant step that signals the need for immediate action. The last time the WHO declared an emergency over mpox, it was due to a less severe outbreak that was eventually brought under control. However, the current outbreak presents a much greater threat, both in terms of its rapid spread and its potential impact on vulnerable populations.

The situation in the DRC is particularly concerning, as the country has reported a record number of cases and deaths from mpox. The virus has spread to 13 countries in total, including some that had never previously reported mpox cases. This suggests that the outbreak is not confined to a specific region and has the potential to spread even further if not contained.

The WHO’s declaration is also a call to action for other countries to prepare for the possibility of the virus spreading beyond Africa. By coordinating a response and sharing resources like vaccines, countries can work together to prevent the virus from becoming a global threat.

The U.S. CDC’s health alert is another indication of the seriousness of the situation. The alert urges clinicians and the public to be on the lookout for signs of the virus and to take precautions to prevent its spread. This is particularly important in light of the fact that the current outbreak is linked to a strain of mpox that is endemic to the DRC and the Republic of the Congo.

The Africa CDC’s declaration of a “public health emergency of continental security” is another significant development, as it underscores the need for a coordinated response across the continent. The declaration highlights the potential for the virus to spread beyond Africa if not contained, and the importance of international cooperation in addressing the outbreak.

The U.S. government’s support for both the WHO and Africa CDC declarations is a positive sign that the international community is taking the outbreak seriously. By working closely with African governments and international organizations, the U.S. can help ensure an effective response to the outbreak and protect the health and lives of people in the region.

The current outbreak of mpox in Africa is a stark reminder of the importance of global health security and the need for a coordinated response to emerging infectious diseases. The WHO’s declaration of a public health emergency is a call to action for the international community to come together and address the outbreak before it becomes a global threat.

In the meantime, countries must remain vigilant and take steps to prepare for the possibility of the virus spreading beyond Africa. This includes monitoring for signs of the virus, sharing resources like vaccines, and coordinating a response to prevent the virus from becoming a global threat.

The rapid spread of the new mpox strain in Africa, particularly in the DRC, underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action. The international community must work together to contain the outbreak and prevent the virus from spreading further. The WHO’s declaration of a public health emergency is a critical step in this effort, and it is up to the global community to respond accordingly.

As the situation continues to evolve, it will be important for countries to stay informed and prepared for the possibility of the virus spreading beyond Africa. By working together and sharing resources, the international community can help ensure an effective response to the outbreak and protect the health and lives of people around the world.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI Condemns Violence Against Physicians in India During an Interview on BBC

“At AAPI, we want to express our deepest concerns and anguish about the recent horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student in what should have been a haven for her — a State-run hospital in Kolkata, where she was practicing Medicine,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of American Association of Physicians of India Origin (AAPI) said here today.

AAPIThe resident Doctor’s body was found last week on Friday with multiple injuries and signs of sexual assault in a seminar hall at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the city of Kolkata. Protests broke out in Kolkata and across the country, bolstered mostly by medical students and postgraduates in hospitals, demanding safety and security as they are engaged in healing people.

 Dr. Kathula, who assumed charge last month as the President of AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the nation, serving 30% of the US population, was interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation, (BBC) on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024.

“My heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family. It is very unfortunate that this has happened,” he said. Referring to the current situation in India, Dr. Kathula, an Oncologist based in Dayton, Ohio, serving patients for nearly a quarter century, said, “Female Doctors in India are at risk of physical violence and harassment from patients, families and the public because of the nature of their job. They also have to work during the night and the hospitals may not be providing enough security measures which puts them at risk.

Stating that such incidents are not new, Dr. Kathula said, “This is not a new phenomenon. However, there has been a noticeable increase in recent years. There is more media coverage now, which is bringing more of these incidents to light.”

A survey in 2015 by the Indian Medical Association found 75% of the Doctors in India had faced some form of violence, local media reported at the time.

There are so many reasons for these things to happen, Dr. Kathula said. “Such incidents can stem from dissatisfaction with medical outcomes, delayed services or perceived negligence. Many factors may contribute to the rise in such incidents. They may include heightened patient expectations, strained health infrastructure with increasing costs and rising frustration among patients, their families, and even staff. This is a very unfortunate thing which can impact the mental health as well as the professional wellbeing of women Doctors in India.”

“There is a need for the people to pay attention to the fact that these are all healthcare professionals, who are risking their lives, to save patients and their lives,” Dr. Kathula, an eminent physician of over 25 years’ standing in Ohio, an admirable community leader and philanthropist with a stellar record of serving in several leadership roles in AAPI.

Kathula GHS (1)Dr. Kathula urged that “hospitals need to implement robust security measures and increase surveillance cameras and security personnel and control the access to sensitive areas. Establishing clear protocols for handling violent incidents and ensuring all staff are trained to manage such situations, and also they should offer training to Doctors and hospital staff in conflict resolution and communication skills to handle these types of situations more effectively. Also, there should be public awareness and education of the people to enhance respectful interactions with healthcare professionals,” he said.

“While recognizing the pain and sufferings of the family and friends of the slain Doctor, who are impacted by the cruel and unfortunate death of their dear one, AAPI is urging that the federal, state, and local Governments in India to pursue its investigation and bring to justice, who are responsible for this tragedy. We want the government to make all the efforts possible to prevent such behaviors against physicians around the nation, who continue to suffer due to violence, harassment, and disrespect,” Dr. Kathula said.

The President of AAPI proposed that from the government side, “there is an urgent need to have stricter legislations, and for the need to enforce them and punish the people who are doing such violent things and crimes. And this is very, very important from the government standpoint.”

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of practicing Indian-origin physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for physicians of Indian origin. Dr. Satheesh Kathula says, “We will continue the noble mission and strengthen our efforts to make AAPI reach greater heights.” For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.appiusa.org

Mpox Outbreak in the DRC Declared a Public Health Emergency by WHO

The ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to once again declare it a public health emergency of international concern. This declaration mirrors a similar one made in 2022 when the virus began spreading to countries where it was not previously endemic. While wealthy Western nations managed to control the outbreak rapidly, African countries, including the DRC, received little assistance, leaving them at the heart of the epidemic.

Currently, infection rates in the DRC are on the rise, the virus is evolving, and the WHO has raised alarms again. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.

WHO’s Concern and Response

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed serious concern about the outbreak, stating that everyone should be vigilant. The WHO intends to increase the distribution of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to the DRC. However, experts caution that it may take several months for these vaccines to reach the DRC and other affected African regions.

Understanding Mpox

Previously referred to as “monkeypox,” mpox is characterized by a rash of flat sores that develop into liquid-filled blisters, which can be itchy or painful. In addition to the rash, mpox can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and overall fatigue. The majority of cases in the outbreak that began in 2022 have not been life-threatening. However, the disease can be fatal for individuals with compromised immune systems. Mpox spreads through close contact and has primarily affected men who have sex with men in the U.S. and Europe, where it has mainly spread within gay and bisexual communities.

Reasons for the Current Situation

There are several factors contributing to the current outbreak, according to Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an assistant professor in Emory University’s infectious disease department. More than 14,000 mpox cases have been reported in the DRC this year, surpassing the total number of cases for all of 2023. Tragically, over 524 people have died, including 240 children. According to the WHO and Save the Children, the infection is four times more deadly for children under the age of 15 than it is for adults.

Titanji notes that it remains unclear why the disease has become so lethal for children, but a variation or subclade of the virus, which has developed mutations making it more adept at human transmission, is suspected. This new subclade might also be responsible for the virus spreading across borders to other African countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda. This situation led the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to declare a continent-wide public health emergency on August 13. However, Titanji points out that, so far, no cases of this new subclade have been detected outside of the African subregion.

Assessing the Risk of Mpox

For those outside Central Africa, the risk of contracting mpox has not increased. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned in May that the outbreak in the DRC poses a “global threat,” the agency still considers the overall risk to the general American public to be “very low.” For men who have sex with other men and have multiple partners, the risk is categorized as “low to moderate.” However, the CDC notes that this group could be at risk if the latest version of mpox reaches the U.S.

Even though the U.S. has an ample stockpile of vaccines and treatments for mpox, Dr. Titanji emphasizes the interconnectedness of the world today, stating, “We live in a very, very interconnected global village.” There are now outbreaks in 13 African countries. “These outbreaks are connected to the U.S. or Europe by just a couple of hours because it’s easy to get on a flight and travel,” Titanji explains. “If we don’t address problems when they’re still small and affecting a relatively confined geographic location, then we could potentially have to deal with it within our own shores.”

Implications of WHO’s Declaration for Africa

The practical implications of the WHO’s declaration remain uncertain, according to Titanji. “The global outbreak has been going on since 2022,” she points out, “and we still haven’t really seen containment of the outbreak in the African region.” She questions what will be different this time.

The WHO’s declaration is intended to act as a signal, emphasizing the gravity of the emergency in the hope that it will rally resources to the affected areas, thereby preventing the outbreak from spreading further. Ideally, this would mean that the international community would come together to provide funding, diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to the DRC and other severely impacted African regions. However, Titanji recalls that in 2022, the declaration “did not necessarily translate to the tools needed to fight the outbreak in Africa.” She highlights that about 10% of mpox cases in the DRC remain unconfirmed due to a lack of diagnostic tools. Additionally, the vaccines and antiviral medications that were instrumental in controlling the outbreak in the U.S. are still in short supply in Africa.

During the press conference announcing the public health emergency declaration, the WHO estimated that an initial investment of $15 million would be required to fund surveillance, response, and preparedness measures. While the WHO has released $1.5 million toward this effort, they have called on donors to contribute additional funds to meet the necessary requirements.

Google Funds Classroom Mental Health Initiatives to Address Student Wellbeing Crisis

The ongoing mental health crisis among children in the United States has become increasingly evident within schools, where students spend much of their time. In response, Google’s philanthropic branch is taking direct action by funding mental health projects in high schools through a classroom crowdfunding platform.

On Monday, Google.org announced a major initiative, flash funding all mental health-related projects listed on DonorsChoose, an online charity where public school teachers can request supplies. With an infusion of $10 million and the involvement of actress Selena Gomez, Google aims to make mindfulness a central focus as the new school year begins.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated issues like childhood depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems, prompting school districts to seek help from teachers in addressing these challenges. However, experts have noted that while awareness of mental health issues has grown, it has not been matched by a significant increase in philanthropic funding for mental health initiatives.

Google.org had previously pledged support for nonprofits working on children’s mental health and online safety. Monday’s announcement boosts this commitment to $25 million, including the provision of $500 vouchers for eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future.

This move by Google comes amid growing criticism and legal action against Google-owned YouTube and other social media platforms, which have been accused of contributing to the mental health crisis among children by incorporating addictive features into their designs.

Justin Steele, Director for Google.org in America, emphasized that this initiative is part of Google’s effort to lead a crucial conversation and contribute positively to addressing the mental health crisis. He pointed out that searches for “teen mental health” have doubled over the past four years, highlighting the rising concern.

“Obviously, we want people to be able to take advantage of all the amazing things technology has to offer,” Steele stated. “But we also want them to be able to do it in a healthy and safe way.”

Google.org’s contributions include $6 million to DonorsChoose. Additionally, the company announced donations totaling $1.5 million to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund, and the Child Mind Institute—organizations that focus on the emotional wellbeing of young adults, people of color, and children, respectively. These groups will develop 30-minute training sessions to help educators manage new mental health challenges, with teachers earning $200 DonorsChoose credits upon completing the course.

Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to increase funding in this underfunded area, will receive $1.25 million. Gomez, who has been open about her own bipolar diagnosis, stressed the importance of having supportive adults in teenagers’ lives.

In a blog post on Monday, Gomez wrote, “As young people find their way through the world, it’s crucial that they get guidance in building healthy, positive and productive mental health habits. Few people are in a better position to help do this than teachers.”

The urgency to address behavioral issues in schools was underscored by a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which revealed that students are experiencing higher rates of bullying and school absences due to safety concerns compared to previous years.

Yes, there has been an uptick in funding for mental health initiatives, noted Mindful Philanthropy Executive Director Alyson Niemann, but she added that the financial support still falls short of meeting the elevated awareness and needs. One significant challenge, according to Niemann, is that donors are often uncertain about which solutions are effective. Nevertheless, school-based mental health support is one of the most promising strategies, as it is often the first place where students seek help and find trusted adults like teachers or coaches.

DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier clarified that while teachers are not a replacement for mental health professionals, there has been a fourfold increase in the number of mental health-related requests from teachers on their platform over the last four years. These requests often include items like saucer chairs for a “calm corner” or meditative stuffed animals that aid in deep breathing exercises.

“There is no limit to teachers’ creativities,” Guerrier remarked.

Aileen Gendrano Adao, a high school English teacher in Los Angeles, has long prioritized mental health in her classroom. She begins her classes by asking students to ground themselves with three deep breaths and has decorated her classroom walls with posters that affirm students’ self-worth.

Adao appreciates the flexibility that DonorsChoose offers, allowing her to creatively engage with her students, especially when district funding falls short of meeting immediate needs. During the pandemic, when Asian Americans were facing racially motivated attacks, she used DonorsChoose to acquire graphic novels about Asian American identity for her students.

She hopes that this additional funding will inspire more educators to prioritize mental health in their classrooms.

“Schools are transforming in a way that’s needed and necessary to heal from post-pandemic chaos,” she said. “There’s an investment. People are seeing us and wanting us to be better and whole again.”

This comprehensive effort by Google.org and its partners reflects a broader recognition of the critical need to support the mental health of students. By providing resources and training for educators, they aim to create a more supportive and mindful educational environment for children facing unprecedented mental health challenges.

AAPI, Led By Dr. Satheesh Kathula And Team Commit To Take It To Newer Heights

Center for Continence and Female Pelvic Health said, “Since my membership to AAPI In 1997, I have been a dedicated foot soldier for the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.”

satheesh 24As the President-Elect, the multi-talented professional said, “I understand that AAPI needs experienced leadership from someone who has been in AAPI leadership for over two decades.  I know what works and what does not.  This is a major contribution that I can make this year in guiding the leadership to progress in the right direction efficiently and effectively.”

Dr. Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank past leadership, along with the executive committee, Board of Trustees, and chairs of all standing committees, for their year of dedicated service. Let us continue to support each other, innovate, and strive for excellence. The challenges we overcome today will pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

Dr. Kathula, who graduated from Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1992 is asatheesh with amit clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Kathula is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored several papers and articles in medical journals and is in the process of writing a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. “For the past 22 years, I’ve been proudly serving as a Hematologist and Oncologist in the Dayton community, considering it my home:”

While elaborating on his broader agenda as the 43rd President of AAPI, Dr. Kathula, an eminent physician of over 25 years’ standing in Ohio, an admirable community leader and philanthropist with a stellar record of serving in several leadership roles in AAPI, says, “I will collaborate with legislative bodies and medical associations such as the AMA, ACP, and FSMB, in our efforts to amplify our impact.”

Dr. Kathula has laid out his vision for AAPI:

  • Promote AAPI’s mission of education, excellence in patient care, research, and professionalism.
  • Increase membership of AAPI and enhance membership benefits. Engage the younger generation more.
  • Collaborate with major physician organizations in the US.
  • Fast-tracking of Green Cards process for Physicians
  • Leverage the strength of 100,000 Indian American Doctors through Legislative endeavors.

Kathula GHSThe growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. Physicians of Indian origin are known for their great achievements, and their contributions to their motherland, India, and their adopted land, the United States in significant ways to the transformation of Indo-US relations.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies, programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world. Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for physicians of Indian origin.

For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.appiusa,org

Ajay Ghosh

Media Coordinator, AAPI

Phone # 203.583.6750

Urgent Need for Medicare Physician Payment Reform to Protect Healthcare Access and Quality

The Medicare physician payment system is becoming increasingly unsustainable, threatening the stability of both physicians and their patients. Despite years of advocacy for reform, physicians remain the only Medicare providers who do not receive an annual inflationary update. This lack of adjustment means that payment rates fall behind inflation, putting physicians at risk financially and making it difficult for them to manage rising medical costs. Without intervention, many physician practices may be forced to close, resulting in fewer options for all patients, not just those on Medicare, to receive high-quality care.

Reforming this system is urgently needed. Strong action from Congress is essential to establishing a fair and logical Medicare payment system that links compensation more closely to the quality of care provided. Such reforms would also eliminate the need for Congress to annually assess and prevent scheduled pay cuts. The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) proposes an annual inflationary update to Medicare physician payments, calculated using the Medicare Economic Index. Support for this bill from policymakers would help correct systemic flaws, protect physician practices, and ensure patients retain access to quality care.

Further reforms could also make the Medicare physician payment system more reflective of the current realities faced by medical practices. These changes could include revising the rules around budget neutrality calculations to prevent errors in future projections and reducing the financial and reporting burdens imposed by the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Additionally, reforms could encourage participation in alternative payment models (APMs), which reward providers for delivering high-quality, coordinated care.

There are several critical reasons why Congress needs to address this issue immediately:

Rising Practice Costs and Declining Physician Pay:

Since 2001, Medicare physician pay has fallen 29 percent behind inflation. During the same period, the cost of running a medical practice has increased by nearly 50 percent. This discrepancy has resulted in over two decades of stagnant payments in the face of rising costs.

Incorrect Assumptions Reduce Available Payment Funds:

When new services are added to the physician fee schedule, projections about the future workload of practices are made to comply with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) budget neutrality rules. However, these projections are often inaccurate, leading to billions of dollars being permanently removed from the payment pool.

Temporary Fixes Are Not Sustainable:

At the beginning of 2024, Medicare physicians faced a 3.37 percent payment cut. While Congress intervened to limit the reduction, they only managed to reverse 1.68 percent of the cut. This action left physicians struggling to manage practice costs and consumer prices. This reduction followed a 2 percent pay cut in 2023.

Ongoing Pay Cuts Limit Options for Medicare Patients:

The U.S. is already seeing delays in access to care and challenges in scheduling appointments. With a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, Medicare patients cannot afford to lose more options for care.

All Americans Risk Losing Access to Quality Care Without Reform:

Without significant long-term changes, physicians will struggle to afford staff salaries, purchase new equipment, or invest in their practices. If Medicare physicians are forced to close their doors, all Americans, not just Medicare beneficiaries, will be at risk.

APM Development Has Stalled:

While both Congress and the physician community have advocated for APMs to enable better care delivery at lower costs, most physicians still lack the opportunity to participate in these models. This lack of participation deprives both patients and physicians of the advantages offered by innovative healthcare delivery systems.

Healthcare Access in Rural and Underserved Areas Will Decline:

The annual cost of participating in MIPS is approximately $12,800 per physician. This cost is challenging for rural and small practices with limited resources to absorb. If Medicare physicians in these areas close, residents may struggle to find care at all.

A Rational Payment System Would Better Meet the Needs of Americans:

Reforming the current system would benefit both patients and physicians. It would provide financial stability and predictability, promote value-based care, and safeguard access to high-quality care. Additionally, it would allow practices of all sizes, in both rural and urban areas, to thrive.

Physicians have been pushing for reform for over a decade, but the system remains unchanged. The current situation has placed significant strain on the healthcare system, particularly for those on Medicare. As healthcare costs continue to rise, the lack of an inflationary update has put many practices at risk of closure, which in turn threatens the quality of care available to patients across the country.

One of the most significant issues is the failure to provide physicians with an annual inflationary adjustment. While other Medicare providers receive such updates, physicians are left behind, struggling to keep up with increasing costs. This gap between rising expenses and stagnant payments creates a precarious situation for many practices, especially smaller ones that lack the financial buffer to absorb these costs.

The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) offers a potential solution by proposing an annual update to Medicare physician payments based on the Medicare Economic Index. This adjustment would help align payments more closely with the realities of medical practice today, providing a much-needed lifeline for struggling physicians.

Moreover, addressing the systemic flaws that lead to inaccurate budget projections is crucial. When new services are added to the fee schedule, the assumptions made about future usage can lead to significant errors. These errors can result in billions of dollars being unnecessarily removed from the payment pool, exacerbating the financial challenges faced by physicians.

The temporary patches that have been applied to the payment system are no longer sustainable. At the start of 2024, physicians were confronted with a 3.37 percent payment cut. Although Congress intervened, they could only reverse a portion of the cut, leaving physicians unable to fully cover their rising costs. This situation is not new; it follows a similar reduction in 2023, highlighting the ongoing instability of the current system.

The continued decline in payment rates has broader implications for patient care. The U.S. is already grappling with delays in access to care, and with a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, the situation could worsen significantly. Medicare patients, in particular, are at risk of having fewer options for care, which could lead to longer wait times and reduced access to the services they need.

Without comprehensive reform, all Americans stand to lose. Physicians will find it increasingly difficult to maintain their practices, particularly in rural and underserved areas where resources are already stretched thin. The high cost of participating in programs like MIPS further exacerbates these challenges, making it even harder for these practices to survive.

Reforming the payment system is not just about ensuring fair compensation for physicians; it is about protecting the healthcare infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on. A rational, stable payment system would support practices in providing high-quality care, encourage innovation through APMs, and ensure that patients, regardless of where they live, have access to the services they need.

Congress must act now to reform the Medicare physician payment system. The current system is unsustainable, and without change, both physicians and patients will continue to suffer. The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) and other proposed reforms offer a pathway to a more stable, equitable system that benefits everyone involved.

Survey Reveals Rising Physician Dissatisfaction: Over One-Third Consider Leaving or Reducing Work Hours, AMA and Sanford Health Respond with Targeted Strategies

As retirement age nears, many physicians naturally begin to think about stepping down or reducing their workload. However, recent data from an AMA survey reveals a concerning trend: more than one-third of all physicians, including a significant number of younger or midcareer doctors, are considering leaving the profession or cutting back on their work hours. This trend raises alarms about the future stability of healthcare as experienced physicians contemplate early retirement or reduced workloads.

The American Medical Association (AMA) gathered over 12,400 responses from physicians across 31 states through the AMA Organizational Biopsy®, involving more than 80 health systems. The findings, exclusive to the AMA and not published elsewhere, reflect 2023 trends in six key areas: job satisfaction, job stress, burnout, intent to leave an organization, feeling valued by an organization, and total hours spent on work-related activities each week (referred to as “time spent”). These aggregated data aim to provide a national overview of organizational well-being and serve as a benchmark for other healthcare organizations, though the results are somewhat limited by the number of participating health systems.

From 2022 to 2023, 35.7% of doctors expressed a moderate interest in leaving their current jobs within the next two years or indicated they would like to or definitely would leave during that period, according to the national physician comparison report. Although this figure represents a slight decrease from 39.3% in 2022, the intent to leave remains highest among physicians who are 20 or more years out of training, at 40.8%. Part-time physicians also reported a high intention to leave, with 39.1% considering departure, compared to 34.9% of full-time physicians. Male physicians showed a slightly higher tendency to leave (35.9%) compared to female physicians (33.2%).

Specific specialties are more affected by this trend than others. Internal medicine physicians had the highest intent to leave at 39.1%, followed by family medicine at 37.3%, obstetrics and gynecology at 34%, hospitalist medicine at 32.9%, emergency medicine at 32.3%, and pediatrics at 30.2%. These figures highlight the growing dissatisfaction across a range of specialties, which could have significant implications for patient care and the healthcare system as a whole.

Furthermore, 35.9% of physicians surveyed stated they plan to reduce their work hours within the next 12 months, a slight decrease from 38.1% in 2022. The AMA, as a leader in promoting physician well-being, is actively working to reduce physician burnout by minimizing administrative burdens and offering practical solutions to help doctors rediscover the joy in their profession.

At Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a member of the AMA Health System Program, the situation mirrors the national statistics, with 35.5% of physicians reporting an intention to leave within two years. Sanford Health is implementing several strategies to improve job satisfaction and reduce the number of physicians considering departure or reducing their work hours.

One of the key strategies Sanford Health has adopted is providing annual check-ins with physicians. Research shows a clear link between work overload and burnout or the intention to leave a job. Dr. Heather Spies, an obstetrician-gynecologist and physician director of clinician experience and well-being at Sanford Health, emphasized the importance of intentional and proactive conversations and investments in relationships between physicians and their leaders. “Why someone is considering leaving an organization can be complex—it may be different for everybody,” Dr. Spies explained.

To address this complexity, Sanford Health has instituted annual check-ins for physicians and other health professionals to meet with their department chair and directors individually, and offers additional opportunities to connect as needed. “Listening, understanding and building trusting relationships are essential to determining how best to help clinicians avoid burnout or alleviate it once it’s happened,” Dr. Spies noted. These conversations are crucial for early intervention if physicians are considering reducing their hours, leaving entirely, or retiring early.

Maintaining open communication is another critical component of Sanford Health’s approach. Solutions to physician dissatisfaction vary, and open communication helps leaders apply individualized solutions. This involves having deeper conversations to uncover the specific reasons why a physician may be considering leaving or reducing their work hours. “Is it because they are not able to keep up on their charts or their in-baskets? If it’s something operationally adjustable, then we could find ways to enhance teamwork within their clinic or their department,” Dr. Spies suggested. She added that tools like Epic signal data can help identify how much time physicians are spending on work-related tasks outside of regular hours, such as charting or managing their in-baskets. “If they’re high and their time spent outside of work on charting or the in-basket is an outlier, then we can talk to them about supporting them further with resources,” she said.

This data-driven approach allows Sanford Health to tailor solutions to individual physicians while also identifying broader trends that may impact multiple clinicians. “It’s really just looking at all the different things that they might need,” Dr. Spies explained. “Then the clinician and their leader can also work better together to have discussions on solutions—some of which may apply to and help other clinicians as well, and some of which may be more unique to a certain physician.”

At Sanford Health, the intent to leave is highest among physicians who are 20 years or more post-training, at 48.9%, and among obstetrician-gynecologists, at 46.1%. The upcoming Organizational Biopsy at Sanford Health aims to identify what physicians need to thrive in a high-stress, high-stakes environment. Previous data from Sanford Health’s Organizational Biopsy showed that “the highest turnover rate is in those first couple of years after joining a practice,” Dr. Spies mentioned.

In response, Sanford Health has heavily invested in new physician orientation and extended onboarding programs to ensure physicians feel integrated into the organization’s culture. These initiatives also help physicians adapt to the community where they live and connect them with mentors or coaches if needed. “Our goal with our clinician experience strategy is to continually look at ways to be intentional about assessing the needs of our clinicians so that if there is a need, we can try to be proactive and provide for that need rather than getting to the point where we’re retroactively trying to find out why people are leaving,” Dr. Spies said. She emphasized that data is a crucial part of understanding and addressing the well-being of clinicians at an organizational level, allowing Sanford Health to stay vigilant for red flags that might indicate potential issues.

“We want Sanford to be a place where clinicians come and a place where they retire,” Dr. Spies stated. “So, it’s really important to us that we’re looking at that whole career spectrum and what we can do in each phase of that spectrum to keep making it better.”

As leaders, Dr. Spies and her colleagues are committed to continuously finding ways to reduce administrative burdens and maintain a strong focus on patient care. They also strive to recognize clinicians for their hard work and to help them find joy in their profession. “We have to be ready as leaders in this work to pivot and keep finding ways to reduce administrative burdens and keep the focus on the care of the patient, keep finding ways to recognize clinicians for the great work they do and keep finding ways to help our colleagues have joy in their work,” she added.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI Assures to Foster Unity Within AAPI Through His Unwavering Commitment to People, Optimism, and Integrity

“I aim to foster unity within AAPI through my unwavering commitment to people, optimism, and integrity,” says Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), who has assumed charge of the largest ethnic medical association in the United States. “My vision for AAPI centers on professionalization of the organization and advocacy for critical issues affecting physicians and patients alike, including addressing the physician shortage and regulatory burdens,”

KATHULA 3In an official communication sent out to the members of the AAPI’s General Boy, Dr. Kathula stated: “According to the current bylaws (Article VI) the current Executive Committee (EC) term is one year which ended on July 8, 2024. The new Executive Committee’s term started on July 9, 2024.”

Dr. Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank past leadership, along with the executive committee, Board of Trustees, and chairs of all standing committees, for their year of dedicated service. Let us continue to support each other, innovate, and strive for excellence. The challenges we overcome today will pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

While elaborating on his broader agenda as the 43rd President of AAPI, Dr. Kathula, an eminent physician of over 25 years’ standing in Ohio, an admirable community leader and philanthropist with a stellar record of serving in several leadership roles in AAPI, says, “I will collaborate with legislative bodies and medical associations such as the AMA, ACP, and FSMB, in our efforts to amplify our impact.”

Kathula FamilyDr. Kathula, who graduated from Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1992 is a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Kathula is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored several papers and articles in medical journals and is in the process of writing a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. “For the past 22 years, I’ve been proudly serving as a Hematologist and Oncologist in the Dayton community, considering it my home:”

He strongly believes acquiring new knowledge is crucial for professionals, especially fore the physicians in a changing healthcare environment. Recently, Dr. Kathula acquired a certificate from Stanford University in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. He graduated in May 2024 from Harvard University completing a “Global Healthcare Leaders Program.”

Kathula GHSRecalling his long association with AAPI, which he has come to call his 2nd family, Dr. Kathula says, “My first experience with medical conventions occurred at the AAPI annual convention in 1995, graced by then-President Bill Clinton. Inspired, I formally joined AAPI in 2002, though my active involvement commenced in 2009, assuming the role of the governing body member of AAPI. Later on, I won all four national elections I contested, supported by esteemed AAPI members.”

Dr. Kathula has served AAPI in various capacities. He served as the President and founding member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio, President of the Miami Valley Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as the President of the ATMGUSA (Association of Telugu Medical Graduates in USA). In addition, he has worked with the Ohio State Medical Association on various issues. He was the Regional Director and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected overwhelmingly by AAPI members as the national Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of AAPI, and has served as the President-Elect of AAPI during the year 2023-34.

Kathula group pixIn his inaugural note, Dr. Kathula assured all AAPI members and all physicians of Indian origin that “I will sincerely work for the betterment of our beloved organization, AAPI.”

“My priority is to engage the second-generation physicians and foster mentorship to ensure AAPI’s continued relevance and vitality.” As the leader of AAPI, who has been entrusted with the task of leading AAPI, Dr. Kathula says, “My goals for AAPI have been very clear. I want to focus on education, communication, and legislation, involving the younger generation. Increasing the membership, creating benefits for members, and making AAPI financially stronger are some of my objectives. I will work hand in hand with the entire executive committee, and board of trustees, to make AAPI stronger and more viable.”

Kathula HarvardDr. Kathula has laid out his vision for AAPI on his website:

  • Promote AAPI’s mission of education, excellence in patient care, research, and professionalism.
  • Increase membership of AAPI and enhance membership benefits. Engage the younger generation more.
  • Collaborate with major physician organizations in the US.
  • Fast-tracking of Green Cards process for Physicians
  • Leverage the strength of 120,000 Indian American Doctors through Legislative endeavors.

Dr. Kathula has been an educator and mentor for dozens of high school students in the community with an interest in attending Medical Schools. He is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton. He has been part of the program offering teaching/mentoring to medical students, residents and fellows for two decades. He has presented CME (Continuing medical education) lectures at national and international conferences and published articles in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Kathula NYHe has been actively involved in community service locally, nationally, and internationally for the last two decades. Dr. Kathula was instrumental in raising funds for the construction of the Om Shanti Hindu Cultural Center in Dayton. He is also the President and Founding Member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio. He has served on several non-profit boards, dedicating his time, skills, and resources for the greater good of the larger community. Dr. Kathula served on the Board of Trustees of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Dayton chapter) and has raised more than $200,000 for some of its initiatives. The society conferred on him the Man of the Year Award in 2010. Dr. Kathula received Hind Rattan Award in 2010, given by the NRI Welfare Society of India for his outstanding contributions. He was awarded ‘Man of the Year – 2018’ by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Dr Kathula’s love for his motherland has manifested in him setting up humanitarian and medical projects in India. The most important of them is establishing a state-of-the-art pharmacy college in Warangal in Telangana, where he grew up. Named Pathfinder Institute of Pharmacy and Educational Research (PIPER), the non-profit with Dr Kathula as the Chairman provides quality education and has already graduated over 750 students who are now working in different parts of India and abroad. He conducted several medical camps close to his native place and donated a defibrillator, water purification plant, and library to his native place. He also served as the chair of the Oncology track for several Global Health Summits in India.

Not satisfied with his personal and professional achievements, Dr. Kathula has been active in the Indian community. Intending to enable Physicians of Indian Origin to give back to their motherland, India, he is planning the next edition of the Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, India in October this year.

Satheesh kathula pixDr. Kathula gives credit to several mentors who have helped shape his outlook on life. “My life’s journey has been enriched by countless mentors and inspirations from all walks of life, each contributing to my personal and professional growth.”

Sharing about his family, Dr. Kathula says, “My wife is a homemaker, while both my sons have pursued careers in medicine—the elder as a resident in Anesthesiology and the younger currently in his third year of medical school.” Beyond a professional career, Dr. Kathula finds joy in music, writing, photography, travel, cricket, and golf, “indulging in these passions whenever time allows.”

While urging all the members of AAPI “to actively participate in AAPI’s endeavors, emphasizing inclusivity and innovation,” Dr. Kathula says, “Each Chapter of AAPI serves as a vital conduit between local and national initiatives, embodying AAPI’s ethos of collaboration and service. By fostering cooperation between the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, we can optimize AAPI’s effectiveness and uphold our shared objectives.”

“AAPI represents over 120,000 physicians of Indian origin—a distinction I will humbly uphold as the organization’s president,” Dr. Kathula states. “I attribute this honor to the diligent efforts of my predecessors who have cultivated AAPI into a preeminent Indian American institution over its 43-year legacy. Drawing from my leadership experience in various non-profit organizations, despite our members’ diverse backgrounds, I want to emphasize our shared goals to foster cohesion within AAPI,” Dr. Kathula says, adding emphatically, “With unity, I believe we can surmount any challenge and achieve our collective aspirations.”

The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, our adopted land, the US, and in a very significant way to the transformation of Indo-US relations.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies, programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of practicing Indian-origin physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for physicians of Indian heritage. Dr. Satheesh Kathula says, “We will continue the noble mission and strengthen our efforts to make AAPI reach greater heights.” For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.appiusa.org

Sreedhareeyam, While Spreading Ayurveda Across the Globe, Continues Its Mission Restoring Vision For All

Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital, located strategically in the picturesque town of Koothattukulam, nestled amidst the serene beauty of Kerala’s countryside, was established in the year 1931 by Vaidya Thrivikraman Namboothiri and his brother Vaidya Parameswaran Namboothiri, where Ayurveda Ophthalmology services were provided at their ancestral home of Nelliakattu Mana. It was then known not as Sreedhareeyam, but was called Shridhari Vaidyasala.

Thrivikraman Namboothiri practiced Medicine and Parameswaran Namboothiri would prepare and manufacture the medications, which were in very small quantities for the patients. Often medications were prescribed by the Vaidyas (Doctors), and patients would go to Koothattukulam Vaidyasala or other ayurvedic stores, where they could purchase the 10-20 ingredients and prepare the medications at home.

NPP Namboothiti teaching new DoctorsContinuing these ancient Indian principles and focusing on the assessment and treatment of the eyes, Sreedhareeyam was taken to the next level through the dynamic leadership of Dr. NPP Namboothiri, who was trained under the guidance of Vaidyan Trivikraman Namboodiri and other eminent ophthalmology practitioners in Kerala. After his passing away in 2021, Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri has been entrusted with the role of Medical Director and has been leading this prestigious Eye Hospital to newer heights.

In an exclusive interview with this writer, Dr. Namboothiri, who sees patients in the same house that he was born decades ago, says Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on the diagnosis of the disease. And those who practice Ayurveda use three tools: seeing, touching and assessing, and often do not use any instruments for the diagnosis of one’s illness. For Vata, Pitta, and Kapha disorders, the doctor would carefully monitor the patient’s pulse at the onset and diagnose the illness.

The ancient Indian classicals have described the ways to diagnose the severity of one’s illness by placing the fingers on the wrist area, and a physician can measure through the “Nadi Pariksha” that is pulse reading and one is able to assess and evaluate a person’s body, mind, soul, and spirit. Thus, Nadi Pariksha serves as a critical tool for diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of the Physiological and Pathological State of the Patient’s Body through the Science of Nadi Vigyan.

Sreedhareeyam Day Begins with Prayer at NaalukettuAs per Dr. Namboothiri, there are about 40 to 45 Doctors in addition to hundreds of supporting staff here working at Sreedhareeyam and its branches across India and abroad, who are led and trained by some senior Doctors, who are also assisting in the treatment of patients here and other branches.

Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri, who used to personally meet and treat every patient who visited the hospital during the initial years, gives credit to the “dedication and commitment” of the staff for the success and growth of Sreedhareeyam. “Even though I cannot see everyone, the Senior Doctors, whom I had the privilege of training are now able to train other Doctors and every one of them helps realize the mission of Sreedhareeyam.”

Unlike in the past, where fresh medical ingredients were prepared by hand, now Sreedhareeyam boasts of its highly advanced medicines factory that prepares and manufactures medicines in large quantities that meets the growing demands for the thousands of its own patients and supplying them to several other hospitals.

Sreedhareeyam, in its mission to share the ancient knowledge in Ayurveda has its Research Wing that closely monitors and documents the impact of the treatment for other facilities and future generations to emulate from its own success stories of the thousands of patients who benefit from the treatment.

“Led by a team of Doctors, our Research Team has published scientific articles in renowned research journals which is an effective way of sharing ancient knowledge and wisdom and its impact on current population, Dr. Namboothiri says. “When people read and hear about these concrete and evidence-based success stories, they come to Sreedhareeyam,” states Dr. Namboothiri, who does not believe in paid marketing campaigns to promote Sreedhareeyam and its impact on restoring vision to people.

Sreedhareeyam NethradharaAmong the thousands of successful cases, Dr. Narayanan recalls how Sreedhareeyam could help restore the vision for Rose Mary Odinga, the daughter of Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya in 2023. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017, Odinga’s daughter had undergone surgery in Nairobi. But in the post-operative period, Rosemary had complained of severe loss of eyesight. She travelled to India in 2019 and underwent treatment at Sreedhareeyam, which helped her vision to restore.

Rose Mary said, in 2018, she suffered from aneurysm, and subsequently her eyesight became weak. For treatment, she went to Germany, Japan and South Africa. “I also went to China two times, where I received treatment using acupuncture,” she said. Having not received much success, Rosemary Odinga finally came to India, where she underwent treatment at Sreedhareeyam, where she was treated in two sessions of three weeks each.

Dr. Namboothiri says, “When she came to us two years ago, she was totally blind with some light perception with no clear visibility. She came after having undergone several treatments in other countries. She had suffered loss of eyesight due to aneurysm and atrophy in the optic nerve.”

Rose Mary received Ayurvedic treatment, involving oral medication as well as rejuvenation therapy of the nervous system, “After the first session itself she showed signs of improvement,” he said. “When she first came, she was only left with some perception of light, and her field of vision was completely lost. Now, she is moving around,” Dr Namboothiri added. Rosemary said she was happy and excited to finally see Dr. Namboothiri clearly. “(When I first met him), I could not see him, I could just hear his voice…follow his instructions. But now I can see him,” she said.

“I guess it is a testimony that AYUSH has helped someone else, other than India, from another part of the world. It is a testimony that it is universal, that solutions of AYUSH are universal, and I am proud to be part of this story,” said Rosemary Odinga. AYUSH’ denotes Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. India has a federal ministry dedicated to these alternative medicine systems.
Mr. Odinga was all praise for the medical services rendered by the Sreedhareeyam, helping his daughter regain her eyesight.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his weekly “Man Ki Bhaat” mentioned Rosemary Odinga’s story and, while no medical treatment was helping her regain eyesight, Sreedhareeyam helped her. “She was treated in many countries but did not regain her eyesight. At last, she found success in India, that too after Ayurveda treatment. Rosemary’s eyesight returned, and she can see now. Her father told me that when she saw her children for the first time after the treatment, it was a golden moment of her life,” Modi said.

Sreedhareeyam While Spreading Ayurveda Across the GlobeSimilar stories by people from abroad and in India are not uncommon. Ralitsa Dutch, a 37-year-old patient from the Netherlands shared about her experience at Sreedhareeyam and Ayurveda this way: “I experienced optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve in relation to a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) relapse. Since then, my right eye has been heavily impaired. In 2013, when allopathic medicine deemed my case as “hopeless,” I started looking at alternative treatments and got to know about Ayurveda. The decision to come to India and undergo Ayurvedic treatment turned out to be life changing. After a three month stay at a specialized Ayurvedic MS center, my right eye “woke up” for the first time. After three consecutive stays, my MS stabilized, and I have not had any relapses ever since.”

Ralitsa went on to state that even though her MS stabilized, her vision did not come back to normal. It was in early 2023 “when I got to know about Sreedhareeyam, where I stayed for a two-week treatment. A year later, the test results showed improvement in the thickness of both the eye nerve and retina, indicating that 1) despite the 10-year gap, the nerve and retina are capable of regenerating and 2) there is a possibility of further regeneration followed by improvements of my eyesight. And I believe, Ayurveda is a synonym of hope and I encourage anyone who feels hopeless to give it a try.”

Dr. Namboothiri says, many come to Sreedhareeyam as the last resort, where all other options, including most modern medicines have failed them. According to him, in modern allopathic medicine, for each disease there may be multiple medications prescribed, with several side effects. However, in Ayurveda, such concept is not there. But, in ayurveda, Doctors prescribe medications that target holistically, and are treating the basic cause for any disease.

On the connection between vegetarian food and ayurvedic medicine, Dr. Namboothiri says, “Food is at the center of the medicines we give to our patients. And it’s preferred that we eat food that is easily digestible. In addition, vegetables contain lots of ingredients, including vitamins and the minerals our bodies need. Carbohydrates and protein, which are non-vegetarian items won’t digest easily, and will add to the increase of fat in our body, which contributes to collapsing of the circulation of blood. Whenever the blood is not flowing and its pathway is getting obstructed, that leads to problems in the brain, and to the upper limbs or lower limbs everywhere. It is very difficult to treat a patient with obesity and is a major challenge.”

Regarding the growing interest now in Ayurveda his thoughts for the upcoming Doctors and medical students who want to be “Another Dr. Narayanan,” Dr. Namboothiri says, people coming from outside of Kerala are not getting sufficient exposure in other ayurveda systems and its ways of treatment. Here in Kerala, there are several Ayurvedic hospitals, where thousands of patients are being treated and medical students have direct knowledge and exposure. “My suggestion to those doctors is that it is important to practice medicine with a very good understanding of Ayurveda, so that they can provide good relief to the patients with the Ayurvedic system of medicines. For instance, if someone has a fever, one should know that it can be resolved even with the one day of fasting itself. Follow the Panchakarma procedure with which they can do wonders,” he added.

Dr. Namboothiri gives credit to “My Gurus in Ayurveda, my uncle NPP Namboothiri, and Dr. B Vaidyanadhan who was in Chennai and was a famous ayurvedic doctor, with whom I had the privilege of working with for about a year. But quite often I used to go to him and learn from his approaches. He used to examine patients using the nadi parikshanam. He used to give only limited medicines, which are pinpointed and treat the ailments in his patients. I learnt a lot from him and his approach to treating patients.”

Entrance to Nellikattu Bhagwathy Temple where the Lamps are lit and burn 247 all daytsDr. Namboothiri thanked the Modi government in India, saying “It is very helpful that the Modi Government promotes Ayurveda. The government is doing many things, and he is a very good ambassador for Ayurveda as well as Yoga. An All-India Institute of Ayurveda has been started in Delhi with centers in Gujarat and Goa. The creation of Ayush Ministry is a big boost for the ancient medical traditions of Inda.”

While describing the secret to the success and growth of Sreedhareeyam, especially in the past quarter century, Dr. Namboothiri says, “I am grateful to the Divine power of the Bhagavathi, who is in front of the hospital and the divine power of Mahadeva, who is behind the hospital.”

The treatment for every patient at Sreedhareeyam begins with praying and offerings to the Divine. The staff here gather before the Bhagavathi every morning at the “Naalukattu” where the hospital originated, seeking her blessings on every patient and staff. Dr. Narayanan says, “It’s the Prakasam, that is the lighting of the lamp all night and day before the Divine” that helps sustain the vision for all of our patients.” In addition, he says, “It’s not only that I feel the power of the Divine while entering the Hospital, but there are others who feel and share the same,” which is the secret to the success of the mission of Sreedhareeyam, which is “restoring the vision for all.”

Sreedhareeyam’s commitment to the fusion of traditional Ayurveda with modern technology results in effective, safe, and reliable treatments for eye ailments. Sreedhareeyam has expanded and grown tremendously in its headquarters at Koothatukulam and having opened several new centers across many states in India and abroad. New sections are being constructed at Sreedhareeyam and there plans to open new centers in other states across India and abroad.

When asked about the future of Sreedhareeyam, Dr. Namboothiri says, “At Sreedhareeyam, our major objective is that every patient should receive maximum benefit from the treatment we provide. We are not looking at having more patents each day, but we want to provide quality care to all those who come here seeking treatment.”

NAINA HOLDS 9TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN ALBANY, NY ON OCTOBER 4TH AND 5TH

The preparations for the Ninth Biennial Conference of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) are in full swing.  The two-day conference will be held on October 4 and 5th at Crown Plaza Hotel in Albany (New York).  The conference objectives and topics are based on the theme: “Synergy in Action:  Innovate, Inspire, Integrate”.

Suja ThomasNAINA stands as the representing voice of the tens of thousands among the 4.7 million nurses in the healthcare arena.  The primary goal of NAINA is to provide service to and bring all the nurses and nursing students of Indian origin under one umbrella.  With twenty chapters across the nation, NAINA stands as the sole national organization of Indian nurses with thousands of nurses enjoying the benefits of its membership.  In the mainstream, NAINA is closely associated with American Nurses Association, CGFNS International, National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Organization, and National Council of State Board of Nursing.  As we witness Indian Americans all across the life spectrum in the country, the Indian American nurses have already established their presence in healthcare. You will Indian nurses at bedside, in outpatient clinics, nursing leadership, nursing education, hospital administration, university faculty, and research.  They are ambitious; they uphold a vision of high-quality healthcare.  They believe that higher education can equip them with advanced knowledge, critical thinking skills, upward career opportunities, professional respect, and healthcare progress.” Suja Thomas, the president of NAINA emphasized.  Suja, a nursing administrator and an adjunct professor, is also in the governing team of CGFNS International.  The leadership team of NAINA also represents nursing professionals with expertise from diverse fields.

The conference, after the inaugural ceremony and keynote addresses, will be split in four concurrent sessions at theTara Shajan same time and will bring out new research outcomes and evidence- based practice initiatives that could empower and embolden nurses with knowledge and skills to bring back to their home practices. Attendees of each session will get continuing education credits that could be used for maintaining their specialty certifications and help nurses to achieve promotional initiatives like Clinical Ladder.  Tara Shajan, a nursing director at Health and Hospitals Corporation of New York who is the National Convenor and the treasure of NAINA pointed at the networking opportunities that NAINA conference provides to the attendees.  “Besides the valuable continuing education credits, you get opportunities to network with bedside nurses from all specialties, scholars, nurse practitioners and educators from California to Main and Florida to Minnesota. You can inspire and get inspired!”

Dr. Colleen Irwin-Walsh will be the keynote speaker on the first day.  She is the Associate Director of Evidence Based Practice at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Washington DC whose Cardiac guidelines have been implemented by all VA System hospitals nationwide and will be presenting on the topic:  Driving Nurse Excellence: Ambili Nair Integrating Research, and Technological Innovation for Enhancing Practice.”   Mukul Bhakshi, Chief of Strategy and Governmental Affairs, will be another guest speaker.  Dr. Debbie Hatmaker, Chief Nursing Officer of American Nurses Association, and Dr Kelly Foltz-Ramos, director of simulation & innovation and assistant professor at University at Buffalo School of Nursing will be the guest speakers on Saturday, the second day.  Dr. Glenda B. Kelman, chair and professor of nursing at Russell Sage College Troy will do the keynote presentation on “Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in the Age of Technological Innovation in Nursing Practice.”  The concurrent sessions will follow.

Early registration to the conference is underway.  Ambili Nair, president of Indian American Nurses Association of Albany, the host of the conference, and the chapter convenor emphasized the benefits of early bird registration: “by being a participant at the conference, you are also participating in the discussion in transforming the future of nursing.”   Registration can be done at https://nainausa.org/biennial-conference-24-registration

A Conference Souvenir will also be published at the conference.  Dr. Shyla Roshin, the chief nursing officer at South Beach Psychiatric Center in Staten Island is the chair of the souvenir committee.  She said more information on submission of contributions to the conference is available at https://nainausa.org/conference-24-souvenir.

Indian Nurses Association Of New York Conducts Health Screening And Education In Long Island

The health screening and education booths of Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY) at the Senior Health Expo in Rockville Center, Long Island was a major attraction for the local communities in the area. They included blood pressure monitoring, body mass index measurement, blood sugar check, physical and mental health screening, diabetes education, heart related education and other health maintenance education and guidance. The Senior Health Expo was organized by the first Indian American second term New York State Senator of Long Island Kevin Thomas. The event was targeted at the seniors in the region to give access to information and resources for maintaining and bettering their health.

Indian Nurses Association Of New York Conducts Health Screening And Education In Long Island 1INANY, the organization that stands as the voice of Indian nurses living in New York, has been engaged with New York State Senator to extend healthcare services to the underserved communities in his constituency for the last three years. INANY was also a recipient of a $10,000 grant in partnership with Coalition of Asian American Children and Families to address the surge anti-Asian hate incidents after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The nurses conducted an awareness and bystander intervention training program in senior centers, professional forums, social gatherings and as part of a nursing continuing education conference. The training program comprises various strategies that could be used by a witness or bystander of an anti-Asian hate incident to comfortably intervene to help the victim, without compromising safety or fear. Dr. Anna George, the president of INANY pointed out that the strategies are evidence based and have been adopted by various universities and healthcare organizations such as Northwell Health.

INANY also utilized this opportunity to provide innovative and accessible infection control education for frontline healthcare workers to protect their patients. This initiative was part of National Association of Indian Nurses of North America (NAINA) instituting a grant from American Nurses Association.

Indian Nurses Association Of New York Conducts Health Screening And Education In Long Island 2The nurse-volunteers who attended at the Health Expo comprised of nurses working at bedside, nurse practitioners from cardiac catheter lab, and university professors who shared their expertise to educate on reducing risks of life threatening illnesses and conditions. They also did depression screening and talked about need for seeking help or reaching out to resources when someone from own family or others suffers from mental health conditions or substance abuse. They also counselled about the stigma attached to mental illness. Taylor Darling, the New York assembly woman from district 18 who observed services of INANY nurses at the Expo said that she was thoroughly impressed and delighted with what INANY did for the health of the community. She talked about the stressors in nursing related to staff shortage, safe staffing issues, faculty shortage and acuity at work and thanked the nurses for their compassion and altruism. Senator Kevin Thomas expressed his gratitude for the services INANY provided to the people of his district and for the dedication of Indian nurses for what they do every day in healthcare facilities.

INANY president Dr. Anna George, Annie Sabu Aleyamma Appukuttan, Grace Alexaner, Nisha Jayan, Grace Geevarghese, Rupinder Kaur, Paul Panakal, Shiney Xavier, Paul Panakal, and Jaya Vathappally dedicated the day for their voluntary services at the Expo.

7 Key Signs You’re Dehydrated and How to Stay Hydrated, According to Experts

You might believe you’re staying adequately hydrated, especially if you’re frequently sipping coffee throughout the day, but you might be more dehydrated than you realize. The human body is approximately 70% water, and daily activities can lead to a loss of up to two and a half liters. Even breathing contributes to fluid loss, with about half a liter exhaled daily.

How Much Water Should You Drink Each Day?

Maintaining fluid balance is essential, and drinking sufficient water plays a crucial role. According to the Mayo Clinic, which references data from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, adult women should consume around 11.5 cups or 2.7 liters of fluids daily, while men need about 15.5 cups or 3.7 liters. Although roughly 20% of this intake can come from food sources like fruits, soups, and vegetables, few individuals actually meet these recommended amounts.

Signs You May Be Dehydrated

To better understand if you’re dehydrated, we consulted Dr. Lela Ahlemann, a specialist in dermatology, proctology, and nutritional medicine. She highlighted seven common indicators that you might not be drinking enough water:

  1. Dry Mouth and Thirst

A classic symptom of dehydration is feeling thirsty and experiencing a dry mouth. This sign suggests that your body is signaling a need for fluids. Dr. Ahlemann notes that a dry mouth not only indicates dehydration but can also impair your immune system. “A dry mouth can lead to a weakened oral mucosa, which serves as an immune defense, making you more susceptible to infections,” she explains. If you can’t drink water, at least rinse your mouth with some liquid.

  1. Dark Urine or Reduced Urine Output

Dr. Ahlemann explains that concentrated urine, which appears darker, is a sign of insufficient hydration. Ideally, urine should be a pale yellow. “If your urine is dark, it’s a clear indication that you need to drink more water. Observing your urine color is a simple self-check to determine if you’re adequately hydrated.”

  1. Headaches and Dizziness

Dehydration can reduce blood volume, which in turn affects the brain’s supply of blood and nutrients, leading to headaches and dizziness. “Headaches and dizziness are often caused by this decreased blood volume,” says Ahlemann. If you experience frequent dizziness, seeking medical advice is recommended.

  1. Fatigue and Difficulty Concentrating

Lack of fluids can also result in fatigue and difficulty concentrating. This is because reduced blood volume impacts brain function. “Fatigue and trouble focusing are common signs of dehydration. The decreased blood volume means that the brain is not receiving optimal support,” explains Dr. Ahlemann.

  1. Dry Skin and Lips

Dry skin and lips are additional indicators of dehydration. Dr. Ahlemann suggests a simple test to check for dehydration: “Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and pull it up. If the skin returns slowly to its original position, it indicates dehydration.” Dry skin can also cause itching and make your skin appear paler due to insufficient oxygen and micronutrient supply.

  1. Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Not drinking enough water can make blood thicker, which may make blood vessels more visible, resulting in dark circles and sunken eyes. “If you’re not drinking enough, the blood can become thicker, making blood vessels more noticeable. This can lead to dark circles, sunken eyes, and increased wrinkles around the eyes,” says Ahlemann.

  1. Constipation

Constipation is a common consequence of inadequate fluid intake. When you drink insufficient water, your intestines absorb too much water from stool, reducing its volume and leading to constipation. Dr. Ahlemann notes, “In medical terms, constipation is described as having hard stools due to dehydration. Many people are unaware that insufficient hydration can also cause bloating.”

Understanding these signs can help you recognize when your body needs more water and take appropriate steps to stay hydrated.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New York

The first ever World Health Congress organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) held from July 18-22nd, 2024 came to a close here at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square in New York City with the call by the outgoing President, Dr. Anajana Samadder to work towards the realization of the mission of AAPI.

“I want to thank the AAPI delegates, sponsors and organizing committee who have put together such a great event at the heart of New York City,” Dr. Samadder said in her concluding address. “We have had an exciting 1st ever World Health Congress that was full of fun-filled, educational and entertaining. There was something for everyone, including the younger generation, the teenagers, and children, as wells to the AAPI members, making it a family event,” said Dr. Samadder.

Top News AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New YorkIn her keynote address at the gala on Sunday night, Honorable Smriti Irani, a former Cabinet Minister of India and a Bollywood star shared with the over 1,500 AAPI delegates who came from across the United States about the many contributions of India to the world, especially in the healthcare filed and the numerous achievements of the Government of India. She thanked the AAPI members for their great contributions and services to the people of the United States and for their motherland India.

The World Health Congress, which began on July 18th with the cutting of the Ribbon by the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams is being attended by over 1,000 physicians and has over 80 speakers and CEOs from around the globe, provide the delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to network, learn, and explore groundbreaking advancements across healthcare disciplines.

Some of the key speakers addressed the delegates at the  Congress included: Dr. Mehmet Oz, American television personality, Physician, Author, and Professor Emeritus of cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University; Eric Adamas, Mayor of New York City; Smriti Zubin Irani, an Indian politician and former actress, fashion model, and television producer; Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Innovation, and NY Assembly woman Jenifer Rajkumar.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New YorkNew York City Mayor Eric Adams inaugurated the World Health Congress of Physicians with the cutting of the Ribbon and a powerful and memorable inaugural address on July 18th, 2024. In his inaugural address, Adams lauded the contributions of Indian American physicians across the United States, especially during the Covid pandemic. “When you look at the 1000s of physicians across the country, you walk into any hospital, the emergency rooms, especially during COVID, you were present. You were there, and you sacrificed your own health to make sure of the health of this entire country. Your contributions are so rare.”

Dr. Mehmet Oz delivered an inspiring talk on “Living the Good Life” sharing with delegates who had assembled at the Broadway Ballroom his insights into wellness and health optimization that resonate deeply within and beyond the medical community.

Sri Brahmrishi SiddhGuru Gurudev, while bestowing his blessings on the organizers and the AAPI delegates called the Indian American Physicians “the best” in the world, because “they give their best to the world.” He lauded them for their virtues of “learning, earning and returning” that makes them stand out across the globe.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New York

Pramukh Swami Dr. Swami Gyanvatsal, a Motivational Speaker from Akshardham, BAPS Swaminaryan Mandir presented his inspirational talk on “Physician Burnout.” Swami Gyanvasti Dr. Gyan Vatsal focused on various aspects of personal development, spirituality, social harmony, giving back to society, education, and knowledge, highlighting the significance of continuous learning and education in personal growth.

The CEO Forum was moderated by Dr. Achintya Moulick, Chair of the AAPI World Health Congress. In his opening remarks, Dr. Moulick said, “The first World Congress of AAPI signals the beginning of a new chapter for the organization which has had a significant impact on American healthcare. The goal for me as the first convention chair of the World Congress is to bring healthcare providers, entrepreneurs, financial bodies and policymakers together and create a perfect gathering of first, second and third generation physicians and other healthcare providers of Indian origin lead the way for the future of global health.”

The CEO had industry leaders from healthcare, pharma and IT, including Dr. Oz; Edward Chan, 1315 Capitall; Michael Kopko,, Co-founder & CEO | Pearl Health; Hemanth Neeli,, Inhospital Physicians; Ishan Shivanand,, Yoga of Immortals (YOI); and Dr. Samin Sharma, The Mount Sinai Hospital, Director, Cardiovascular Clinical Institute. The inspiration forum deliberated on ways to provide the best and most efficient healthcare delivery to patients, with minimum cost and how AI has and will influence healthcare delivery in the US and around the world.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New York

AAPI’s Legislative Day discussed the need to regulate healthcare, visa, physician-patient relationship, insurance issues and was moderated by Dr. Sumul Raval, national Secretary of AAPI. He said, “AAPI’s lobbying efforts on some of the issues affecting the broader Indian American community and other immigrant groups is also a testament to its growth and reach. Being one of the oldest Indian American organizations, it’s also among the most influential, as was evident from the lawmakers who took time out of their busy schedule to address the group.”

Dr. Srinagesh Paluvoi, member of AAPI’s national Board of Trustees, and the Regional Director, Mid Atlantic-I Region Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan moderated the Legislative Day. Lawmakers how were part of the Panel included: New York City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang; New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan; NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumarl;  Ravi Reddi, representing the Office of US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; New Jersey state Senator Vin Gopal; and, NYC Councilwoman Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. During the discussions, AAPI members highlighted the importance of healthcare delivery, Green Card backlog, physician-patient health relationship, and insurance issues. In a show of support for AAPI, all the lawmakers addressed the AAPI delegates and listened to their concerns and promised support.

Moderated by Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan and co-moderated by Dr. Mamta Singhvi co moderator, past president of MSRF and led by Dr. Anjana Samadder, president of AAPI, the popular Women’s Forum had Smiriti Irani, former federal Minister from India and Bollywood star, Dr. Leena Gupta, Regional Director from the West Coast, Yoshita Singh, Press Trust of India, Chief Correspondent for USA and the United Nations, Dr. Soumya Vishvanathan, a physician and corporate leader, leading a group of 17 Hospitals in Florida. Each of them shared with the audience their personal journey to become successful in their professional careers.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New York Some of the major themes at the convention include: Yoga and Meditation practices, a welcome kit with books & self-care supplies, A Personal Reflexology Session, Take home wellness routine, yoga therapy sessions, a workshop on Spiritual well-being, Book talk with Yoga Gurus, including on the science of Yoga & Lifestyle medicine, and several wellness sessions.

The World Congress has had, among many others, sessions on cutting-edge research and CMEs, promoting business relationships, and displaying of ethnic items. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was the prime focus of our World Health Congress. There were entertainment features for children, live and exciting performances by Javed Ali and Atif Aslam, Aditya Narayan, Traditional Garba, Bollywood Film Festival, a standup comedy show by Kapil Sharma and a fashion show by the world renowned fashion designer and artist Archana Kochar.

In addition to colorful entertainment, and exquisite authentic Indian cuisine, esteemed health industry leaders, world-renowned speakers, and experts shared their wisdom and expertise in the industry, offering enlightening sessions to the delegates.

AAPI’s World Health Congress offered an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. The physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New YorkAmit Chakrabarty, Vice President of AAPI said, “AAPI’s mission has evolved in the past 42 years. “Today, AAPI is strong representing over 120,000 Indian American physicians, 130 local Chapters, who make up 10% of total physicians in the US and nearly 50% of International Medical Graduates, rooted in every corner of the nation, who serve every 7th patient in the US. We are proud of our achievements and our contributions to the healthcare industry and the millions of people we serve.”

Dr. Lokesh Edara, Chair, AAPI Board of Trustees said, “The growing influence of doctors of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in the healthcare, academic, research and administrative positions across the nation. With their hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills, they have thus carved an enviable niche in the American medical community. AAPI’s role has come to be recognized as vital among members and among lawmakers.”

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New YorkResearch and Arts Competition: Poster Competition brought in the best among the aspiring medical students and new graduates from Medical schools. A Panel Discussion on Global Medical Education addressed by the Heads of NBME, FSMB, Intealth, NBME, and NBEMS offered practical tools on navigating the educational systems across India, UK and the United States.

Networking Mixer and Speed dating was a unique session catering to the needs of the young physician community. Immigration Talk by Nalini Mahadevan provided insights into current immigration trends and about the ways to obtain Resident/Green Card status to physicians community members.

Can India become a Vishwaguru in Healthcare? by Dr. Anupam Sibal was an important topic that provided insights into how  India is becoming a world leader in Medicine.

AAPI with Mayor Eric AdmasEach day began for the participants with an hour long session on “Harmony and Health: Integrative Yoga” where delegates benefited from hands on sessions teaching and practicing Yoga. Another theme that ran across all days of the Congress was Art Gallery – Oorja: The Feminine Light in Indian Art. Healing Breath that was part of the schedule everyday of the Congress was another way AAPI delegates had an opportunity to ground themselves to the present and start afresh.

Cultural Programs including “AAPI GOT TALENT” offered an opportunity to Physicians to showcase their talents in art and music, competing with one another for top honors.

Making it relevant and meaningful to young children, each day had a session on “Sky Kids and Sky Teens Leadership Camp” providing them with meaningful insights on self-development. Bollywood Bhangra workout LIVE by Zumbhangra was another way offered to members to relax and learn new ways to stress reduction.

AAPI’s World Health Congress Concludes In New York The growing influence of doctors of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in the healthcare, academic, research and administrative positions across the nation. With their hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills, they have thus carved an enviable niche in the American medical community. AAPI’s role has come to be recognized as vital among members and among lawmakers.

“The 1st ever World Congress of AAPI has offered extensive academic presentations, recognition of achievements and achievers, and professional networking at the alumni and evening social events,” said Dr. Samadder, whose one-year term as AAPI president has come to a close as per AAPI bylaws.  For more details on AAPI and the 1st World Congress, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

AAPI’s Women’s Leadership Forum Focuses on “Celebrating Women of Excellence”

Women are leading the world by being the proponents of economic empowerment, strengthening educational organizations, and being a powerful voice in politics. They have overcome obstacles and have shown the world what a woman can achieve and contribute to the betterment of the world as never before in human history. AAPI’s Women’s Leadership Forum focused on “Celebrating Women of Excellence”

Moderated by Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan and co-moderated by Dr. Mamta Singhvi co moderator, past president of MSRF and led by Dr. Anjana Samadder, president of AAPI, the Forum had Smiriti Irani, former federal Minister from India and Bollywood star, Dr. Leena Gupta, Regional Director from the West Coast, Yoshita Singh, Press Trust of India, Chief Correspondent for USA and the United Nations, Dr. Soumya Vishvanathan, a physician and corporate leader, leading a group of 17 Hospitals in Florida. Each of them shared with the audience their personal journey to become successful in their professional careers.

Smirti Irani shared with the audience where she broke many glass ceilings and rose to the top of the political and Bollywood world. “I am honored to be part of the panel of trail blazing women.” She said, she was one of the youngest ever to be elected to the Rajya Sabha and Cabinet positions at the Federal Government. She was proud to have been honored by the World Economic Forum when it named me as a Young Woman Leader of the world.”

AAPI WomenSmiriti Irani highlighted India’s role in bringing women’s leadership to the world forum though its leadership of G 20. She said, “Women don’t have the problem of speaking up, but they have the problem of being heard.” She said, “Women’s values cannot be measured by their success, she needs to be evaluated by what she is.” She paid homage to physicians of Indian origin “for your great contributions” and urged that “AAPI celebrates where every voice of women is celebrated.”

Young Yoshita Singh shared about the journey she made from India to the UN. “You learn everyday as there is new everyday. I have seen the sea change in multilateral and bilateral relationships with USA.”

Dr. Soumya Vishvanathan said, “I am honored to be part of the powerful panel. It’s not about women, but people’s development. An internal medicine physician in New England, she decided to take on leadership roles and rose to the top of the ladder today. She said, “With a well-rounded education and belief that I am ready to take on this leadership role leading 17 hospitals across Florida, where our system wise focus on training young physicians.”

While congratulating the members of AAPI’s Women’s Forum, Dr. Anajana Samadder, President of AAPI said, “From birth to death, all of us need women in our lives. They sacrifice their lives for the rest of the family, society, and the world at large. AAPI’s Women Forum salutes the great contributions of the women panelists here today and all the women who are present here today and everywhere.” For more information about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

FDA Finds Potentially Dangerous Bacteria in Sealed Tattoo and Permanent Makeup Inks

Research by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered that sealed bottles of tattoo and permanent makeup ink, some marked as sterile, contain millions of potentially harmful bacteria.

“In light of our study results, we want to emphasize the importance of continuously monitoring these products to ensure the microbial safety of tattoo inks,” stated Seong-Jae (Peter) Kim, a microbiologist at the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research. Kim, the corresponding author of the report published on July 2 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, highlighted the significant findings of the study.

Tattoo ink is injected deep into the skin, creating an environment where some bacteria can thrive, potentially causing infections and serious injuries. Linda Katz, director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, explained, “Pathogens or other harmful substances in these inks can travel from the injection site through the blood and lymphatic systems to other parts of the body.”

This systemic spread of bacteria can lead to severe, life-threatening complications such as endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart lining, and septic shock, the final and most severe stage of sepsis. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that if not treated quickly, “sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.”

Common symptoms of tattoo ink infections include injection-site rashes, impetigo (a contagious bacterial skin infection), erysipelas (a bright red and tender skin rash), and cellulitis (a deep skin infection requiring antibiotic treatment). According to Katz, individuals with multiple or large tattoos are at a higher risk due to the increased likelihood of exposure to microorganisms. Permanent makeup, especially around the eye area, poses additional risks as microbes can enter the eye and cause infections.

John Swierk, an assistant professor of chemistry at Binghamton University, noted, “We know that contamination in tattoo inks is a common occurrence. Part of the problem is that there is no agreed upon, industry-standard method for sterilizing inks. Our work and the current study really highlight the need for good, standardized manufacturing processes across the tattoo ink industry.”

The tattoo industry is working with regulatory bodies to comply with safety standards. Selina Medina, director of research at the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, stated, “Manufacturers are investing in advanced sterilization technologies and formulation advancements to improve their production environments to reduce the risk of contamination. This includes using clean rooms and enhanced quality control processes to mitigate against problems like this.”

The latest study examined 75 samples of sealed tattoo and permanent makeup ink from 14 US manufacturers. Researchers found that 26 samples from 10 manufacturers, or 35% of the sample set, had some degree of bacterial contamination. While most samples had bacterial counts of less than 250 CFUs (colony-forming units) per gram, a few contained bacterial counts as high as 105, or 100,000 bacteria per gram.

Earlier FDA studies found that 35% of unopened and sealed inks from US manufacturers had bacterial counts as high as 108 CFU, or 100 million bacteria per gram. Infectious disease expert Dr. Robert Schooley emphasized that the bacterial level in materials injected into the skin should be zero. “The level of bacteria in materials that are injected into the skin or that come into contact with abraded or injured skin should be ‘none detected,’” said Schooley.

Schooley also noted that tattooing has been associated with the transmission of viral infections like hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV. He added, “These (infections) were not studied in the FDA manuscript, but the fact that so many of the inks failed bacterial sterility tests suggests that other organisms like viruses and fungi also can slip through the cracks.”

Many certified tattoo artists are aware of the contamination risks and take steps to avoid them. Medina emphasized, “Transparency with clients is vital. Artists should communicate openly about the steps they take to ensure ink safety and address any concerns clients may have.”

Some artists conduct their own testing or require proof of testing from suppliers, including microbial testing for potential contamination. Tattoo artists can also resterilize inks before application using an autoclave, a machine that uses steam to apply high pressure and temperature to eliminate bacteria.

The way ink is handled during tattooing is crucial. For instance, using the same gloves to touch a client and the ink bottle can lead to contamination. Artists should ensure ink bottles are tightly sealed when not in use and stored in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight to minimize contamination risks.

Experts advocate for regulations requiring testing and certification of tattoo and permanent makeup inks before they are marketed. Swierk mentioned, “Tattoo inks are in the process of being regulated due to the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) of 2022, but much of that law dealing with tattoo inks has yet to be implemented.”

“We anticipate that MoCRA will be phased in over the next few years and that will represent the first serious regulation of tattoo inks in the US. Most of this will focus on good manufacturing processes and safety substantiation.”

In June 2023, the FDA released draft guidance for the tattoo industry, detailing how manufacturers should conduct quality control measures, including sterilization.

Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Sleeping long hours one night but only a few hours the next can be detrimental to your health, with new research suggesting that inconsistent sleep patterns may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The findings “underscore the importance of consistent sleep patterns as a strategy to reduce type 2 diabetes,” according to Sina Kianersi, the lead author of the study and a research fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Channing Division of Network Medicine in Boston.

This new study analyzed sleep and health data from over 84,000 participants enrolled in the ongoing UK Biobank Study. The participants, who were on average 62 years old and did not have diabetes at the start of the study, provided a valuable dataset for the researchers.

For a period of seven consecutive nights, participants wore an accelerometer—a watch-like device that tracks movement during sleep.

The researchers then monitored whether these individuals developed type 2 diabetes over the next 7.5 years.

After accounting for various potential confounding factors, Kianersi’s team found a significant association between irregular sleep patterns and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

“Irregular” sleep was defined in the study as having a nightly sleep duration that varied by an average of 60 minutes or more.

Individuals with irregular sleep patterns were found to be 34% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to those whose sleep duration remained more consistent.

The study could not definitively explain how fluctuating sleep duration might contribute to the onset of diabetes. However, the researchers theorized that “circadian disruption and sleep disturbances” could be contributing factors.

These findings were published on July 17 in the journal Diabetes Care.

U.S. Allocates $176 Million to Moderna for Accelerated Bird Flu Vaccine Development Amid Dairy Cow Outbreaks

The U.S. government has committed $176 million to Moderna for the accelerated development of a pandemic influenza vaccine targeting bird flu, federal officials announced Tuesday. This funding reflects growing concerns about the spread of bird flu to dairy cows across the country.

Moderna is currently in the early stages of testing a bird flu vaccine utilizing the same mRNA technology that facilitated the swift creation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing this new funding to support the ongoing development of the vaccine, potentially leading to a late-stage trial next year, provided that initial study results are promising.

Importantly, HHS officials have highlighted that the project is designed to be adaptable, allowing a swift pivot to address other forms of influenza should a different threat arise, rather than the current focus on the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

The funding is being provided through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a program dedicated to the development of medical treatments for potential pandemics.

The H5N1 virus, which was detected earlier this year in dairy cows, has now spread to more than 135 herds across 12 states. To date, three people have been infected, all of whom experienced only mild symptoms. Federal health officials emphasize that the overall risk to the general population remains low.

The U.S. government’s investment in Moderna is a proactive measure to combat potential pandemic threats. By leveraging mRNA technology, which proved effective against COVID-19, and ensuring flexibility in targeting various forms of influenza, this initiative aims to bolster national preparedness against future influenza outbreaks.

Doctors Protest Harsh New Law on National Doctor’s Day, Citing Increased Penalties for Medical Negligence

On National Doctor’s Day, doctors across the professional spectrum expressed discontent and anger, opting to protest rather than celebrate.

Their protests centered on a specific provision in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced outdated British-era laws. This discontent highlighted the medical community’s widespread concern about the legal change coinciding with National Doctors’ Day.

The new law imposes both a fine and a mandatory five-year jail term on doctors found guilty of negligence not amounting to culpable homicide. Previously, under the Indian Penal Code, penalties included a fine or up to two years in jail.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda extending greetings to doctors, many medical professionals saw the new BNS law as a punitive measure. One doctor called it a “gift from the government” designed to punish them.

Dr. Arun Gupta, president of the Delhi Medical Council, commented, “Earlier, the provision under 304 A did not specify medical professions, and it was of a general nature. However, the new law brings modern medicine practitioners into the ambit and clearly defines them. The law now makes jail term mandatory.” He questioned the lack of protection for doctors handling critically ill patients under the new law, asking, “What kind of protection will they have now?”

He expressed his concerns on Twitter: “BNS is here – happy Doctor’s Day from the government. Now, jail is a must in case of medical negligence. Think 100 times before you take a sick patient.”

Dr. Gupta further highlighted that a Supreme Court ruling had previously stated police negligence under 304 A must be severe to warrant action. The Court had also mandated that police could not register a case against a doctor without clearance from a competent medical body. He questioned the fate of these clauses now that the IPC had been repealed.

Dr. R.V. Asokan, National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), stated that they had communicated their concerns to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, arguing that doctors should be exempt from the law as their actions do not involve criminal intent. The IMA, representing over 3.5 lakh members, felt the new law unfairly increased penalties for doctors.

“The new law has in fact increased the punishment for the doctors. Doctors don’t deserve this,” Dr. Asokan told this paper.

Kerala-based Dr. K.V. Babu expressed his disappointment, saying, “Today, Doctors’ Day 2024, is a sombre day for doctors practising modern medicine in our country.” He added, “Hundreds of our colleagues have sacrificed their lives when our nation was going through the worst COVID pandemic. Now it seems that jail is ‘Modi Sarkar’s gift’ to medical professionals who will likely get convicted in case of unfortunate situations when a death occurs during treatment.”

During a parliamentary discussion last year, Shah had stated the criminal law bill was amended to provide relief to medical professionals in cases of death due to alleged medical negligence. He had promised to bring an amendment to protect doctors from being treated as criminals in such situations.

However, Dr. Rohan Krishnan, FAIMA national chairman, pointed out that doctors were not exempt from the new law and instead faced harsher penalties. “What was promised in the parliament has not been delivered. This change in the law can be misused against the doctor who genuinely works to save the patient’s lives. How will a doctor now treat an emergency patient? Now, doctors will refer serious cases to a government hospital as they would not want to be involved in litigation. In the end, the patient will suffer.”

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, past president of the IMA Cochin, explained that modern medical practice involves inherent risks. “Many of these carry an inherent risk of side effects, injury or death which is never intentional. This makes it different from homicide, notably because the action is taken in the patient’s best interest, and done with informed consent.” He added, “Despite the best efforts, bad outcomes do occur, such is the nature of the profession. Unfortunately, excessive fear of punishment discourages doctors from discharging their duties, and many are now opting to take up less risky specialties. This eventually will harm patients who are critically ill, and whose lives could be potentially saved.”

Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, national council coordinator of the Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN), remarked, “This doctor’s day, we have got something which surely no doctor would probably want! The doctors working in the critical departments already have to worry before treating a sick patient thinking what if anything happens to the patient by trying to save life by critical approach then it’s the doctor who has to pay and suffer. The doctors should be relieved from these acts considering the sensitivity of our profession.”

Dr. Asokan suggested the government should clarify the provisions under Section 26 and Section 106 of BNS for the benefit of investigating officers (IO). He recommended that the home ministry instruct IOs to act against doctors only when there is clear evidence of recklessness or gross negligence and to register a case only after consulting a state medical expert team, as practiced in some states.

Previously, under Section 304 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), those causing death by negligence not amounting to culpable homicide faced up to two years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. Under the new BNS law, Section 106 (1) prescribes up to five years of imprisonment and a fine for similar offenses, with mandatory imprisonment for those found guilty.

The BNS law defines a “Registered medical practitioner” as someone with a recognized medical qualification under the National Medical Commission Act 2019 and listed in the National Medical Register or a State Medical Register under that Act.

Special Postal Cover Promoting Community CPR Released by the Indian Postal Service National Doctors Day

National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on July 1st since 1991 in India to honor the contributions of the legendary Indian Physician Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. A special “National CPR Promotional History Event” highlighted this year’s celebration.

Mrs. Sree Latha, Postmaster General of Hyderabad Circle, Telangana released a unique postal cover with the ‘National CPR Challenge Campaign of Srinivasa Heart Foundation, India’ on July 1, 2024, at Jamai-I Osmania Post Office Hyderabad on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day at a well-attended event.

This historic event not only conveys the Government of India’s commitment to ‘Saving Lives through Community Bystander CPR’ but also underscores the significant role of the Indian Postal Service in promoting this life-saving technique. On this occasion, about 100 postal employees and 250 employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (Hyderabad Zone) received CPR training.

Several National (Indian) and International Resuscitation Organizations with multi-institutional collaborations have been promoting community CPR programs to enhance outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in India for more than two decades.

Srinivasa Heart Foundation is the Indian Partner of the recently inaugurated “National India Hub Community Health & CPR Training Center” at the National India Hub in Schaumburg, Illinois, the biggest community center in the USA. Dr. Srinivas Ramaka is the Founder and Chairman of the Srinivasa Heart Foundation in India, which has been promoting Bystander CPR programs for many years. Mr. Harish Kolasani, the Founder of the National India Hub, congratulated Dr. Ramaka and thanked him for his collaboration with the CPR Training Center as an Indian Partner.

Research has found that Heart Disease is the number one Global Public Health problem. Heart attacks strike South Asian Men and Women at younger ages, and as a result, both morbidity and mortality are higher among them compared to any other ethnic group. They tend to develop heart disease ten years earlier than other groups. In India, heart disease remains the number one cause of death. South Asians are at a four-times greater risk of heart disease than their Western counterparts and have a greater chance of having a heart attack before 50 years of age. Almost one in three in this group may die from heart disease before 65 years of age. Efforts to raise awareness of heart disease and promote a “Healthy Heart” lifestyle are essential.

Dr. Vemuri S Murthy, an Indo-US Resuscitation Training and Research expert and the Founder of the “National India Hub Community Health & CPR Training Center,” Schaumburg, Illinois in his interview with the media on the occasion of “National Doctors Day, elaborated the ongoing global efforts to combat the world’s number one killer, Heart Disease.

While pointing to the need for promoting CPR Training across the nations, Dr. Murthy said, “It’s critical to initiate “Community Heart Health” programs with preventive strategies, retard the progression of heart disease with early diagnosis and individualized treatment plans, and implement measures to enhance neurological and other functional outcomes after sudden cardiac arrests. The latter involves providing immediate resuscitation help with high-quality bystander CPR, early defibrillation, and faster transportation to tertiary cardiac care hospitals. Immediate Bystander CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) has proved to have double or triple the chances of their survival.”

Dr. Murthy paid tributes to the commendable efforts by the Government of India (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) for the extensive support being offered to the community CPR programs including mandatory resuscitation training initiatives with India-tailored National Emergency Life Support (NELS) Courses for Doctors, Nurses, and Paramedics.

Study Reveals Surgeons Most Reported for Unprofessional Behavior Among Physicians

A recent cohort study investigated the disparity in unprofessional behavior reports among physicians across various specialties, as perceived by their coworkers. Involving 35,120 physicians, the study discovered that 9.1% had at least one report from a coworker describing unprofessional behavior.

Key Findings

Surgeons were the most frequently reported group, with 13.8% having at least one report, whereasnonsurgeonnonproceduralists had the lowest rate at 5.6%. Emergency medicine physicians and nonsurgeon proceduralists exhibited unprofessional behavior at rates of 10.9% and 12%, respectively. Physicians specializing in pediatrics were notably less likely to receive reports compared to their nonpediatric counterparts, especially among nonsurgeonnonproceduralists (3.6% vs. 6.0%).

The primary types of unprofessional behavior reported were issues with clear and respectful communication, followed by lapses in professional responsibility, competent medical care, and integrity.

Study Design

This retrospective cohort study, published in JAMA Network Open, utilized data from the Coworker Concern Observation Reporting System (CORS), administered by the Vanderbilt Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy, covering January 2018 to December 2022. Reports were categorized into clear and respectful communication, professional responsibility, competent medical care, and integrity. The study employed logistic regression to calculate the odds of any CORS report, adjusting for specialty, region, academic practice status, and pediatric specialty status.

The cohort included 18,288 nonsurgeonnonproceduralists, 1,876 emergency medicine physicians, 6,743 nonsurgeon proceduralists, and 8,213 surgeons. Notably, surgeons had the smallest proportion of pediatric-focused practitioners (5.5%). The largest proportion of the cohort practiced in academic settings, reflecting the distribution of CORS sites.

Detailed Results

Out of the 35,120 physicians in the cohort, 3,179 (9.1%) had at least one CORS report. The incidence of reports varied significantly by specialty: nonsurgeonnonproceduralists (5.6%), emergency medicine physicians (10.9%), nonsurgeon proceduralists (12.0%), and surgeons (13.8%). Nonsurgeonnonproceduralists were significantly less likely to be reported compared to all other specialties combined (5.6% vs. 12.8%).

Pediatric-focused physicians were less likely to receive a CORS report than nonpediatric-focused physicians (6.8% vs. 9.4%). Specifically, pediatric-focused nonsurgeonnonproceduralists had fewer reports compared to their nonpediatric counterparts (3.6% vs. 6.0%).

In a multivariable logistic regression model, controlling for physician and practice site characteristics, all specialty types had significantly higher odds of receiving at least one coworker concern report compared to nonsurgeonnonproceduralists. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) were: emergency medicine physicians (adjusted OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.63-2.24), nonsurgeon proceduralists (adjusted OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 2.12-2.57), and surgeons (adjusted OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 2.51-3.01) (P < .001). Pediatric-focused physicians were significantly less likely to have a coworker concern report than those with a nonpediatric focus (adjusted OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.61-0.78; P < .001).

The predominant types of CORS reports across all specialties involved issues with clear and respectful communication, followed by professional responsibility. Reports concerning professional integrity were the least common.

Implications

“Because unprofessional behaviors are associated with patient complications, malpractice claims, and well-being concerns, monitoring concerning behavior and especially those physicians with repeated reports provides important opportunities for physicians and leaders to support professionalism, which increases the chance of health care organizations meeting their clinical, cultural, and other performance goals,” the study researchers concluded.

A complete list of disclosures from the researchers is available in the study.

Half of Adult Indians Physically Inactive, Women More Affected: Lancet Global Health Study Reveals Alarming Trend

According to new research published in the Lancet Global Health, half of the adult population in India does not meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines for adequate physical activity. The study highlights that more women (57%) than men (42%) are physically inactive. Alarmingly, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity among Indian adults has escalated dramatically from 22.3% in 2000 to 49.4% in 2022.

If this trend continues unchecked, by 2030, 60% of the Indian population could be unfit and at increased risk of diseases associated with insufficient physical activity.

Importance of the Study

The WHO advises that all adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, or an equivalent amount of vigorous activity. Insufficient physical activity is defined as failing to achieve 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or a combination of both each week. According to the WHO, physical inactivity significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, and cancers of the breast and colon.

India ranks 12th highest in terms of insufficient physical activity among 195 countries. Globally, nearly one-third (31%) of adults—approximately 1.8 billion people—did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO, explained, “This is because of many factors, including changes in work patterns (move towards more sedentary work), changes in the environment, convenient transportation modes and changes in leisure time activities (that is more screen-based/sedentary activities).”

The highest rates of physical inactivity were found in the high-income Asia-Pacific region (48%) and South Asia (45%). Other regions showed levels of inactivity ranging from 28% in high-income Western countries to 14% in Oceania.

Why Should Indians Be Concerned?

Indians are genetically predisposed to developing non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes about a decade earlier than others. Dr. K Srinath Reddy, a public health expert and leading cardiologist, noted, “Lack of physical activity means that you are just aggravating your existing risk factors. The WHO goals were set to reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some types of cancer while improving mental health and a stronger immune system.”

He added, “Delayed urbanisation and industrialisation in some parts of the world have led to a sedentary and comfortable lifestyle, particularly South Asia (including India).”

Overcoming a Sedentary Lifestyle

Maitreyi Bokil, a Pune-based nutritionist and exercise physiologist, believes the biggest obstacle to fitness is the mental barrier that views exercise as just another chore in a busy day. She advises starting with enjoyable physical activities, such as watering plants or doing household chores. “Once you do that regularly, take the next step by finding a friend to go for a walk or join a community club. Having a pet is a great way to break a sedentary lifestyle,” she says.

For people with comorbidities, she recommends seeking medical advice on the frequency, intensity, and type of physical activity based on their endurance levels. Regarding diet, Bokil advocates for a rainbow-colored diet. “Everyone is aware of the importance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, but we don’t realize the importance of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. They make sure we get the energy out of carbs, protein, and fat. In addition, they help us fight inflammation caused due to erratic lifestyles. So everyone should focus on at least two vegetables (one cooked, one raw) for each meal and two whole fruits in a day,” she advises.

As for starting exercise at any age, Bokil cites research indicating that muscle gains can be made throughout life. “New neuro-muscle connections can be made at any age,” she says.

Gender Disparity in Physical Activity

Dr. Reddy noted that several studies within India have also shown low levels of physical activity among women, who often mistakenly believe that household chores constitute sufficient exercise. Cultural barriers also contribute to this inactivity, especially among middle-aged urban women. Indian women are faring worse than their counterparts in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, according to the study.

Dr. Fiona Bull, head of the WHO unit for physical activity, and epidemiologist Dr. Tessa Strain, attributed these figures to women bearing a larger share of home duties. “These combined with their caregiver role provide women lesser opportunities to prioritize themselves; they don’t have time and feel tired,” they said.

This comprehensive study underscores the urgent need for India to address its rising levels of physical inactivity. With a significant portion of the population at risk of developing serious health conditions, promoting a more active lifestyle through awareness and accessible initiatives is crucial.

Unite in Balance: Celebrating International Yoga Day

Black and Gold Simple Elegant Mandala Page Border US Letter SizeDr. Indranill Basu-Ray is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and a Professor of Cardiology and Public health, based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He is the Founder Chairman of American Academy for Yoga in Medicine.

Finding time to care for our health can feel impossible in our fast-paced world. Busy schedules and unhealthy routines can leave us stressed and out of balance. That’s where yoga comes in—a holistic exercise that keeps our bodies flexible, our minds calm, and our spirits energized. Yoga provides a sanctuary of peace amidst the chaos, offering a path to inner harmony and well-being.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice that started in India over 5,000 years ago. It was developed to connect the mind, body, and soul, helping individuals reach a state of enlightenment. Today, yoga is popular worldwide to improve overall health and manage stress. It goes beyond the physical, touching every aspect of our lives and promoting peace and balance.

What Makes Yoga Unique?

  • Holistic Approach: Yoga integrates physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote overall well-being.
  • Accessibility: It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels.
  • Picture: Canva Regular practice reduces stress and anxiety, fostering mental clarity and calmness.
  • Flexibility and Strength: Enhances physical strength, flexibility, and balance.
  • Mind-Body Connection: Encourages a deeper awareness of the body and mind, promoting mindfulness in daily activities.

International Yoga Day

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21. This special day highlights the importance of yoga and encourages people worldwide to practice it. It’s a global event that brings together yoga enthusiasts from all walks of life, celebrating yoga’s positive impact on our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Yoga Day is a reminder of the ancient practice’s enduring relevance and ability to transform lives.

History and Importance of International Yoga Day

Proposed by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, International Yoga Day was first celebrated on June 21, 2015. The date, the longest day of the year, symbolizes the light and energy that yoga brings into our lives. This day promotes yoga’s mental and physical health benefits and fosters a sense of global unity and peace.

How International Yoga Day Contributes to Yoga Development

  • Global Awareness: Raises awareness about the benefits of yoga.
  • Community Building: Brings people together to practice and celebrate yoga.
  • Educational Events: Features workshops and sessions that educate people about yoga.
  • Encouragement: Inspires individuals to incorporate yoga into their daily lives for improved well-being.

Yoga’s Popularity and Benefits in Numbers

Yoga’s popularity continues to grow globally, supported by various studies and statistics:

  • Global Reach: Approximately 300 million people practice yoga worldwide, with over 36 million practitioners in the United States alone.
  • Health Benefits: Scientific studies show that yoga can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and enhance mental clarity.
  • Regular Practice: About 37% of yoga practitioners have been practicing for five years or more, indicating long-term commitment and benefits.
  • Physical Fitness: Yoga improves flexibility, strength, and balance, with 86% of practitioners citing physical fitness as their main reason for practicing.
  • Mental Health: Yoga significantly reduces anxiety and depression, with 43% of practitioners stating it helps them manage mental health issues.

The Theme of International Yoga Day 2024

The theme for 2024 is “Yoga for Women Empowerment.” This theme aims to raise awareness about yoga’s benefits for women and encourage individuals to incorporate yoga into their daily lives for improved well-being. It emphasizes the role of yoga in promoting physical, mental, and emotional health, empowering women to lead balanced and fulfilling lives.

How to Celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Join a Virtual Event: Participate in online yoga classes and workshops.
  • Go on a Yoga Retreat: Spend time focusing on yoga and relaxation.
  • Practice with Family and Friends: Gather loved ones and practice yoga together.
  • Learn a New Pose: Challenge yourself with a new yoga pose.
  • Create a Yoga Space at Home: Set up a special place for your yoga practice.

Basic Rules for Practicing Yoga

  • Empty Stomach: Practice yoga on an empty stomach for comfort and effectiveness.
  • Start Slowly: Begin with simple poses and gradually move to more challenging ones.
  • Relax Before You Start: Take 10 minutes to relax your mind and body before beginning.
  • Wear Comfortable Clothes: Choose comfortable, light-colored clothes.
  • Use a Yoga Mat: Practice on a mat for support and cushioning.
  • Morning Practice: Doing yoga in the morning can help you feel energized all day.
  • Stay Regular: Practice yoga daily for the best results.

Family Yoga Practice

Yoga with your family strengthens your bonds and creates a peaceful and fun routine. Here’s why you should try family yoga:

  • Increases Mutual Understanding: Spending time together through yoga fosters love and respect.
  • Strengthens Bonds: Helps you understand and support each other.
  • Encourages Open Communication: Yoga creates a safe space for honest conversations.
  • Starts the Day Fresh: Relieves mental fatigue and energizes you.
  • Inculcates Healthy Habits: Promotes good habits like punctuality and empathy.

Yoga is a wonderful practice that improves flexibility, reduces stress, boosts immunity, and much more. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, let’s roll out our mats this International Yoga Day and embrace the benefits of yoga! Let’s make this day a celebration of health, peace, and unity.

Healthcare Disparities in America: Inequalities Persist Across Every Dimension of Access and Outcomes

Over the past nine weeks, we’ve delved into the crucial issues defining healthcare, revealing a stark reality: healthcare in America is riddled with inequalities, and these disparities may worsen in the future.

Throughout our exploration, one resounding theme persists: disparities pervade every aspect of healthcare access and outcomes. Samantha Artiga, from the Racial Equity and Health Policy Program at KFF, emphasizes, “It’s not only inequities in access to the system, but then also differential experiences even within the system.” This inequality spans a lifetime, affecting health outcomes “from the beginning of life to end of life.”

The disparities are multifaceted. They extend beyond simple demographic categories, affecting people differently based on various dimensions of their identities. Artiga notes, “People have multiple identities and don’t fit into one single box, so their experiences are going to be shaped by who they are based on multiple different dimensions.”

Insurance coverage is a critical issue exacerbating these disparities. As highlighted by a recent JAMA Internal Medicine study, low-income individuals with private insurance disproportionately allocate a larger share of their budget to healthcare costs compared to their higher-income counterparts. Furthermore, disparities in insurance coverage directly impact hospital care, influencing facilities’ financial health and their ability to serve diverse patient populations. Hospitals serving more Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients often struggle financially, leading to closures or reduced services, perpetuating healthcare inequalities.

Racial segregation in hospitals mirrors residential segregation patterns, contributing to disparate health outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries of different racial backgrounds. The implications are significant: where one seeks care can determine health outcomes, illustrating the systemic inequalities embedded within the healthcare landscape.

Access to prescription drugs also underscores these disparities, particularly in clinical trials where people of color are underrepresented. This gap extends to market access, where new medical advancements and treatments are often more accessible to those with comprehensive insurance coverage, leaving Medicaid recipients and small businesses at a disadvantage.

Geographic and socioeconomic factors further compound disparities in healthcare access. Rural communities often lack adequate healthcare facilities, forcing residents to travel long distances for essential medical services. Meanwhile, aging populations, especially lower-income seniors, face higher rates of disabilities and shorter life expectancies, despite Medicare coverage.

Mental health and addiction treatment highlight additional disparities. White individuals with mental illnesses are more likely to receive treatment compared to their Black, Hispanic, or Asian counterparts. Similarly, the opioid crisis has disproportionately affected American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black communities, exacerbating disparities in addiction treatment and criminal justice involvement.

Workforce shortages exacerbate these challenges, creating unequal access to care. Concierge practices, catering to affluent patients, highlight a growing trend where those with financial means bypass waiting times and access superior care, further entrenching a two-tier healthcare system.

Advancements in medical technology, such as precision medicine and AI algorithms, hold promise for personalized care but risk widening disparities if not implemented equitably. Concerns persist that without effective policy interventions, these innovations could primarily benefit affluent populations, exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities.

Ultimately, these disparities manifest concretely in life expectancy variations across demographic groups defined by race, income, education, and occupation. These metrics underscore the profound impact of social determinants on health outcomes, reflecting broader structural inequities embedded within American society.

In conclusion, while discussions often focus on healthcare access and experiences within the system, the determinants of health extend far beyond clinical settings. Factors such as location, access to nutritious food, transportation, and employment all shape health outcomes. These underlying structural inequities must be addressed comprehensively to achieve meaningful progress toward a more equitable healthcare system.

As Samantha Artiga aptly summarizes, “People’s health is shaped by so many factors that sit outside the health care system and play such a large role. All those factors are influenced by underlying structural inequities.” Addressing these inequities is not just a matter of healthcare policy but requires a broader societal commitment to equity and justice in all facets of life.

Telugu Fine Arts Society Hosts Free Health Camp In Edison

A free health camp was organized on June.9 under the leadership of Madhu Anna, president of the Telugu Fine Arts Society (TFAS), a renowned organization celebrating its 40th year. The event, hosted in partnership with Sai Datta Peetham, took place at Siva Vishnu Temple’s community hall in Edison, New Jersey, from 9 am to 1 pm, serving over 125 patients.

The event was honored by the presence of Bernards Township Mayor Jennifer Assay, who commended both TFAS and Sai Datta Peetham for their dedication to community service. Mayor Assay highlighted the significance of such initiatives in supporting local communities. The event was held in collaboration with Sai Datta Peetham, serving over 125 patients.

TFAS is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Telugu culture and arts. And, Sai Datta Peetham is a renowned spiritual and cultural center in Edison, NJ, committed to serving the community through various religious, cultural, and social service activities.

Raghusarma Sankaramanchi, founder and chairman of Sai Datta Peetham, provided facilities for the camp and blessed the TFAS committee for their noble efforts. His support was instrumental in the smooth execution of the event. A team of distinguished medical professionals, including Dr. Janani Krishna, Dr. Janardhan Bollu, Dr. Shanthi Eppanapalli, Dr. Anish Nihalani, Dr. Srinivas Pavuluri, Dr. Madhu Rajaram, and Dr. Devipriya Thirugnanabandham, provided specialized treatments. Patients expressed their gratitude for the doctors’ exceptional and free services.

Avantik Labs offered blood work services, while Woodlane Pharmacy distributed necessary medical kits, both contributing significantly to the camp’s success.

The event saw active participation from various community members and volunteers, including Damu Gedala, Venkata Satya, Subhadra, Latha Devi, Vara Lakshmi, Vani, Arundathi, Seshagiri, Lokendar, Mahidhar, and Edison Council Member Ajay Patil.

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala Elected as President-Elect Of The American Medical Association (AMA)

Bobby Mukkamala, MD, an otolaryngologist from Flint, Michigan was elected president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA)by physicians and medical students gathered at the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 11th, 2024.

Mukkamala will take over the presidency of AMA starting in June 2025 after the current President, Bruce Scott, M.D., who was inaugurated as AMA president on June 11, 2024. Mukkamala will serve a one-year term for the physician advocacy group, which has been focused on reforming Medicare physician pay, reducing prior authorization burden and mitigating provider burnout, including through the use of technology to augment provider workflow.

“It is a turbulent time to be a physician in this country,” said Dr. Mukkamala. “Challenges like an unsustainable Medicare payment system, excessive prior authorization, and physician burnout have put our health system in a precarious place. But the AMA is fighting these battles in Congress, in state capitals, and in our communities to achieve a better future where physicians can spend more time with their patients. I am honored to be chosen by my peers as the AMA’s president-elect and I am eager to continue fighting for better health care for all our communities.”

Dr. Mukkamala has been active in the AMA since he was a resident physician at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. He is chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, serving as a strong voice in advocating for evidence-based policies to end the nation’s overdose epidemic.

Dr Bobby Mukkamala Elected as President Elect Of The American Medical Association (AMA)

The son of two immigrant physicians, Dr. Mukkamala was inspired to go into medicine and return to his hometown of Flint to serve the community that welcomed his family decades before. He played a central role in response to the Flint water crisis, serving as chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint with a focus on funding projects to mitigate the effects of lead in children.  

As an otolaryngologist, Dr. Mukkamala sees patients at all stages of life and all phases of health. He will succeed Bruce A. Scott, MD, as the second consecutive AMA president to specialize in otolaryngology. Explore why the AMA is the otolaryngologist’s powerful ally in health care.

Dr. Mukkamala is a past recipient of the AMA Foundation’s “Excellence in Medicine” Leadership Award. He was elected to the AMA Council on Science and Public Health in 2009 and chaired the council 2016– 2017, before being elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2017. He won reelection to the board in 2021.

He has served as a member of the Michigan State Medical Society’s board of directors since 2011, as board chair for two years, and as its president. He is also a past president of the Genesee County Medical Society and continues to serve on its board of directors.

Mukkamala has served in leadership roles within the American Medical Association and for local health initiatives in Michigan. Mukkamala attended the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.

Mukkamala was among 10 honorees awarded the Governor’s Service Awards in Michigan for supporting his community during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the state of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website, Mukkamala served the Flint community on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic at testing sites and mobile clinics. He also partnered with his son to make N95-like masks for healthcare professionals with 3D printers within their homes and worked on vaccination efforts.

Mukkamala said in an interview with the media that he hopes to work on prevention of chronic diseases rather than the “sick care” model that costs the health system millions.

Mukkamala is interested in chronic disease detection and prevention from community work in Flint, Michigan. He said that at a local farmer’s market, he offered blood pressure screenings. Nearly 30% of people entering the farmer’s market had stage one hypertension, and they didn’t know it.

“That’s the sort of observation that I make in my hometown that is perfectly aligned with exactly what the priority stories of the AMA is, which is to identify that and decrease the burden of chronic disease in our country,”Mukkamala said.

Mukkamala also hopes to continue in the AMA’s advocacy of modernizing technology in healthcare and facilitating interoperability.

“If, during my three years, we can kind of call attention to the foolishness of this lack of interoperability of health information, I will leave the AMA in three years as a happy man knowing that I put my fingerprints on the work that makes that rights that wrong,” he said.

He continued, saying: “If somebody has an allergy to a medication…  they don’t have to worry about remembering that in every physician’s office that they go to because it automatically populates the allergy field of their medical record. It’s just something so basic that we’re missing out on. That’s one thing that is my sort of pet project.”

The AMA House of Delegates passed a resolution addressing prior authorization at its annual meeting in Chicago. The resolution, which will ultimately be passed onto lawmakers, would create greater oversight of health insurers’ use of prior authorization controls on patient access to care. A statement by AMA says the group will advocate for increased legal accountability of health insurers, increased transparency for prior authorization denials, and support real-time prescription benefit tools .

Mukkamala said, one of his priorities as future AMA president is to increase the physician supply in the country. He advocates for the addition of international medical graduates to the workforce as well as fostering growth of U.S.-educated doctors. He said residency slots need to be increased to address the shortage.

He also pointed to restrictive laws, like one in Michigan, that require internationally-trained physicians to re-do residency training before working as physicians in the U.S. He advocates a shorter acclimation period for international doctors to work in the U.S.

AMA delegates also elected Bobby Mukkamala, MD, an otolaryngologist in Flint, Michigan, as the organization’s president-elect. They also re-elected David Aizuss, MD, a Los Angeles ophthalmologist, and Ilse Levin, DO, MPH, a Washington-area internist, to the board of trustees. And they elected first-time trustees Melissa Garretson, MD, a pediatric emergency physician in Forth Worth, Texas; Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, a plastic surgeon in Oxnard, California; and David Welsh, MD, MBA, a general surgeon in Batesville, Indiana.

Bruce Scott, MD, an otolaryngologist from Louisville, Kentucky, was sworn in as the American Medical Association’s (AMA) 179th president; he promised to “fight for our profession [and] fight for our patients.” In his inaugural address, Scott said, “I still believe the AMA can and does make a difference for our patients and our profession. We are committed to protecting the patient-physician relationship. Standing up for science and the ethical practice of medicine. Pushing back against reckless scope expansions. Fighting for fair payment that supports thriving practices. Pressing for relief from administrative burdens — so that physicians can focus our attention on what matters most — our patients.”

Mukkamala said, in the next year as president-elect, he hopes to learn from incoming president Bruce Scott, also an otolaryngologist, who has been a mentor to him for many years.

“He’s been a mentor for more than a decade now, and I certainly there’s a lot of fire in my belly about a lot of things, but I’m hoping to learn from him about how to translate that passion into conversations with people to accomplish solutions,” Mukkamala said. “So I’m really looking forward to honing my skills, honing my communication, my ability to communicate what’s on my mind and what’s that fire in my belly in a way that’s constructive. And so I’m glad to have this year as president-elect to kind of brush up my skills.”

Study Reveals Intense Exercise May Suppress Immune Function in Firefighters

Excessive intense exercise might suppress the immune system, a potential concern for those with physically demanding jobs such as emergency responders and athletes. A 2023 study involving over 4,700 post-exercise fluid molecules from firefighters supports this notion.

Ernesto Nakayasu, a biomedical scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), explains, “People who are very fit might be more prone to viral respiratory infection immediately after vigorous exercise. Having less inflammatory activity to fight off an infection could be one cause.”

Moderate physical activity is known to benefit the immune system over time. However, the immediate impact of vigorous exercise on the immune system is debated. Although some prior studies have reported upper respiratory tract infections in athletes after strenuous activity, there is little concrete evidence linking intense exercise directly to an increased risk of opportunistic infections.

Nakayasu and colleagues conducted an experiment on 11 firefighters, analyzing their blood plasma, urine, and saliva before and after a 45-minute intense exercise session, which involved carrying up to 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of gear over hilly terrain.

Kristin Burnum-Johnson, a bioanalytical chemist at PNNL, said, “We wanted to take an in-depth look at what’s happening in the body and see if we’re able to detect danger from exhaustion in its earliest stages. Perhaps we can reduce the risk of strenuous exercise for first responders, athletes, and members of the military.”

Exercise undoubtedly benefits health, from mood enhancement to immune system strengthening. However, similar to previous studies, this new research found signs of possible immune suppression in the firefighters post-exercise.

Amid the expected physical adaptations to meet the demands of increased fluids, energy, and oxygen during exercise, a decrease in inflammation-related molecules was observed, alongside an increase in opiorphin, which dilates peripheral blood vessels.

The implications of these changes for short-term immune function remain unclear, though the researchers offer hypotheses. “[Opiorphin] may increase blood flow to muscles during the exercise regimen to improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients,” the researchers write. They suggest the decrease in inflammatory molecules after exercise could be an adaptive response to improve gas exchange due to higher cellular oxygen demand.

The participants’ oral microbiome also changed, possibly due to an increase in antimicrobial peptides in their mouths after intense activity. This increase may compensate for immune suppression, though this is debated. “However, this increase in antimicrobial peptides had no effect on inhibiting E. coli growth,” Nakayasu and his team note, indicating a limited protective capacity of these peptides against infections in the oral cavity.

Other scientists argue that some observed changes might indicate a “heightened state of immune surveillance and immune regulation” rather than immune suppression.

While the study’s within-subject comparison minimized the small sample size impact, firefighters’ unique exposure to pollutants during fires might also alter their immune responses.

Moreover, the study only involved healthy, active men, prompting researchers to call for broader research to confirm their findings. Despite these limitations, Nakayasu and his team conclude, “There is evidence supporting a relationship between physical demands and a higher incidence of respiratory infections.”

AAPI’s First-Ever World Health Congress In New York To Cater To The Needs Of All

“AI, CMEs, Research, CEO/Women’s Forums, Live Entrainment, Broadway Shows, Fashion Shows, Garba, Mindfulness, Spiritual Discourses, And Heartbeat”

“We are very excited to invite you to the most awaited event of the year, the first-ever World Health Congress, being organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at the heart of New York City,” said Dr. Anjana Samadder, President of AAPI. “This 5-day event set at the prestigious Marriott Marquis on Times Square in the amazing city of New York will be held from July 18–22, 2024.”

The theme for the Congress is “Beyond Boundaries: The Confluence of Medicine and Artificial Intelligence.”

Taking into account the diverse needs of the AAPI delegates coming from around the world, the World Congress organizers have meticulously planned the event, with the conference packed with sessions on “AI, CMEs, Research, CEO/Women’s Forums, Live Entrainment, Broadway Shows, Fashion Shows, Garba, Mindfulness, Spiritual Discourses, and Heartbeat.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the prime focus of our World Health Congress, said Dr. Samadder, while describing the major innovation of AI use in healthcare. “We have physicians registered from England, Australia and India to come to this Congress,” Samadder said.

According to Dr. Sumul Raval, current Secretary of AAPI, “We have invited leaders in AI and CEOs of companies to tell us how AI is going to affect healthcare.” Sessions at the Congress will discuss how AI is primarily utilized to increase speed and accuracy in healthcare. It is already being used today in diagnosing patients, in transcribing medical documents, in drug discovery and development, and in increasing administrative efficiency.
Complicated surgeries and procedures are being done with the use of AI. Sessions will also discuss the use of AI technologies including machine learning, natural language processing, and rule-based expert system. Artificial Intelligence experts will hold informative sessions on how AI is positioned to improve patient outcomes, increase safety, reduce human error, and reduce costs associated with healthcare.

The event is set to offer opportunities for the participants to connect with influential leaders including former First Lady Michelle Obama, international actor Priyanka Chopra and India’s first woman Police Chief Kiran Bedi, at the Women’s Forum. It will also offer a transformative experience in public health, bridging, communities, and as it explores AI’s role in these endeavours. The Congress, thus, promises empowerment, leadership, inspiration, and networking with esteemed leaders from around the world.

Other highlights include keynote speeches on the Future of Health Care, cutting-edge medical exhibits, research contests, and 24 Continuing Medical Education, and accredited workshops.

There will be entertainment features for children such as The Wiz and The Lion King, performances by singer Atul Purohit and a comedy show by Kapil Sharma, Live entertainment by Javed Ali and Atif Aslam, Traditional Garba, Bollywood Film Festival, and a fashion show.

This conference will host Physicians, Healthcare professionals, and leaders from across the world for a dynamic exchange of ideas, a collaborative effort to shape the future of healthcare on a global scale. We invite you to be an active participant in this transformative journey.

Raval said, “We will have an event that will be full of fun-filled, research-filled, and learning-filled activities.” Outlining other features of the event, Raval said there was something for everyone, including the younger generation, the teenagers, and children, making it a family event. “We will have amazing food for all the many days — from Mogul catering from New Jersey, and many more activities throughout the five days,” Raval said.

The Congress will include a section on young physicians with different activities. He said a Singles Match section will also be part of the Congress. “A lot of our physicians have children who are at the age where they are ready to mingle and find a life partner, and we have also included those activities,” Raval said.

In addition to colorful entertainment, exquisite authentic Indian cuisine, esteemed yoga gurus and experts, who are planned to share their wisdom and leading the Wellness Sessions by world renowned speakers and leaders in the industry will offer enlightening sessions to the delegates.

“We invite you to the World Congress in the world’s capital city, New York,” Dr. Achintya Moulik, Chair of AAPI Convention 2024 said. “Dedicated to enhancing patient care through professional development, AAPI at the World Congress is proud to present CMEs that enrich the participants with the latest in healthcare policy, technology and medical advancements.”

It is the first time that AAPI is organizing a World Health Congress. Dr. Samadder said, the idea behind this was to rebrand the annual convention to include physicians from South Asia from every walk of life. “Because at the end of the day, we all need to stand together to address healthcare issues,” she said.

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s World Congress offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. The physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year.

“The annual convention offers extensive academic presentations, recognition of achievements and achievers, and professional networking at the alumni and evening social events,” Dr. Samadder added. For more details on AAPI and the World Congress, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org and www.aapiusa.org

Unlocking the Secrets to Mental Sharpness: Eight Daily Habits for Healthy Aging

Maintaining Cognitive Sharpness: A Guide to Healthy Aging

Maintaining mental acuity as we age isn’t solely reliant on chance. It’s a consequence of our daily routines and lifestyle decisions.

Many marvel at the mental agility of individuals well into their 70s, 80s, and beyond. Yet, it’s no enigma – they adhere to daily practices that foster sharpness.

I’ve observed and aggregated the prevailing habits of such individuals. Surprisingly, it’s never too late to integrate these into your own life.

In this piece, I’ll outline eight daily habits typically embraced by those who retain mental agility well into their senior years. They’re more straightforward than you might imagine.

1) Physical Activity

One of the most prevalent habits among those who sustain mental acuity into their later years? Regular physical activity.

Exercise doesn’t just sustain physical fitness; it profoundly impacts brain health too.

Engaging in physical activities enhances blood circulation to the brain, bolstering cognitive functions. Moreover, it releases neurotransmitters that uplift mood and induce relaxation.

From strolls to yoga, swimming to gardening – the nature of the activity is inconsequential. Consistency is key.

To maintain sharpness as you age, incorporate regular physical activity into your daily regimen. Commence modestly, but commence promptly. It’s never too late to adopt a new habit for your well-being.

2) Continuous Learning

Another habit prevalent among those who maintain mental sharpness is a commitment to lifelong learning.

For instance, my octogenarian aunt, remarkably astute for her age, has always been an avid reader. She commences each day by perusing the newspaper from cover to cover.

Yet, it doesn’t cease there. She actively partakes in book clubs, attends lectures, and even enrolled in an online course last year, delving into ancient history – a topic she’s perennially been captivated by.

What her example underscores is that perpetually learning and stimulating one’s mind isn’t merely beneficial for brain health; it imbues life with interest and excitement.

3) Nutritious Diet

Our dietary choices wield considerable influence over our mental sharpness as we age. Certain foods are known to fortify brain health.

The Mediterranean diet, abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and lean protein, is often correlated with reduced risks of cognitive decline.

It’s not about adhering to stringent dietary regimes, but consistently opting for healthier choices. Incorporating brain-boosting foods like blueberries, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate into our meals can yield significant benefits.

Remember, what you consume doesn’t solely impact your waistline; it profoundly affects your brain health. Make the conscientious decision to nourish your body and mind with wholesome food.

4) Social Engagement

Maintaining social connections is another habit of those who preserve mental sharpness in later years. Human beings thrive on interpersonal interactions.

Whether it involves catching up with friends over coffee, engaging in group activities, or simply conversing with neighbors, regular social interaction invigorates our brains and keeps us mentally stimulated.

Conversely, isolation can exert deleterious effects on both mental and physical well-being. So, keep your social calendar abuzz – it’s beneficial for your brain.

5) Quality Sleep

Obtaining adequate sleep isn’t solely about awakening refreshed; it plays a pivotal role in cognitive health.

During sleep, the brain consolidates memories and eliminates waste products, essentially recharging and resetting.

Individuals who sustain mental sharpness into their later years often prioritize quality sleep as part of their daily routine.

Thus, ensure you’re receiving sufficient sleep each night. Your brain will express gratitude.

6) Mindfulness and Meditation

In today’s frenetic pace, it’s easy to succumb to hustle and bustle, neglecting moments of introspection.

Yet, those who retain mental sharpness as they age often engage in mindfulness or meditation. These practices alleviate stress, enhance concentration, and foster tranquility and well-being.

By grounding ourselves in the present moment, we allow our minds to rejuvenate, fortify, and develop resilience against life’s stressors.

Therefore, allocate a few moments daily to breathe deeply, introspect, and be present. It’s a gift bestowed not only upon oneself but also upon those in one’s orbit.

7) Cognitive Stimulation

Just as physical exercise is vital for maintaining bodily health, cognitive exercises are imperative for brain health.

I recall my grandfather’s daily ritual of solving crosswords. Every evening, he would ensconce himself in his favorite armchair, pencil in hand, deeply engrossed in the puzzle. Even as his eyesight waned, he persisted, switching to larger prints but never relinquishing his beloved crosswords.

Cognitive exercises such as puzzles, board games, or learning a new language challenge our brains, preserving mental agility and staving off cognitive decline.

Embrace the practice of challenging your brain daily. Your future self will be appreciative.

8) Optimistic Outlook

Arguably the most crucial habit is maintaining a positive attitude. Those who retain mental sharpness in their golden years often harbor an optimistic perspective on life.

A positive outlook enhances resilience in confronting stressful situations, mitigates the risk of physical health ailments, and contributes to longevity. It’s a potent tool that shapes our reality and influences mental well-being.

Therefore, endeavor to nurture a positive mindset, even amidst adversity. It transcends mere sentiment; it’s indispensable for cognitive health.

Time Magazine Honors Tata Group and Serum Institute of India in Top 100 Most Influential Companies of 2024

Tata Group and the Serum Institute of India (SII), led by Adar Poonawalla, have been named among the top 100 ‘World’s Most Influential Companies of 2024’ by Time magazine.

Tata Group was featured in the ‘Titans’ category, while Pune-based SII was listed under the ‘Pioneers’ section.

Time magazine’s description of Tata Group reads: “Founded in 1868, the Tata Group long ago cemented its place in India’s economy, its vast portfolio extending from steel, software, watches, subsea cables, and chemicals, to salt, grains, air-conditioners, fashion, and hotels.”

Despite its extensive reach, Tata has faced significant challenges from competitors aggressively pursuing new business opportunities. In 2017, after over a century of family-led management, N. Chandrasekaran, a “high-tech pivot,” was appointed as Chairman of Tata Group. His lack of family ties to the company was particularly notable in a business landscape dominated by family succession.

As Chairman, Chandrasekaran has spearheaded a transformation within the group by focusing on tech manufacturing, AI, and semiconductor chips. The magazine highlighted, “In 2023, it became the first Indian company to assemble iPhones, and is building another plant. In September, Tata announced a partnership with Nvidia to develop an AI cloud in India.”

Tata’s market influence is substantial. In February, the combined market capitalisation of Tata’s companies reached $365 billion, “more than the entire economy of India’s neighbour and rival, Pakistan.”

Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine producer, manufactures 3.5 billion doses annually, including vaccines for measles, polio, and HPV. CEO Adar Poonawalla credits the company’s success to its private ownership. “We’ve always looked at growth not in terms of pricing, but in providing access,” he told Time magazine.

SII has been instrumental in providing 90% of the vaccines for India and has expanded its reach to export vaccines globally. However, the company faced significant challenges with its Covid-19 vaccine production. At the end of 2021, SII ceased manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines and in 2022, destroyed approximately 210 million doses that were in stockpile.

This recognition by Time magazine underscores the influential roles both Tata Group and SII play in the global economy and their respective industries. Tata Group, with its extensive and diverse portfolio, continues to shape India’s economic landscape, while SII’s commitment to vaccine accessibility and its impact on global health are commendable.

Tata Group, established in 1868, has long been a cornerstone of India’s economy, encompassing a wide array of industries including steel, software, watches, subsea cables, chemicals, salt, grains, air-conditioners, fashion, and hotels. Despite its vast portfolio, the group has had to navigate intense competition as rivals aggressively pursued new business ventures.

In a significant shift in 2017, N. Chandrasekaran, described as a “high-tech pivot,” assumed the role of Chairman of Tata Group. His appointment was particularly notable as it marked a departure from the company’s century-old tradition of family-led management, an uncommon move in India’s business sector which is largely governed by family succession.

Under Chandrasekaran’s leadership, Tata Group has undergone a significant transformation with strategic investments in tech manufacturing, AI, and semiconductor chips. The company achieved a milestone in 2023 by becoming the first Indian firm to assemble iPhones, with plans for building another plant underway. Additionally, in September, Tata announced a collaboration with Nvidia to develop an AI cloud in India.

The group’s financial stature is remarkable. In February, Tata’s combined market capitalisation hit $365 billion, surpassing the entire economy of Pakistan, a neighboring and rival country.

On the other hand, the Serum Institute of India stands as the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, producing 3.5 billion doses annually for diseases such as measles, polio, and HPV. CEO Adar Poonawalla attributes the company’s success to its private ownership model. He remarked to Time magazine, “We’ve always looked at growth not in terms of pricing, but in providing access.”

The institute has played a crucial role in India’s healthcare by supplying 90% of the country’s vaccines and has extended its efforts to export vaccines globally. However, SII faced hurdles with its Covid-19 vaccine production. By the end of 2021, the institute had stopped manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines and in 2022, had to destroy around 210 million doses that were in stockpile.

The inclusion of Tata Group and SII in Time magazine’s list of the top 100 ‘World’s Most Influential Companies of 2024’ highlights their significant impact on the global economy and their respective sectors. Tata Group’s expansive and diverse operations continue to shape India’s economic framework, while SII’s dedication to vaccine accessibility has made substantial contributions to global health.

Tata Group’s establishment in 1868 has solidified its integral role in India’s economy, with a broad spectrum of businesses spanning from steel and software to watches, subsea cables, chemicals, salt, grains, air-conditioners, fashion, and hotels. However, it has faced significant competition from rivals eager to capture new market opportunities.

In a pivotal moment in 2017, N. Chandrasekaran, known for his expertise in technology, took the helm as Chairman of Tata Group. His appointment was a break from the norm, as he had no familial ties to the company, which is uncommon in an industry dominated by family-led businesses.

Chandrasekaran’s leadership has been transformative for Tata, emphasizing investments in technology, AI, and semiconductor chip manufacturing. In 2023, Tata Group made history as the first Indian company to assemble iPhones and is currently developing another manufacturing plant. Furthermore, in September, Tata formed a partnership with Nvidia to create an AI cloud in India.

Tata’s market influence is profound, with its combined market capitalisation reaching $365 billion in February, a figure that eclipses the entire economy of Pakistan, India’s rival neighbor.

Simultaneously, the Serum Institute of India, the leading vaccine producer worldwide, manufactures 3.5 billion doses annually for various diseases including measles, polio, and HPV. CEO Adar Poonawalla attributes the company’s success to its private ownership, telling Time magazine, “We’ve always looked at growth not in terms of pricing, but in providing access.”

SII has been pivotal in supplying 90% of India’s vaccines and has extended its reach by exporting vaccines internationally. Nonetheless, the institute faced significant challenges with its Covid-19 vaccine production. By the end of 2021, SII had ceased Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing and in 2022, had to destroy approximately 210 million doses that were stockpiled.

The recognition of Tata Group and SII in Time magazine’s top 100 ‘World’s Most Influential Companies of 2024’ emphasizes their substantial contributions to the global economy and their respective industries. Tata Group continues to influence India’s economic landscape with its diverse business portfolio, while SII’s commitment to vaccine accessibility has had a notable impact on global health.

GOPIO-CT Hosts Virtual Seminar to Promote Mental Health Awareness in South Asian Community

Speakers at the virtual seminar organized by GOPIO-CT to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, Top row, l. to r. Mini Santosh, Japa Daptardar; Bottom row: from l. to r. Dr. Mohini Ranganathan and Dr. Thomas Abraham

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) recently held an engaging virtual seminar in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International and Trustee of GOPIO-CT, opened the seminar by introducing GOPIO and its Connecticut chapter, outlining their various activities and ways to get involved. He then introduced GOPIO-CT President Jaya Daptardar, who spearheaded the organization of this wellness seminar and panel discussion on May 30, 2024, via Zoom. The event received a positive response from the attendees.

The seminar’s theme was “Embracing Wellness and Cultivating Mental Health Awareness,” and it featured a distinguished and diverse panel of speakers. The panelists included Dr. Mohini Ranganathan, an associate professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and a practicing psychiatrist for two decades; Dr. Jaya Daptardar, an Ayurvedic Doctor with 25 years of experience who also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for Bridges Healthcare in Connecticut; and Mini Santosh, an Early Childhood Director with the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut.

Dr. Mohini Ranganathan emphasized that no community is exempt from mental health issues and underscored the importance of having open conversations about mental health. She pointed out the lack of sufficient awareness and dialogue about mental health within the South Asian American community but noted an increasing willingness to learn about it. “It is important not to be shy about discussing behavioral health issues,” she said.

Dr. Jaya Daptardar highlighted that behavioral health challenges are universal and not confined to any particular race, ethnicity, or gender. She stressed the significance of recognizing early signs of behavioral changes and challenges and initiating conversations to seek help. Dr. Daptardar also discussed various therapies and treatments available, as well as simple prevention and wellness methods such as breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga.

Mini Santosh, an educator specializing in early childhood education, spoke about the heightened need for mental health attention, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. She highlighted the stigma surrounding mental health in Indian communities and emphasized the importance of providing support and access to mental health services.

The panel discussion elicited insightful questions from the participants, and the Q&A session provided valuable insights for parents and attendees. It was clear that more panels and community discussions are necessary to raise awareness of mental health in South Asian and Indian communities. GOPIO-CT has a robust platform to offer health and wellness-related seminars for the community.

Over the past 18 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International, has evolved into an active and dynamic organization. It hosts interactive sessions with policymakers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and collaborates with other local organizations to foster a better future. GOPIO-CT serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic, and community service organization, promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs, and contributions of people of Indian origin through various community programs, forums, events, and youth activities. The organization seeks to strengthen partnerships and create ongoing dialogues with local communities.

India’s Record-Breaking Heat: Mungeshpur Hits Potential 52.3°C Amid Severe Heat Wave Warnings

India, one of the hottest countries on Earth, potentially recorded its highest temperature ever on Wednesday. A weather station in Mungeshpur, a suburb of New Delhi, recorded a temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius (approximately 126 degrees Fahrenheit), as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

This unprecedented reading is currently under scrutiny by the government. Authorities are evaluating the data, noting that this temperature is an outlier compared to other measurements in the region. They suggest the possibility of an error in the sensor or an influence from unique local conditions.

The IMD reported that this temperature was more than 9 degrees Celsius higher than anticipated. The unusually high temperatures have been attributed to hot winds originating from northwestern India, as reported by New Delhi Television (NDTV), a partner of ABC News.

Previously, the highest recorded temperature at the Mungeshpur station was 49.2 degrees Celsius (120.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in 2002. The record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in India was set in Rajasthan in 2016, reaching 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the IMD.

In response to the forecast, the India Meteorological Department issued a severe heat wave warning for the region. In India, heat waves are classified as “severe” when temperatures exceed the norm by 6.5 degrees Celsius or more.

A red alert health notice was also issued in New Delhi, warning of a “very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages” among the vulnerable groups in the region’s population, which totals around 30 million.

Local government officials have imposed restrictions on water usage due to a shortage, threatening fines for non-essential water use, such as washing cars. Those caught using water unnecessarily could face fines of 2,000 rupees (approximately $24), as reported by Reuters.

The IMD also forecasted rain for Wednesday evening in New Delhi, which could potentially increase humidity levels.

India is renowned for its hot climate, characterized by tropical conditions and prolonged summers. These early-season high temperatures could signal an intensely hot summer ahead.

Copernicus, Europe’s climate change service, has recorded 11 consecutive months of record-warm temperatures, a trend likely to persist through May.

Climate scientists link rising global temperatures to more frequent and prolonged heat waves. A study by the World Weather Attribution found that the extreme heat experienced across Asia in late April was 45 times more likely due to climate change.

The exceptional temperature recorded in Mungeshpur stands out as a significant anomaly. The IMD’s ongoing review aims to verify the accuracy of the data. “The temperature soared to more than 9 degrees Celsius higher than expected,” highlights the severity of this heat event.

Local reports suggest that the hot winds from northwestern India played a crucial role in driving the temperatures up beyond typical expectations. NDTV corroborates this by reporting that “hot winds from northwestern India contributed to the hotter-than-expected temperatures.”

The severity of the heat wave in New Delhi prompted immediate action from the government. The red alert notice underscores the extreme risk to public health, particularly emphasizing the potential for heat illness and heat stroke among vulnerable populations. The scale of the alert reflects the urgency of the situation, given New Delhi’s large population.

In addition to health warnings, the government has taken steps to manage the strain on water resources. With a significant portion of the population potentially affected by water shortages, the authorities have implemented stringent measures to curb non-essential water use. Reuters reported on the enforcement of fines to deter wastage, stating, “Local government officials set limits on water usage, citing a shortage, and threatened to fine those using water unnecessarily.”

The forecasted rain for New Delhi introduces the potential for increased humidity, which could compound the discomfort and health risks associated with the high temperatures. The IMD’s prediction of rain suggests a dynamic weather pattern that may offer temporary relief from the heat but could also introduce new challenges.

India’s climate, already predisposed to high temperatures, faces an increasingly uncertain future as global warming intensifies. The record temperatures reported by Copernicus are a stark reminder of the ongoing trend towards warmer global conditions. “Copernicus, Europe’s climate change service, has recorded 11 consecutive months of record-warm temperatures,” illustrating the persistent nature of this trend.

The link between climate change and the increasing frequency of heat waves is well-established among scientists. The World Weather Attribution study provides a quantifiable measure of this connection, indicating that the recent extreme heat in Asia was significantly influenced by climate change. The study’s findings that the sweltering conditions were “45 times more likely because of climate change” emphasize the profound impact of human activities on weather patterns.

As the situation in Mungeshpur is closely monitored, it underscores the broader implications of climate change for regions already vulnerable to high temperatures. The potential record-setting temperature serves as a critical data point in understanding the trajectory of climate impacts. The IMD’s verification process will be crucial in confirming the legitimacy of this extraordinary measurement and understanding the underlying causes of such extreme weather events.

The reported 52.3 degrees Celsius in Mungeshpur highlights a significant climatic event in India, necessitating careful examination and response from authorities. The combination of immediate health risks, water scarcity, and the broader context of climate change illustrates the multifaceted challenges posed by extreme heat. As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and intensity of such events are likely to increase, demanding adaptive measures and heightened awareness of the impacts of climate change.

Fiji Water Recalls 1.9 Million Bottles Due to Elevated Manganese Levels and Bacterial Contamination

Natural Waters of Viti Limited has initiated a voluntary recall of 78,533 cases of Fiji Natural Artesian Water due to testing that revealed elevated levels of manganese and three types of bacteria, according to a report by the United States Department of Food and Agriculture (FDA).

The recall pertains to approximately 1.9 million 500-milliliter bottles of water, sold in 24-pack cases. These products were available on Amazon.com from February 1, 2024, through March 3, 2024. The affected products can be identified by the following information:

– Case UPC Code: 6 32565 00004 3

– Bottle UPC Code: 6 32565 00001 2

– Dates: November 11, 2023, November 12, 2023, November 13, 2023, November 24, 2023, and November 25, 2023

This recall updates a previous recall from March, which had not posed adverse health or safety risks to the public. The FDA classifies this recall as Class III, indicating that the products violate federal regulations but are unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.

Manganese is an essential mineral for the body. While no harm from manganese in food and beverages has been demonstrated in studies, some individuals have developed manganese toxicity from consuming water with extremely high manganese levels.

Consumers who purchased the recalled product are being notified by telephone, but those with questions or concerns can contact the FIJI Water hotline at 1-866-406-4149.

This recall affects a significant number of water bottles sold on Amazon.com over a one-month period. The affected bottles are easily identifiable by their UPC codes and specific production dates. The company has been proactive in reaching out to consumers to inform them of the recall and to address any potential concerns.

The FDA’s classification of this recall as Class III highlights that while the products do not meet federal standards, they are not expected to cause serious health issues. However, the presence of elevated manganese levels and bacteria in the water prompted the recall as a precautionary measure.

Manganese is naturally occurring and necessary for human health, involved in bone formation, blood clotting, and reducing inflammation. Normally, manganese is found in various foods such as nuts, legumes, seeds, tea, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables. While manganese toxicity is rare, it can occur if a person is exposed to high levels over a long period, particularly through drinking water. Symptoms of manganese toxicity may include neurological issues such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and in severe cases, cognitive impairment.

The discovery of bacteria in the water is another reason for the recall. While the specific types of bacteria found were not disclosed, the presence of any bacteria in bottled water intended for human consumption is a concern. Bacteria in drinking water can lead to gastrointestinal issues and other infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Natural Waters of Viti Limited has taken the necessary steps to address the contamination. By recalling the affected products, the company aims to protect consumer health and maintain the integrity of its brand. The company’s decision to voluntarily recall the products demonstrates a commitment to consumer safety and regulatory compliance.

Customers are encouraged to check their purchases against the provided UPC codes and production dates to determine if they have any of the recalled bottles. If so, they should dispose of the water and contact FIJI Water for further instructions or potential refunds. The company’s hotline is available for consumers who need more information or assistance regarding the recall.

This recall underscores the importance of regular testing and quality control in the bottled water industry. Ensuring that products meet safety standards is crucial to preventing potential health risks. While this recall is classified as low risk by the FDA, it serves as a reminder for companies to maintain stringent quality checks and for consumers to stay informed about the safety of the products they purchase.

Natural Waters of Viti Limited’s voluntary recall of Fiji Natural Artesian Water due to elevated levels of manganese and bacterial contamination is a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety. The recall affects nearly 1.9 million bottles sold in a specific timeframe, identifiable by their UPC codes and production dates. The FDA’s Class III classification indicates that the products are unlikely to cause serious health issues, but the company is taking no chances in addressing the contamination. Consumers with the recalled product should contact the FIJI Water hotline for assistance. This recall highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in the bottled water industry to ensure the highest safety standards for consumers.

Americans Brace for Hefty Water Rate Hikes Amidst Push for PFAS Removal

In return for purer water, Americans across the nation may soon face substantial financial burdens. Water systems are cautioning residents about significant rate increases as they gear up to implement technology to filter out harmful chemicals known as PFAS.

Utilities from South Florida to upstate New York are alerting customers that they might experience considerable price hikes following the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate to eliminate these substances, linked to various cancers and other illnesses, from their systems. The EPA recently announced its requirement for utilities with water systems containing elevated levels of six types of PFAS to eradicate them from the water.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, represent a group of thousands of chemicals utilized in the production of nonstick and waterproof products as well as firefighting foam. These substances have become pervasive in the environment, persisting for extended periods without breaking down.

Exposure to these persistent chemicals has been associated with heightened risks of prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers, compromised immune systems, elevated cholesterol, and developmental issues in children. Now, utilities nationwide face the unprecedented task of removing them from drinking water to mitigate customer exposure. However, this endeavor comes at a cost.

Broward County officials in South Florida cautioned residents about potential drastic water rate increases. Alan Garcia, director of Broward County Water and Wastewater Services, indicated that average monthly water bills, currently around $26, could potentially double or triple as the county addresses PFAS filtration. Yet, the exact extent of the rate increase remains uncertain. With 66,000 accounts, representing an estimated 230,000 individuals, the utility is bracing for substantial changes.

Similarly, officials in Fort Worth, Texas, foresee repercussions for ratepayers in light of the recent EPA regulation. Chris Harder, Fort Worth Water Director, acknowledged the anticipated expenses and their impact on ratepayers, emphasizing efforts to secure federal funding support to alleviate the burden.

Reports from water suppliers in the Buffalo, N.Y., area also suggest that PFAS filtration efforts could influence rates, signaling broader implications beyond specific locales. According to Chris Moody, regulatory technical manager at the American Water Works Association, numerous systems nationwide may face rate increases as a consequence of the rule.

While it remains unclear which water systems will necessitate PFAS filtration, utilities have a few years to conduct tests to determine if their chemical levels surpass federal thresholds. Should they exceed these thresholds, utilities must install filtration technology, indicating that communities warned of rate increases may only represent the beginning. The EPA estimates that approximately 6 percent to 10 percent of water systems will ultimately require action, though Moody believes this figure may underestimate the extent of contamination nationwide.

Much of the financial strain will stem from the installation and maintenance costs of filters capable of eliminating these toxic substances. Despite recent settlements in a major class-action lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers, which could potentially offset treatment costs, Moody doubts these settlements will suffice.

He anticipates that any financial restitution will likely cover only a fraction of the overall expenses. While the added costs pose significant financial burdens, they offer the crucial benefit of reducing communities’ exposure to harmful substances. Garcia acknowledged the importance of PFAS treatment, characterizing it as a necessary measure. Nonetheless, he lamented that communities are bearing the brunt of companies’ past PFAS usage.

Global Life Expectancy to Rise by 2050, But More Years in Poor Health Expected, Study Reveals

A study released on Friday predicts a significant rise in global life expectancy by 2050, despite current geopolitical, metabolic, and environmental challenges. The study, derived from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021 and published in The Lancet journal, forecasts an increase of 4.9 years for men and 4.2 years for women.

However, the study also indicates that people will likely spend more of these additional years in poor health. This is primarily due to a shift from communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs) to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes.

According to the research, global life expectancy is expected to rise to 78.1 years by 2050, representing a 4.5-year increase from current figures. Additionally, global healthy life expectancy (HALE) — the average number of years a person can expect to live in good health — is projected to increase to 67.4 years by 2050, an improvement of 2.6 years.

“In addition to an increase in life expectancy overall, we have found that the disparity in life expectancy across geographies will lessen,” said Chris Murray, Chair of Health Metrics Sciences at the University of Washington and Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

Murray emphasized that the most significant opportunity to reduce the global disease burden lies in policy interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating behavioral and metabolic risk factors. “There is immense opportunity ahead for us to influence the future of global health by getting ahead of these rising metabolic and dietary risk factors, particularly those related to behavioral and lifestyle factors like high blood sugar, high body mass index, and high blood pressure,” he stated.

The findings underscore the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases, which are poised to become the predominant health challenges globally. The research highlights the need for robust health policies that focus on preventive measures to curb the rise of these conditions.

The shift from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases marks a significant transition in global health trends. While advancements in medical science and public health have led to a decline in communicable diseases, the increasing prevalence of NCDs presents new challenges. These diseases are often linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and exposure to tobacco and alcohol.

This trend underscores the necessity for comprehensive health strategies that encompass preventive care, early detection, and management of NCDs. Policymakers and health professionals must prioritize interventions that target these risk factors to improve health outcomes and reduce the disease burden.

The anticipated rise in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy indicates progress in global health but also highlights the need for sustained efforts to address health disparities. The reduction in geographical disparities in life expectancy suggests that more regions will experience improvements in health outcomes, but it also calls for targeted efforts to support areas that lag behind.

Murray’s call for policy interventions reflects a broader consensus among health experts on the importance of addressing behavioral and metabolic risk factors. Effective policies can lead to significant health improvements and contribute to the overall well-being of populations.

The study’s projections serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in global health and the critical role of preventive measures in addressing these challenges. As the global population continues to grow and age, the burden of non-communicable diseases is expected to increase, necessitating proactive and comprehensive health strategies.

While the projected increase in global life expectancy by 2050 is a positive development, it comes with the caveat that people will spend more years in poor health due to the rise of non-communicable diseases. Addressing these diseases through effective policy interventions targeting behavioral and metabolic risk factors is essential for improving global health outcomes. The study highlights the need for a concerted effort to tackle the emerging health challenges and ensure that the gains in life expectancy translate into better quality of life for all.

Nandita Das Joins Global Film and Arts Luminaries to Judge WHO’s 5th Health for All Film Festival, Celebrating Powerful Health Stories

Nandita Das, a prominent Indian actor, filmmaker, and social advocate, recently participated as a juror for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 5th Health for All Film Festival. This esteemed panel also included actors Sharon Stone and Alfonso Herrera, filmmaker and producer Apolline Traoré, Olympic swimmer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini, multidisciplinary artist Mário Macilau, and film director Paul Jerndal. The winners were announced on May 26.

Entering its fifth year, the Health for All Film Festival received nearly 1,000 submissions from filmmakers worldwide. These films addressed critical issues such as gender equity, war trauma, burnout, climate change, and healthy aging. A shortlist of 61 films was then evaluated by the distinguished panel of professionals, artists, and activists.

“WHO’s Health for All Film Festival gathers many powerful stories about a variety of health experiences from people from all over the world,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Listening to the stories of people affected by health issues helps us to understand people’s lived experiences and move towards achieving better health for all.”

At the event in Geneva on May 26, awards were presented in seven different categories, with four films receiving special mentions from the jury.

From the official selection at the WHO Health For All Film Festival, a “Grand Prix” was awarded in each of the three main competition categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health Emergencies, and Better Health and Well-Being, reflecting WHO’s Triple Billion Targets. Additionally, four special prizes were awarded for a student-produced film, a film on physical activity and health, a film focusing on migrants and refugees’ health, and a very short film.

This year’s festival saw mental health as a significant theme among the winning entries. One of the standout films was a moving short from France titled “Mom & Me, and that…,” which highlights the emotional and practical challenges faced by a 14-year-old girl living alone with her mother, who is battling cancer.

Nandita Das, who has served twice on the jury of the Cannes Film Festival and has acted in over 40 feature films in 10 different languages, expressed her enthusiasm for being part of the festival. “I am delighted to be a juror for WHO’s Health For All Film Festival,” she said. “Films can create awareness, challenge prejudices, ask uncomfortable questions and tell stories that need to be told. Health is personally and collectively, our right and responsibility. So to celebrate films that focus on these issues is important. I am glad that l have the opportunity to announce the winners of the 5th edition of this annual event.”

Das’s filmography includes notable works such as “Fire,” “Earth,” “Bawandar,” “Kannathil Muthamittal,” “Azhagi,” “Kamli,” and “Before The Rains.” Her directorial debut, “Firaaq,” premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and traveled to over 50 festivals, earning more than 20 awards.

Additionally, Das holds the distinction of being the first Indian to be inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the International Women’s Forum in Washington, DC. She was recognized in 2011 for her “sustained contributions to the arts and to the world as one of the most gripping cinema arts leaders of our time.”

The WHO Health for All Film Festival continues to serve as a vital platform for highlighting global health issues through the powerful medium of film. This year’s festival reinforced the importance of storytelling in raising awareness and promoting understanding of health challenges worldwide. The diverse array of films and the inclusion of mental health themes reflect a growing recognition of the complex and multifaceted nature of health and well-being. By showcasing these films, the festival not only honors the creativity and dedication of filmmakers but also inspires collective action towards better health outcomes for all.

The festival’s impact extends beyond mere entertainment, encouraging a deeper engagement with pressing health issues and fostering a global conversation about health equity and the shared responsibility to achieve it. The stories told through these films resonate on a personal and universal level, bridging gaps in understanding and compassion. The participation of esteemed jurors like Nandita Das underscores the significance of the festival and its mission to illuminate the myriad health experiences of people around the world.

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