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WHO has issued its first global guidelines on managing obesity in children and adolescents, emphasizing comprehensive, lifelong care. The guidance recommends healthy diets, physical activity, behavioural support and, for eligible older children and adolescents, medical treatments when appropriate. It also highlights family involvement and integrated services to prevent complications and promote healthier lives.
New WHO estimates highlight significant changes in the global health landscape, including shifts in disease patterns, mortality, life expectancy, and major health risks. The findings emphasize the continuing impact of noncommunicable diseases, while infectious diseases and other emerging challenges remain important, underscoring the need for stronger, data-driven health systems.
WHO is updating its recommendations on the criteria and diagnosis of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy to reflect emerging scientific evidence and improve consistency in clinical practice. The update aims to support accurate identification and management of gestational diabetes, strengthen maternal and newborn health outcomes, and guide countries in implementing effective diagnostic approaches.
Social Stream
On World Food Day, October 16, 2026, Government Doon Medical College and Hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, joined Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society (FHTS) in observing the day.
The observance was held under the joint collaboration between Government Doon Medical College and Hospital and Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society (FHTS).
The collaboration brings together research and community health activities, and this day was a chance to turn the same spirit toward the everyday food choices that shape our health.
Students and faculty came together for a poster activity, where students put their ideas about food and health on paper. Their posters explored how unhealthy eating habits can affect the body, including the liver, and the importance of nourishing ourselves with fresh fruits and balanced meals.
Activities like this remind us that good nutrition begins with awareness, and that conversations about food are an important part of preventive public health.
Our thanks to the students and faculty of Government Doon Medical College and Hospital for their participation in this multi-site observance across the FHTS SMAART Centers and our collaborating institutions.
FHTS CREATES Social, Economic and Health Impact through Community engagement, Research-based interventions, Entrepreneurship and innovation, Academic excellence, Technology-based solutions, Employment creation and readiness, and student-centeredness. It is a platform committed to promoting health and well-being for all. Guided by compassion, integrity, and equity, it empowers individuals to grow, contribute meaningfully, and create a positive impact, reaching and improving lives every day- Dr. @ashish_joshi_phd, MBBS,MPH (Founder FHTS and SMAART Lab & Dean and Distinguished University Professor,
University of Memphis School of Public Health)
www.fhts.ac.in , www.smaartlab.org
call us on +91-8527897771 or write to us contact@fhts.ac.in
Richa Sinha Anoja Sundar
Oct 16
Meet Jigyasa, a student of the Public Health Club at SDRV Convent School, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh as she looks back on a journey that began with school-wide hygiene and cleanliness surveys and led to Geneva, where she represented India at the International Conference on Public Health, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).
In this video, Jigyasa talks about the confidence she gained from engaging with delegates from across the world, and about a small habit the club inspired in her, cutting down on plastic, which she has carried into her own household. Her advice to students everywhere: you don’t need to take a big step, just take a step.
The Public Health Club at SDRV Convent School was established by Dr. Ashish Joshi Dean and Distinguished University Professor, University of Memphis School of Public Health, as the first of its kind in India. Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society (FHTS) had the opportunity to contribute to this initiative under Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD,MBBS,MPH’s leadership.
www.fhts.ac.in , www.smaartlab.org
call us on +91-8527897771 or write to us contact@fhts.ac.in
#PublicHealth #PublicHealthClub #FHTS #StudentVoices #YouthLeadership #WHO #WFUNA #PublicHealthEducation
Oct 16
On World Food Day, October 16, 2026, students at @sudha_rustagi Kheri More, Faridabad joined @smaart.fhts in observing the day.
The observance was held under the joint collaboration between @sudha_rustagi and @smaart.fhts. Through this collaboration, FHTS trains both undergraduate and postgraduate students of the college in Fundamentals of Population Health Research (FPHR).
Students picked up paper and colours to reflect on the food choices they make every day. Their posters explored the pull between the food that attracts us and the food we actually need, the effects of junk food on weight and immunity, and how an unhealthy diet can lead to conditions like fatty liver.
Activities like this remind us that good nutrition begins with awareness, and that conversations about food are an important part of preventive public health.
Our thanks to the students and faculty of Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sc. & Res. Kheri More, Faridabad for their thoughtful participation in this multi-site observance across the FHTS SMAART Centers and our collaborating institutions.
FHTS CREATES Social, Economic and Health Impact through Community engagement, Research-based interventions, Entrepreneurship and innovation, Academic excellence, Technology-based solutions, Employment creation and readiness, and student-centeredness. It is a platform committed to promoting health and well-being for all. Guided by compassion, integrity, and equity, it empowers individuals to grow, contribute meaningfully, and create a positive impact, reaching and improving lives every day- Dr. @ashish_joshi_phd,MBBS,MPH (Founder FHTS and SMAART Lab & Dean and Distinguished University Professor,
University of Memphis School of Public Health)
www.fhts.ac.in , www.smaartlab.org
call us on +91-8527897771 or write to us contact@fhts.ac.in
Dr Mansha Bakshi Charu Mohan Marya Dr. Aanshi Tapraniya PT
Oct 16
As part of our ongoing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) funded study, "Evaluating the Impact of Digital Intervention versus WHO PEN Approach in Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control in Resource-Limited Settings: A Quasi-Experimental Study," our team has moved into Phase 3 of this multisite study.
Baseline data collection is now underway across all four study sites, with a target enrollment of 600 participants who will form the foundation for comparing the digital intervention against the WHO PEN approach and a control group. As this is a multisite study, teams across all locations are working in parallel, following standardized procedures to ensure consistency as participants are enrolled and baseline data is gathered.
This phase marks a critical step in the study, laying the groundwork for the intervention rollout and comparison to follow, bringing us closer to real-world evidence on what works best for NCD prevention and management in resource-limited settings.
📄 Read the full study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42283436/
FHTS CREATES Social, Economic and Health Impact through Community engagement, Research-based interventions, Entrepreneurship and innovation, Academic excellence, Technology-based solutions, Employment creation and readiness, and student-centeredness. It is a platform committed to promoting health and well-being for all. Guided by compassion, integrity, and equity, it empowers individuals to grow, contribute meaningfully, and create a positive impact, reaching and improving lives every day- Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD,MBBS,MPH (Founder FHTS and SMAART Lab & Dean and Distinguished University Professor, University of Memphis School of Public Health)
www.fhts.ac.in , www.smaartlab.org
call us on +91-8527897771 or write to us contact@fhts.ac.in
#PublicHealth #FHTS #NCDPrevention #DigitalHealth #ICMR #HealthResearch #WHOPEN
Oct 14
