Our Highlights
Global Happenings
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.
WHO warns that one in four doctors globally is nearing retirement age, raising concerns about a growing shortage of health workers. The aging workforce, combined with insufficient recruitment and training, could worsen healthcare access and increase pressure on health systems, highlighting the need for long-term workforce planning and investment.
In 2025, more than 171 million students worldwide experienced disruptions to their education due to climate-related hazards. Floods, heatwaves, storms, and other extreme weather events affected school attendance and learning. UNICEF highlights the need for climate-resilient education systems, safer schools, and measures to protect children’s right to continuous education.
Social Stream
This Week on SHINE: Global Nutrition & Health Updates 🌍
World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it is updating its recommendations on the screening, diagnosis, and classification of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, in response to emerging evidence and the growing global burden of diabetes.
Hyperglycaemia affects approximately 1 in 6 live births (21 million annually) and can increase the risk of adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. A WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) will meet from 20-24 October 2026 to review the latest evidence on screening and diagnosis, with updated recommendations expected later in 2026.
This is the kind of global health development SHINE brings together.
Launched in 2021, SHINE is a global platform for Nutrition Informatics, connecting nutrition, information, and technology to support evidence-based practice, research, programs, and policies.
📌 Every week, SHINE brings you:
- Global health & nutrition happenings
- Emerging evidence and research
- Policy & practice updates
- Innovations and success stories
Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay ahead with SHINE.
Visit our website to know more: //nutritioninformatics.info/
#SHINE #NutritionInformatics #GlobalNutrition #PublicHealth #MaternalHealth #GestationalDiabetes #WHO #FHTS #SMAARTLab #SMAART
Oct 8
📍 Swasthya Pahal Camp at Head Post Office, Ashok Vihar
On September 30, 2026, the Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society (FHTS) conducted a Swasthya Pahal camp at the Head Post Office, Ashok Vihar. Around 21 individuals were screened and counseled on self-management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The team also exhibited products from the RISE initiative.
RISE empowers women aspiring to make the world a better place through research, innovation, skills, and entrepreneurship. The products are the outcome of joint efforts by women dedicated to helping those in need and the young women they support.
Swasthya Pahal is a cost-effective digital health intervention designed by Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD,MBBS,MPH. Implemented by FHTS across 7 states, it has reached 19,000+ beneficiaries through 670+ health camps. Beneficiaries can also enroll in HEAL, an SMS-based nutrition and lifestyle education program offering daily and weekly health messages.
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, School of Public Health, University of Memphis)
www.fhts.ac.in , www.smaartlab.org
call us on +91-8527897771 or write to us contact@fhts.ac.in
#SwasthyaPahal #RISEInitiative #FHTS #NCDs #CommunityHealth #DigitalHealth #WomenEmpowerment #PublicHealth
Oct 8
AI-Powered Resource Allocation in Public Health
Public health systems face hard choices every day, deciding how to allocate limited resources like healthcare workers, medicines, hospital beds, vaccines, and funds. AI offers a way to inform these decisions by identifying patterns in disease burden, population needs, service usage, and resource shortages, particularly valuable during emergencies when demand becomes unpredictable. The WHO recognizes AI`s potential to help address workforce and resource gaps, while emphasizing the need for safe, ethical, and equitable use.
But AI-driven resource allocation is far from a purely technical exercise. Algorithms trained on biased data risk deepening existing inequities, raising concerns around fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy. The consensus is clear: AI should not replace human judgment in public health decision-making, but equip decision-makers with better insight into where and how resources are needed most.
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 AI improve the speed and accuracy of resource allocation decisions in public health, especially during emergencies?
- What safeguards are needed to ensure AI-driven allocation remains fair, transparent, and equitable?
- How can human oversight be built into AI-assisted resource allocation without slowing down critical decisions?
Share your experiences, perspectives, and evidence-informed ideas on building smarter, more equitable public health systems.
Join the discussion now: https://smaartlab.org/discussion-board/public-health-interventions-ai-in-public-health/ai-powered-resource-allocation-in-public-health/
#AIinPublicHealth #ResourceAllocation #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #COPHI #PopulationHealth #SMAART #HealthTech #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthAwareness
Oct 6
@smaart.fhts, University of Memphis School of Public Health, and Zilla 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 seventh curriculum session, focused on evaluation of public health interventions, was delivered across 39 schools in Kolhapur. The session was conducted by Rutuja Hanbar, Public Health Outreach Specialist at FHTS, entirely in Marathi, introducing students to how public health programmes are assessed for their effectiveness and impact.
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
Oct 6
