Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their Growing Burden Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) killed at least 43 million people in 2021, and among them 18 million people died from an NCD before the age of 70 years; 82% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2024). NCDs, particularly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are responsible for 74% of deaths globally and negatively impact the lives

In the year 2015, the members of the UN General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with their 6th goal being providing universal access to safe drinking water for all by 2030. However, despite a decade of efforts, a quarter of the world’s population still goes without access to safe drinking water. Around 1.7 million people worldwide are estimated to be using water contaminated with fecal matter, which is

Food wastage is a growing concern across the world. According to the Food Waste Index Report (2024), the world wasted an estimated 1.05 billion tonnes of food in the retail, food service, and household sectors combined in the year 2022. The improper management and disposal of food waste may lead to contaminated products during the process of the food supply chain causing foodborne diseases. Both food wastage and foodborne diseases

Nutrition Informatics (NI) is an emerging field, it is defined as the effective retrieval, organization, storage, and optimum use of food and nutrition-related data and knowledge for problem-solving and decision-making. When applied to maternal and child health, it can integrate data from electronic health records, mobile applications, and nutrition databases to provide real-time insights on dietary intake, health risks, and necessary interventions. Maternal and child health (MCH) programs are a

Air pollution is one of the most significant threats to human health, impacting nearly everyone in some way. While it's easy to overlook its presence, ignoring this silent danger poses a severe risk to our well-being and survival. According to new guidelines set by the Health Organization in 2021, it is estimated that around 99% of the world breathes air that is considered polluted. Researchers indicate that air pollution

Dengue fever has become the most significant mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, with a staggering 390 million infections reported globally each year, a majority of them occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly half of the world’s population is at risk, and over 129 countries are affected. The Americas, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific are the hardest hit, with Asia

The infant gut microbiome refers to the diverse collection of microorganisms found in the gastrointestinal tract of newborns and infants, typically those aged 1 to 23 months.  This microbial community is composed of different microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, archaea, and other microbes. Generally, the human gut microbiome is fundamental in shaping the health and well-being of individuals throughout their lifespan. Overall, the human gut microbiome plays a

Introduction ‘Micronutrient deficiencies’ or ‘Hidden hunger’ are a global challenge in today’s era where access to original quality foods with all the micronutrients intact is challenging or is beyond a common man's purchasing power. Diseases caused by deficiencies of micronutrients such as iron, iodine, vitamin A, and B complex vitamins are major public health concerns that result in poor vision, stunted growth, mental health problems, learning impairments, and early

DIGITAL INNOVATIONS The combination of two words, "digital" and "innovations," is significant and meaningful in and of itself. When you combine them, you get a heavier phrase, which in today's era and generation is a dominant factor in almost every area and field. (1) When we talk about healthcare, digital technologies have shown evidence that they have a lot of potentials to produce successful results with respect to medical diagnosis,

Introduction In recent years, the swift advancement of virtual reality has resulted in its integration into various professional as well as educational sectors. Notably, it holds significant significance in medical contexts, where it facilitates therapy, rehabilitation, and functions as an educational tool through the creation of virtual environments. (1) What is Virtual Reality? Virtual reality is a concept that describes a computer-generated imitation of a setting where individuals can navigate