Our Highlights
Global Happenings
Haiti is facing a severe child nutrition crisis, with nearly one in thirteen children under five suffering from acute malnutrition. The situation is driven by food insecurity, poverty, displacement and limited access to healthcare. Urgent nutrition support, including screening, treatment and access to nutritious food, is essential to prevent further deterioration.
India and Sri Lanka have strengthened collaboration on food safety through knowledge exchange and sharing of technical expertise. The initiative focuses on improving food safety systems, strengthening regulatory practices, enhancing laboratory capacities, and promoting evidence-based approaches. Such cooperation aims to protect consumers, improve food quality, and strengthen national food safety frameworks.
A new WHO and UNICEF report reveals significant gaps in essential water, sanitation, hygiene and environmental health services in health-care facilities worldwide. Reportedly, only four in ten facilities meet basic sanitation standards and less than six in ten achieve basic environmental cleaning standards such patient rooms and wards, operating theatres, examination and treatment areas, toilets and sanitation facilities, leaving patients and health workers exposed to preventable health risks.
Social Stream
Reproductive Health and Young People
Reproductive health information is an important part of the overall health and well-being of young people. Adolescence and youth are critical stages marked by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes, when individuals begin making choices that can shape their future health. Yet, many young people still lack accurate, evidence-based information about puberty, menstrual health, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, and reproductive rights. Misinformation and limited communication around sexual and reproductive health can contribute to misconceptions and increase vulnerability to unintended pregnancies, STIs, and unhealthy practices.
This discussion is open on COPHI (Community of Population Health Informatics), a discussion forum anchored in the SMAART framework and envisioned by Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD,MBBS,MPH
Share your views on:
• How can young people access reliable and age-appropriate reproductive health information?
• What role can schools, families, and communities play in improving reproductive health awareness?
• How can we address sociocultural barriers and misinformation around sexual and reproductive health in India?
Share your experiences, perspectives, and evidence-informed ideas on building a more informed and empowered generation.
Join the discussion now: https://smaartlab.org/discussion-board/health-literacy/youth-knowledge-about-reproductive-health/
#ReproductiveHealth #YouthHealth #AdolescentHealth #PublicHealth #COPHI #PopulationHealth #SMAART #HealthEducation #SexualHealth #HealthAwareness
Sep 2
Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society (FHTS), University of Memphis School of Public Health, and Zila Parishad, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, under a joint collaborative initiative, are bringing the Model of Public Health Education to High Schools by using the Public Health in Action curriculum and establishing public health clubs across 50 high schools in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. This first-of-its-kind initiative is engaging more than 1,500 students as public health ambassadors across all 12 blocks of Kolhapur.
Building on the previous modules, the fourth curriculum session, focused on storytelling with public health data, was delivered across 42 schools in Kolhapur. The session was conducted by Dr. Rashmi Nirhale, Public Health Outreach Specialist at FHTS, entirely in Marathi, helping students connect with the concepts in a language they`re most comfortable with, while learning how data can be shaped into narratives that communicate public health issues effectively.
The initiative furthers the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 and reflects how public health in action can support the Maharashtra state government`s `My Village Healthy Village` initiative, working to address adolescent health challenges such as unhealthy eating, environmental pollution, physical inactivity, emotional well-being, mental health, and social media and mobile addiction.
#PublicHealth #PublicHealthInAction #FHTS #Kolhapur #Maharashtra
#NEP2020 #MyVillageHealthyVillage #YouthLeadership #PublicHealthEducation #NationBuilding #CommunityHealth
Aug 31
We are delighted to announce that two of our students have secured the @icmrorganisation -STS Studentship 2026!
They are dental students from @sudha_rustagi, pursuing Fundamentals of Operational Research in Public Health at @smaart.fhts. Their success is a testament to their dedication and the structured mentoring, research guidance, and capacity-building sessions provided throughout the journey.
Congratulations to Arpita Choudhary and Amaira Khurana your hard work and passion for research are truly commendable! Wishing the awardees a successful and fulfilling research experience ahead!
#PublicHealth #ICMR #STSProgram #ResearchTraining #StudentSuccess
Aug 26
How can data and technology transform the way we approach health and nutrition?
Join our Infosession on Health & Nutrition Informatics to explore the growing role of informatics in strengthening healthcare, nutrition, and public health decision-making.
Date: September 5 , 2026
Time: 11:00 PM – 12:00 PM
Mode: Online
Infosession Objectives:
• Understand the scope and importance of health and nutrition informatics in today’s public health landscape
• Get an overview of the certificate program structure and learning approach
• Explore career opportunities in the field
Whether you’re a student, healthcare professional, or public health enthusiast, this session will guide you toward building impactful skills in a growing field.
Registration link: https://fhts.ac.in/event/?id=69479
Register now and take the first step toward advancing your career!
#HealthInformatics #NutritionInformatics #PublicHealth #Infosession #LearningOpportunity #HealthcareCareers #FHTS #SMAARTLab
Aug 25
