Our Highlights
Global Happenings
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.
ICMR and UNICEF have called for strengthening nutrition education from Classes 1–12 to address the growing burden of childhood obesity in India. The recommendation emphasizes equipping children with practical knowledge about healthy eating, balanced diets, physical activity, and informed food choices. Schools can play a crucial role in shaping lifelong healthy behaviours by integrating age-appropriate nutrition education into the curriculum.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to strengthen breastfeeding support through resilient health systems, skilled counselling, and supportive workplace and community policies. Improving breastfeeding practices helps ensure every child receives optimal nutrition, boosts immunity, supports healthy growth and development, and reduces the risk of illness and malnutrition from the earliest stages of life.
Social Stream
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
Eye Strain Caused by Prolonged Mobile Usage
With mobile phones becoming an essential part of communication, learning, entertainment, and work, prolonged screen exposure is increasingly affecting eye health particularly among young people.
Digital eye strain can cause eye fatigue, dryness, burning, redness, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing. Reduced blinking, prolonged close-up viewing, poor posture, and improper screen distance can further increase discomfort.
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 prolonged mobile usage is affecting eye health among youth
• Simple habits that can help prevent digital eye strain
• The role of schools, families, and communities in promoting healthier screen habits
Share your experiences and evidence-informed perspectives on protecting eye health in an increasingly digital world.
Join the discussion now: https://smaartlab.org/discussion-board/youth-in-public-health/eye-strain-caused-by-prolonged-mobile-usage/
#DigitalEyeStrain #YouthHealth #EyeHealth #PublicHealth #COPHI #PopulationHealth #SMAART #HealthAwareness #DigitalHealth
Aug 25
Fifth Training Session Held Online for Kolhapur`s Public Health in Action Programme
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 earlier sessions, the fifth training under this initiative was conducted by Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD,MBBS,MPH in Kolhapur on August 12, 2026, for 34 nodal teachers. Unlike a typical training session, this one took the shape of an open doubt-clearing session, where Dr. Joshi addressed teachers` questions and concerns regarding the Public Health Club, while also motivating them and briefing them on the latest updates to the programme.
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 22
