The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the ban on adverts for less healthy food and sugary drinks is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year.

It is also expected to reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around 2 billion pounds in benefits for the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) over time.

“By restricting adverts for junk food before 9 pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children,” said Ashley Dalton, the UK’s Minister for Health.

“We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it,” she said.

The DHSC claims evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses.

According to official statistics, 22.1 per cent of children in England are living with either being overweight or obese at the start of primary school, and this rises to 35.8 per cent by the time they leave. And, tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children, typically ages five to nine, in the UK.

“These new restrictions will help reduce children’s exposure to the most problematic adverts and mark real progress towards a healthier food environment,” said Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the UK’s Obesity Health Alliance.

“For the government to achieve its ambition of raising the healthiest generation ever, this is an important policy as part of a broader approach to preventing obesity-related ill health. Continuing to strengthen the rules over time will help ensure these protections remain effective,” she said.

Food and drink companies were on notice for the ban as the restrictions came in on a voluntary basis in October 2025, ahead of them taking legal effect this week.

Previous interventions, such as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, resulted in businesses reformulating to make products healthier, and the measures coming into effect today have already had a similar impact, driving the development and promotion of healthier options, the DHSC said.

The Soft Drink Industry Levy is now set to be extended to cover more products, including sugary milk-based drinks, and the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 is to be banned as part of the government’s health drive.

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Researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, studied donated human hearts and found that diabetes disrupts how heart cells produce energy, weakens the muscle’s structure, and triggers a buildup of stiff, fibrous tissue that makes it harder for the heart to pump.

These effects were most pronounced in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy– the leading cause of heart failure.

The findings, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, can help explain why people living with diabetes face a much higher risk of developing heart failure.

“We’ve long seen a correlation between heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but this is the first research to jointly look at diabetes and ischemic heart disease and uncover a unique molecular profile in people with both conditions,” said Dr. Benjamin Hunter, from the School of Medical Sciences.

“Our findings show that diabetes alters how the heart produces energy, maintains its structure under stress, and contracts to pump blood. Using advanced microscopy techniques, we were able to see direct changes to the heart muscle as a result of this, in the form of a build-up of fibrous tissue,” he added.

To better understand how diabetes affects the heart, the researchers studied heart tissue from both transplant recipients and healthy individuals. This direct examination allowed them to see how diabetes influences heart biology in real human patients rather than relying solely on animal models.

The results showed that diabetes is more than a co-morbidity for heart disease. It actively accelerates heart failure by interfering with essential biological processes and reshaping the heart muscle at the microscopic level.

“The metabolic effect of diabetes in the heart is not fully understood in humans,” said Hunter.

In healthy hearts, energy is mainly generated from fats, with glucose and ketones also contributing. Previous research has shown that glucose use increases during heart failure. However, diabetes interferes with this process by reducing how sensitive heart cells are to insulin.

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This stark reality, which is supported by national and global evidence, was highlighted during the curtain raiser event of the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, ANCIPS 2026, to be held from January 28-31 at Yashobhoomi in Delhi.

Mental health experts warned that despite advances in treatment and increasing awareness, the majority of people with mental illness continue to remain outside the formal healthcare system.

Data from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) indicates that India faces one of the widest treatment gaps in the world, with over 85 per cent of people suffering from common mental disorders not seeking or receiving treatment.

In a global context, more than 70 pc of individuals with mental illness do not receive care from trained healthcare professionals, and in many low-income countries, fewer than 10 per cent of those in need actually access necessary treatment.

India, with its vast population and limited mental health infrastructure, remains particularly vulnerable to this challenge.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Savita Malhotra, President of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), emphasised that mental illnesses are among the most treatable health conditions if identified early and managed appropriately.

“Mental health disorders are highly treatable, yet the majority of patients in India continue to suffer in silence. The fact that over 80 per cent of people do not receive timely psychiatric care reflects deep-rooted stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate integration of mental health services into primary healthcare.

“This is not just a medical concern; it is a social, economic, and developmental issue that demands urgent national attention,” she said.

Experts at the event outlined several interlinked reasons behind the long delays in seeking psychiatric care, which often range from several months to even years.

Social stigma and discrimination remain major barriers, as individuals fear being labelled, judged, or marginalised by family, workplace and society.

Lack of awareness further compounds the problem, with many people failing to recognise early symptoms of mental illness as medical conditions requiring professional help.

Another significant contributor to the treatment gap is the acute shortage of mental health professionals in India.

Dr Nimesh G Desai, Chairperson, Organising Committee and former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), highlighted the serious consequences of delayed or absent treatment.

When psychiatric care is delayed, the illness often becomes more severe and chronic, leading to greater disability, family distress, loss of productivity and a significantly increased risk of self-harm and suicide, he said.

“Mental health must be addressed with the same urgency and seriousness as physical health. Strengthening community-based services, training primary care doctors, and improving referral systems are essential steps to bridge this unacceptable treatment gap,” Desai said.

Highlighting the role of the upcoming national conference, Dr Deepak Raheja, Organising Secretary of ANCIPS Delhi and Director, Hope Care India, said that that integration of mental health services into primary healthcare, increased budgetary allocation, expansion of the mental health workforce and sustained nationwide awareness campaigns are urgently needed to reduce stigma and improve access.

“ANCIPS 2026 Delhi will serve as a vital platform for mental health professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to come together and develop practical, evidence-based solutions to improve access, affordability, and acceptability of mental healthcare. Our collective aim is to ensure that no individual is denied mental health support due to fear, stigma, or lack of resources,” Raheja said.

The burden of untreated mental illness is particularly severe among vulnerable groups. Studies indicate that nearly 80 per cent of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental disorders in certain regions do not receive any form of treatment, affecting their education, emotional well-being, and long-term life outcomes.

Similarly, close to 84 per cent of older adults with mental health conditions in India remain untreated, often due to neglect, lack of awareness, social isolation, or the mistaken belief that psychological symptoms are a normal part of ageing.

Delayed treatment has far-reaching consequences not only for individuals and families but also for society and the economy. Untreated mental illness contributes to increased morbidity and mortality, higher rates of substance use disorders, unemployment, family breakdown and suicide, experts said.

While recent initiatives such as the Tele-MANAS national mental health helpline, expansion of the District Mental Health Programme and greater policy focus on mental health are positive steps, IPS experts stressed that these efforts must be scaled up substantially to meet the growing demand.

The IPS emphasised that mental health must be recognised as an integral component of overall health, deserving the same priority, investment and urgency as physical healthcare.

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According to the advisory, cold-related injuries disproportionately affect vulnerable sections of society. It states that nearly 50 percent of such injuries occur among people aged above 60 years, while around 75 percent of the cases are reported among males. The advisory further notes that about 20 percent of cold-related incidents take place inside homes.

Medical experts at the college warned that hypothermia and frostbite are the most common and serious risks during extreme cold. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while frostbite can damage body tissues within as little as 30 minutes of exposure to wind chill temperatures of minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The advisory also cautioned against other cold-related hazards including carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper use of heating devices, power failures, frozen water pipes, and vehicle breakdowns during severe weather conditions.

As part of preventive measures, people have been advised to stay indoors during peak cold hours and regularly check on elderly persons and other vulnerable individuals. The advisory recommends insulating household water pipes, keeping safe emergency heating arrangements ready, and avoiding the use of candles to reduce the risk of fire.

Citizens have also been urged to carry winter survival kits in their vehicles, comprising blankets, flashlights, snacks, drinking water, and a fully charged mobile phone. Dressing in layers of warm clothing, covering the head and mouth, and using mittens instead of gloves has also been advised.

In addition, vehicle owners have been asked to ensure proper winterization, including the use of antifreeze, maintaining correct tyre pressure, and checking wipers and other essential components.

Doctors at the medical college emphasized that prevention of hypothermia and frostbite is far easier than treatment, and appealed to the public to remain vigilant and strictly follow safety guidelines during the ongoing cold wave. [KNT]

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Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing tangible progress in maternal and child health, positioning J&K among the better-performing regions in the country. For instance, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the Union Territory stands at 47 per 100,000 live births, substantially lower than the national average of 88. This achievement is attributed to improved institutional delivery care, wider availability of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and blood services, along with strengthened referral transport systems under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Jammu & Kashmir has also performed commendably in infant and neonatal health indicators. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 10 while the early NMR stands at 6, both significantly better than the national averages of 19 and 13, respectively. The Under-5 Mortality Rate in the UT is 15, compared to the national average of 29 while the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 14, against the national average of 25.

The Union Territory has further achieved impressive immunization outcomes with full immunization coverage reaching 96.5 per cent, placing J&K among the highest-performing regions in the country. This progress is attributed to intensified routine immunization drives and robust monitoring mechanisms.

In another significant step, Jammu & Kashmir is introducing the HPV vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 14–15 years, reinforcing its preventive healthcare framework.

These achievements reflect the Union Territory’s sustained commitment towards strengthening the healthcare delivery and position Jammu & Kashmir among the better-performing States and Union Territories in the country.

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The doctors said this as social media was recently flooded with viral posts claiming that an 11th-grade student from Amroha district in Uttar Pradesh, admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi in December, died due to excessive consumption of junk food.

While the girl’s family asserted that she was suffering from an intestinal infection that ultimately led to her death, media reports revealed that the girl was facing multiple health issues, including severe typhoid and complaints of tuberculosis.

Doctors at the AIIMS declared that her death resulted from cardiac arrest.

“While habitual excessive consumption leads to obesity, fatty liver, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, it is definitely not a cause for perforation of the intestine,” Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Ex-President of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, told IANS.

“In a young Indian adult, in the absence of trauma, the main causes of intestinal perforation are duodenal ulcer, typhoid, tuberculosis, or severe appendicitis. The two main causes of ulcers of the stomach and duodenum are Helicobacter pylori infection and excessive intake of painkillers,” he added.

Eating fast food is known to increase weight gain, cause inadequate nutritional intake, digestive issues, energy crashes, and mood swings. These can contribute to obesity, diabetes and hypertension, and poor mental health, and more — all of which can lead to mortality in the long term.

Studies have shown that fast food consumption is associated with “all-cause mortality,” meaning a higher overall risk of dying early. Unhealthy diets, including fast food, contribute to approximately 1.1 crore deaths worldwide annually.

“Regular eating of fast food can silently damage the heart, liver, and blood vessels. It leads to obesity, high sugar and high BP, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke and sudden death — even in young people who appear otherwise healthy,” Prof . Dr Naresh Bansal, Dept of Gastro, at a leading Delhi-based hospital, told IANS.

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Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, has long challenged clinicians with its silent progression. This breakthrough offers unprecedented real-time visualisation of aqueous outflow pathways, enabling surgeons to deliver precise, targeted interventions and significantly improve patient outcomes.

As the first-of-its-kind in the country, the integration of 3D Flex Aqueous Angiography with iStent, a Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery sets a new benchmark in glaucoma care, ensuring enhanced intraoperative imaging, and better long-term results. For the Armed Forces community, it represents not only a medical milestone but also a strategic leap in safeguarding vision and operational readiness.

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The decision was taken following a recommendation by ICMR, the apex health research body of India, it said.

“The Central government is satisfied that the use of all oral formulations containing Nimesulide above 100 mg in immediate release dosage form is likely to involve risk to human beings and that safer alternatives to the said drug are available,” the notification issued on Monday said.

It stated that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest to prohibit the manufacture, sale and distribution of the drug in the country for human use.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the Centre, hereby prohibits the manufacture, sale and distribution of the drug, with immediate effect,” the notification said.

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“Delay can be fatal,” the advisory highlights. It’s details how extreme cold can prove deadly for vulnerable individuals. It urges immediate preventive steps and awareness of warning signs.

Medical experts note that cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure and forcing the heart to work harder. This phenomenon is linked to higher rates of heart attacks globally.

Who is Most at Risk?

Individuals with known heart disease or previous heart attack or stroke.

Patients with hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease.

Elderly persons and smokers.

Those who abruptly increase physical activity during cold mornings.

Preventive Measures

Dress warmly, particularly protecting the chest, head and extremities.

Avoid early-morning exposure to extreme cold.

Continue all prescribed heart medications without interruption.

Monitor blood pressure regularly, as winter readings tend to rise.

Exercise moderately and avoid sudden strenuous exertion.

Seek prompt treatment for respiratory infections, which can trigger cardiac events.

“Timely medical intervention saves lives. Waiting for symptoms to pass can have irreversible consequences,” the advisory stresses.

People with heart disease are advised to keep emergency contact numbers readily available, seek immediate medical care at the nearest hospital. Most winter-related cardiac emergencies are preventable, the advisory states.

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The team from the Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences explained that circadian disruptions change the structure of mammary glands and weaken the immune system’s defenses, all the while pointing toward a new way to counteract these effects.

“Cancer keeps time. If your internal clock is disrupted, cancer takes advantage — but now we’ve found a new way to fight back,” said Dr. Tapasree Roy Sarkar, Co-Director of the Center for Statistical Bioinformatics at Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences.

Circadian rhythms — our internal 24-hour clock — do far more than regulate sleep. They help coordinate hormone release, tissue repair, and the immune system’s surveillance.

When disrupted, the body’s natural defenses begin to falter.

“The circadian rhythm orchestrates how our tissues function, and how our immune system recognizes danger,” Sarkar said. “When that rhythm is disrupted, the consequences can be seriously dangerous.”

To investigate these effects, the researchers used two groups of genetically engineered models that develop aggressive breast cancer.

One group lived on a normal day-night schedule, while the other lived on a disrupted light cycle that threw off their internal clocks.

The findings, published in the journal Oncogene, showed that typical models develop cancer around the 22-week marker. The circadian-disrupted group, however, showed signs of cancer much earlier — at almost 18 weeks.

Tumours in circadian-disrupted models were also far more aggressive and far more likely to spread to the lungs, a key indicator of poor outcomes in breast cancer patients.

At the same time, disruption of the models’ internal clock suppressed immune defenses, creating a more hospitable environment for cancer growth.

“It wasn’t just that tumours grew faster,” Sarkar said. “The immune system was actively restrained, creating more favourable conditions for cancer cells to survive and spread.”

But the effects weren’t just limited to the tumours themselves. The researchers also found that long-term circadian disruption changed the makeup of healthy breast tissue, making it more vulnerable to cancer.

“We observed clear changes in the morphology of the mammary glands, the milk-producing tissue of the breast,” Sarkar said.

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