Among Indian adolescent girl's anemia remains a major public health concern due to rapid growth, menstrual blood loss, and nutritional deficiencies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the prevalence and severity of anemia among Indian adolescent girls. This review (2004-2024) integrated data from 32 studies (14,053 persons) from PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)/ Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Observational studies with the prevalence of anemia in Indian adolescent girls based on WHO criteria were included. The data was pooled using a random-effects model, and subgroup analyses were conducted by Indian region. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. The pooled anemia prevalence was 65% (95% CI: 54%-74%), showed notable regional variations. The burden was highest in East India (81%; 39%-97%), then North India (65%), West India (61%), and South India (52%). The mean hemoglobin levels varied by region, ranging from 10.24 g/dL in the East to 11.20 g/dL in the South. Mild anemia (29%) and moderate anemia (25%) were more common than severe anemia (1%). The substantial heterogeneity (I2=98.7%) indicated differences in socioeconomic status, diet, and healthcare access. Anemia affects disproportionate number of Indian adolescents' girls, particularly in the country's east, which highlights the need for context-specific interventions. The initiatives must be linked to national programs like Anemia Mukt Bharat to ensure equitable progress towards India's public health objectives and to avoid long-term health and developmental consequences.

Air pollution and particularly the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major environmental risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Millions of untimely deaths every year have been reported because of it. The epidemiological literature has linked long-term exposure to PM2.5 and mortality rates of CVDs. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize the estimates of long-term PM2.5 exposure and CVDs. Based on the PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched up to October 2025. Random-effects model was used to pool HRs, and the heterogeneity was measured with the help of I2. Four studies were included in this meta-analysis. There was an increased risk of CVD with higher exposure to PM2.5 on a long-term basis (pooled HR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.41; p=0.006; I2=96%). Cardiovascular mortality did not show any significant association with PM2.5 exposure (pooled HR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.71-1.41; p=0.98; I2=29%). No significant difference was found between the PM2.5 exposure and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (pooled HR=1.65, 95% CI: 0.90-3.00; p=0.10; I2=95%). The same pattern was noted between the PM2.5 exposure and stroke (pooled HR=1.61, 95% CI: 0.96-2.68; p=0.07; I2=74%). The PM2.5 exposure is associated with high CVD in the long term. Results reveal the significance of establishing strict air-drome quality standards and targeted interventions to mitigate the risks in the areas of issues. More integrated studies are required to support our findings and fill the knowledge gap.

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As there is an increased prevalence of cancer, healthcare systems must accommodate the growing number of patients without placing extra pressure on resources. If the NHS adheres to evidence-based, patient-led, and cost-effective modifications, the five-minute injection can represent the initiation, not only of a new era in cancer care, but also of an era of flexibility, humanity, and sustainability in the public health sector.

The landscape of healthcare research in Nepal has changed significantly over the last three decades, bringing in many challenges. A roundtable discussions during the Britain-Nepal Academic Council (BNAC) Nepal Study Days in 2023 examined the following three current issues in health research in Nepal: i) the process and practice of ethical issues; ii) lack of validated and standardised research tools for data collection; and iii) researcher integrity and quality of research publications. This commentary explores these challenges in detail. It also suggests way forward in which the Nepal Health Research Council could play a leading role in addressing these issues through capacity building and resource development.

The editorial message is unequivocal: Long COVID cannot be sidelined. Governments must enhance access to multidisciplinary care clinics, fund long-term research, and embed mental health services within recovery programs. Vaccination reduces risk by 10-12%, reinforcing that prevention remains essential. For survivors, recognition is critical acknowledging their struggles and investing in their futures. As research shows, organ damage may be persistent, with long-term effects still emerging. Ignoring this shadow will only deepen the pandemic’s legacy; confronting it directly could reshape resilience in the post-COVID world.

Orthopedic surgery is a surgical discipline which is diverse in nature and requires a high level of skill. Orthopaedic surgery most commonly requires highly specialized surgical teams as well as costly and sophisticated equipment, this is even more true when it comes to the surgical correction of complicated cases such as malunions, bone infections with bone loss etc. The Ilizarov technique is a marvel of orthopaedics which is multifunctional in purpose and can be used to treat a plethora of conditions. One such pioneer of employing the Ilizarov technique in rural and smaller centers was Dr S.M Banerjee in Kalyani, West Bengal, India over 40 years ago. The Ilizarov technique is a highly diverse and multipurpose surgery which allows for the rectification of complex and challenging cases. The ability for a single surgeon to be able to correct a plethora of conditions with the slight modification of the technique is highly valued in resource limited rural settings where the likelihood and means of such patients to reach a tertiary center is near impossible. Although the procedure may be a fraction more costly and does require a dedicated staff, the near endless applicability of the technique offsets these challenges. All rural based orthopaedic surgeons should both be trained and well versed in the Ilizarov method so as to ensure that even the rural populous have access to a better level of care without having to undergo the trauma of being removed from their locality in order to undergo a procedure at a higher institute. With further aid and support from both local and international authorities, the disparities between the rich and poor as well as health inequality can be minimized via the employment of such a technique in the rural setting.

In summary, the current floods reveal the deeply seated public health vulnerabilities in this disaster-ridden region, and they are a grim reminder of the catastrophic impacts of climate change on our environment. Massively reducing the immediate risk of disease outbreaks requires immediate interventions. At the same time, longer-term strategies need to address the psychological and infrastructural wreckage. Through strengthening health systems, increasing community understanding and improving preparedness for disasters, Nepal can reduce the public health impact of future disasters and protect the well-being of its people.

BackgroundArthritis affects millions of people worldwide; however, its mismanagement remains a growing global challenge, resulting in reduced quality of life (QoL) and disability. Digital health (DH), including smartphones, could be the key to solving this problem. Specific evidence-based reviews on the use of DH in this context are lacking. This systematic review aimed to explore the effect of DH on medication adherence (MA) among arthritis patients, thus improving their QoL.MethodsA literature search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, TRIP, and Google Scholar using the keywords digital health, medication adherence, and arthritis. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) published between 2006 and 2024 were assessed for eligibility.ResultThe literature search yielded 12,671 results with 882 duplicates. The review included 8 RCTs that addressed rheumatoid arthritis (n=5), gout (n=2), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=1), with a total sample size of 2449 patients, among whom 66% were males. Digital interventions used include calls, texts, videos, and online counselling. Study outcomes were classified as positive (DH increased MA), no significant difference, and negative (DH failed to show an effect on MA) in 62.5%, 25%, and 12.5% of the studies, respectively.ConclusionIt is concluded that 62.5% of the RCTs showed significant contributions of digital health tools in arthritis management, mainly by enhancing medication adherence and thus improving patients' QoL. Owing to their availability, simplicity, and immediacy, digital health tools demonstrate their potential as reliable interventions for supporting arthritis patients.