JB Chemicals gets USFDA nod for hypertension drug Bisoprolol

Mumbai: J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited has announced that the company has received approval from the United States Food
and Drug Administration (US FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA),
Bisoprolol Tablets USP, 5 mg, and 10 mg.

The product is the generic version of Zebeta (Teva).

Bisoprolol Tablets are
indicated in the management of hypertension. 

Hypertension is a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. It’s often called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious health issues.

Read also: JB Chemicals and Pharma Panoli facility concludes USFDA inspection no observations

Established in 1976, J.B. Pharma is a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, India. Besides India presence, which accounts for majority of its revenue, its other two home markets are Russia and South Africa. The company exports its finished formulations to over 40 countries including the USA. Besides supplying branded generic formulations to several countries, it also manufactures medicated lozenges. It has eight state of the art manufacturing facilities in India including a dedicated manufacturing facility for lozenges. The manufacturing facilities are certified by leading regulators across the world.

Read also: KKR divests 5.8 percent stake in JB Chemicals & Pharma for Rs 1460 crore

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HC orders ESIC Hospital Andheri Completion by August 15

Mumbai: After the massive fire incident in December 2018, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Andheri East remained non-operational all these years. The Bombay High Court, through a recent judgement, ordered the corporation to finish rebuilding its Model Super Speciality Hospital in Andheri East by August 15, 2025. 

Disposing of the PIL filed by Rajesh Sharma, former Deputy Mayor of Mumbai, the court has also asked ESIC to make sure the hospital starts functioning by January 31, 2026, which was badly damaged in the fire in December 2018.

The order came after a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rajesh Sharma, former Deputy Mayor of Mumbai. Sharma, through his lawyers Rahul Kamerkar and Aparajita Jha, urged the court to take action as the hospital had not resumed services even after more than five years. 

Also read- Fire at ESIC Hospital Mumbai: 6 killed, 145 injured; Minister announces Compensation

The Indian Express has reporetd that the PIL stated that the Andheri Model ESIC Hospital used to give various services such as OPD (Out-Patient Department), IPD (In-Patient Department), ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and Super Speciality services.

Through his PIL, Sharma raised concerns that ESIC has not taken any steps to restart the said hospital despite over five years having passed since the fire incident. The said hospital is the largest ESIC hospital in the city with a capacity of nearly 350 beds and superspeciality facilities.

Medical Dialogues in 2018 reported about an unfortunate fire incident in the 5th storey Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in MIDC, Marol, in Andheri that took away six lives and injured more than 145 people. Later, the death toll increased to 11 people.

The victims were immediately rushed to the other hospitals: RN Cooper Hospital, Thackeray Trauma Hospital in Jogeshwari, Holy Spirit Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital in Andheri, Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, and Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon.

The fire broke out on the fourth floor of ESIC and happened on December 17, 2018, when 20 LPG cylinders were stored under a staircase without proper permission, leading to a tragic accident.

In response, advocate Shailesh Pathak for ESIC Director General submitted minutes of the 235th special meeting of its Standing Committee held on January 23, 2025 and stated that the National Building Construction Company (NBCC) has undertaken the work of construction of the hospital and has agreed to hand over the renovated building of the hospital on or before August 15, 2025. Pathak added that ESIC shall make ” all endeavours in right earnest” to commence the functioning of the said hospital on or before January 31, 2026.

The bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Makarand Karnik noted the timeline and disposed of the PIL, instructing ESIC to complete construction and to make the hospital operational within the timeline as promised. 

Also read- Increase polling stations in future Maharashtra Medical Council Elections: HC

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Dr MI Sahadulla bags International Recognition by Royal College of Physicians

Thiruvananthapuram: Dr MI Sahadulla, Chairman and Managing Director, KIMSHEALTH, has been conferred with the prestigious International PACES Champion Award 2024 by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.    

This recognition highlights Dr. Sahadulla’s exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to the PACES (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) examinations conducted internationally. The award was presented by Dr. Graham Curry, Chair Examiner from the Federation, at an official event held at Hotel Gokulam Grand, Thiruvananthapuram.      

Also Read:AIG Hospitals Chairman Dr Nageshwar Reddy honoured with Legend of Endoscopy Award in Tokyo

The International PACES Champion Award is the highest honour conferred by the Federation on individuals who have significantly contributed to the success and global outreach of the MRCP(UK) examinations. Dr. Sahadulla is one of only ten recipients worldwide this year, and one of just four internationally recognised awardees.   

Speaking on the occasion, Jane Chopping, Policy Officer at MRCP(UK), said, “We are delighted to present Dr. M.I. Sahadulla with the 2024 International PACES Champion Award in recognition of his exceptional commitment and dedication to the conduct of the PACES exams.” This accolade stands as a testament to Dr. Sahadulla’s leadership and the high standards maintained by KIMSHEALTH in the field of medical education and clinical examination.   

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation and KIMS USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases based out of Hyderabad along with Brahma Kumaris are proud to have achieved a second new Guinness World Record title for ”Highest views of a Breast Cancer Awareness lesson on YouTube in 24 hours”. A record 6218 people from across the world have viewed this Guinness World record Presentation on YouTube & benefited from this historic and landmark empowerment drive. Presenting the Guinness World Record (GWR) at KIMS Hospitals, Mr Rishi Nath, the Asia Pacific Adjudicator for this Record Event complimented Dr P Raghu Ram for his lucid Presentation for over 40 minutes.

Also Read:Applications Open! Lady Tata Memorial Trust Young Researcher Award 2025; Check All Details

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Chennai Corporation to recruit 60 doctors for Urban Health Centres

Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced plans to recruit 60 doctors on a contractual basis to address critical shortage of doctors at Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWC) across the city. However, councillors have urged that the appointments be made on a permanent basis rather than temporary contracts.

The Urban Health and Wellness Centres, inaugurated two years ago by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin under the Union Government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, were intended to enhance primary healthcare delivery in urban areas. Each centre was envisioned to have a full-time doctor, a nurse, and support staff to serve local communities. However, many centres in areas such as Manali, Madhavaram, KK Nagar, and Kodungaiyur still function without doctors, leaving patients to rely on overcrowded primary health centres and government hospitals. 

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that as many as 500 Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs), spread across the state, were virtually inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. The UHWCs, intended to function as ancillary units of Urban Primary Health Centres, are located in areas under civic bodies such as corporations, including the Greater Chennai Corporation and municipalities.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM launches 500 Urban Health and Wellness Centres

Under the new initiative, the Chennai City Urban Health Mission—a wing of the National Health Mission—plans to complete the recruitment by the end of April. The contract positions are open to doctors under the age of 40, offering a monthly salary of ₹60,000 for an 11-month term. Alongside doctors, the GCC will also recruit 60 nurses, multi-purpose health workers, and support staff to ensure these centres are fully operational.

According to TOI, however, ever since their inauguration, they have been marred with vacancies and poor services. MDMK Councillor S Jeevan of Kodungaiyur said the centre in his ward, covering dense areas like Erukkanchery, Kodungaiyur, Vyasarpadi, and Moolakadai with a population of 80,000, is functioning without a doctor for a year. “I have spoken about this multiple times in council. Yet, we don’t have doctors. Nurses treat patients. Many patients have started going to private clinics,” he said.

Also Read: Doctors’ Association urges CM to grant Govt Job to wife of doctor who died during COVID-19

Speaking to TOI, CPI Councillor from Tondiarpet, M Renuka, said, except for doctors studying PG, no one even participates in the recruitment drive. “UHWCs function from 8 am to 10 am, and 4 pm to 6 pm. During breaks, doctors do private consultations too. Yet, they quit in less than three months or when they get a PG seat or MRB posting,” she said.

Councillors argue that offering permanent positions to the doctors would ensure their work is officially recorded in service registers, enabling them to qualify for the service doctors quota in postgraduate medical courses. Jeevan said that while civil engineers were being recruited for permanent posts by the GCC, doctors, who were important, were kept in temporary positions.

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Thyroid Cancer Red Flag: FDA Adverse Reporting Data Analysis Shows Alerts on Semaglutide, Tirzepatide Use

Lebanon: A recent study analyzing data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) has raised important safety concerns regarding a potential link between thyroid cancer and several popular weight-loss medications.

Published in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, the study sheds light on the possible association between glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and an elevated risk of thyroid cancer. These medications—commonly prescribed for obesity and type 2 diabetes—have gained immense popularity in recent years. However, questions about their long-term safety continue to surface, particularly concerning thyroid health.

“These findings highlight the need for ongoing research and vigilant safety monitoring when using these medications for managing obesity,” the researchers reported.

GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Rybelsus) and Dual GIP &GLP-1 Receptor Agonist tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have been widely adopted for weight-loss management due to their efficacy in reducing appetite and promoting weight reduction. Despite their growing clinical use, researchers have noted emerging concerns about their potential association with thyroid malignancies, prompting this comprehensive safety evaluation.

Against the above background, Christophe Abi Zeid Daou from the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon, and colleagues aimed to explore the potential link between thyroid cancer and weight-loss medications.

For this purpose, the researchers reviewed adverse event reports recorded in the FAERS database from 2004 through the first quarter of 2024. To assess the strength of the associations, they conducted a disproportionality analysis—a statistical approach used in pharmacovigilance studies to detect signals of potential drug-related risks. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) were calculated to quantify the likelihood of thyroid cancer events associated with various weight-loss and anti-diabetic medications.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • Semaglutide was linked to a significantly higher risk of thyroid cancer (ROR = 7.61).
  • Dulaglutide also showed a notable association with thyroid cancer (ROR = 3.59).
  • Liraglutide demonstrated the strongest association among the drugs studied (ROR = 15.59).
  • Tirzepatide was associated with an elevated risk of thyroid cancer (ROR = 2.09).
  • Metformin showed a weak inverse association, potentially indicating a protective effect (ROR = 0.588).
  • No significant associations with thyroid cancer were observed for topiramate, dapagliflozin, or insulin glargine.

While the findings offer valuable insights into possible safety concerns, the authors emphasized the limitations of the FAERS database, which relies on voluntary and spontaneous reporting and lacks a control group—factors that prevent drawing definitive causal conclusions. Nonetheless, the study highlights a potential safety signal that warrants further investigation.

“The study calls for ongoing safety monitoring and patient counselling when prescribing these medications, emphasizing the importance of informed clinical decisions and continued research into the long-term effects of weight-loss therapies,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Abi Zeid Daou C, Aboul Hosn O, Ghzayel L, Mourad M. Exploring Connections Between Weight-Loss Medications and Thyroid Cancer: A Look at the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2025 Mar;8(2):e70038. doi: 10.1002/edm2.70038. PMID: 40055991; PMCID: PMC11889434.

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Clopidogrel Outperforms Aspirin in Reducing Cardiovascular Events Post-PCI: SMART-CHOICE 3 Trial

South Korea: The SMART-CHOICE 3 trial demonstrated that in patients who had completed the standard course of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), clopidogrel monotherapy (75 mg/day) significantly reduced the 3-year cumulative incidence of adverse events (4.4% vs. 6.6%) and myocardial infarction rates (1.0% vs. 2.2%) compared to aspirin.

In their study published in The Lancet, the researchers noted that stroke rates were similar between the two groups, and there was no significant difference in bleeding risk. These findings highlight the safety and efficacy of clopidogrel as a long-term monotherapy option in high-risk patients post-PCI.

Given the ongoing uncertainty around the optimal long-term antiplatelet strategy for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, identifying the most effective and safest maintenance therapy remains a clinical priority. While dual antiplatelet therapy is the standard initial approach, the best monotherapy to follow after its completion is still under debate.

To address this, Prof Ki Hong Choi, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues designed the study to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel versus aspirin monotherapy in patients who had completed the standard duration of DAPT following PCI with drug-eluting stents.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a multicentre, randomised, open-label trial across 26 sites in South Korea. They enrolled patients aged 19 years or older who were at high risk of recurrent ischaemic events—such as those with a history of myocardial infarction, diabetes requiring medication, or complex coronary lesions—and who had completed the standard duration of DAPT after undergoing PCI.

These patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either clopidogrel (75 mg daily) or aspirin (100 mg daily) as oral monotherapy. The primary outcome measured was the cumulative incidence of a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke in the intention-to-treat population. Adverse events were recorded as part of the secondary endpoints.

Key Findings:

  • A total of 5,542 patients were assessed for eligibility between 2020, and 2023, and 5,506 were randomly assigned to receive either clopidogrel (n=2,752) or aspirin (n=2,754) monotherapy. The median time from PCI to randomisation was 17.5 months.
  • Over a median follow-up of 2.3 years, the primary composite endpoint occurred in 92 patients on clopidogrel and 128 on aspirin, with a 3-year incidence of 4.4% vs 6.6%, respectively (HR 0.71).
  • Death from any cause occurred in 50 patients in the clopidogrel group and 70 in the aspirin group (3-year incidence 2.4% vs 4.0%; HR 0.71).
  • Myocardial infarction was reported in 23 patients on clopidogrel and 42 on aspirin (3-year incidence 1.0% vs 2.2%; HR 0.54).
  • Stroke occurred in 23 patients in the clopidogrel group and 29 in the aspirin group (3-year incidence 1.3% in both; HR 0.79).
  • Bleeding risk was similar between the two groups, with a 3-year incidence of 3.0% in both arms (HR 0.97).
  • Clopidogrel was not linked to a higher rate of adverse events compared to aspirin.

“Among high-risk patients who had completed the standard duration of dual antiplatelet therapy following PCI, clopidogrel monotherapy significantly lowered the cumulative risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke compared to aspirin, without increasing bleeding risk,” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Choi KH, Park YH, Lee JY, Jeong JO, Kim CJ, Yun KH, Lee HC, Chang K, Park MW, Bae JW, Doh JH, Cho BR, Kim HY, Kim W, Kim U, Rha SW, Hong YJ, Lee HJ, Ahn SG, Kim DI, Cho JH, Her SH, Jeon DS, Han SH, Lee JB, Lee CW, Kang D, Lee JM, Park TK, Yang JH, Lee SY, Choi SH, Gwon HC, Song YB, Hahn JY; SMART-CHOICE 3 investigators. Efficacy and safety of clopidogrel versus aspirin monotherapy in patients at high risk of subsequent cardiovascular event after percutaneous coronary intervention (SMART-CHOICE 3): a randomised, open-label, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2025 Apr 12;405(10486):1252-1263. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00449-0. Epub 2025 Mar 30. PMID: 40174599.

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Spot Capillary HbA1c Testing Boosts Type 2 Diabetes Detection in High-Risk Patients, Study Finds

China: A recent cluster randomized controlled trial has demonstrated that point-of-care capillary HbA1c (POC-cHbA1c) testing can significantly improve early detection of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in high-risk individuals within primary care.

“Compared to traditional venous HbA1c testing, POC-cHbA1c testing led to twice the screening uptake, delivered quicker results, reduced the need for follow-up visits, and identified more previously undiagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes,” the researchers reported in BMC Medicine.

The delayed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes increases the risk of complications, making the high number of undiagnosed cases in Hong Kong a growing public health concern. Point-of-care capillary HbA1c testing offers a convenient, timely, and comparably accurate alternative to traditional venous HbA1c (vHbA1c) testing for diabetes screening. However, evidence from randomized trials is limited.

Linda Chan, The Bau Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, and colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of a two-step active opportunistic screening approach using POC-cHbA1c versus usual care with vHbA1c and multiple clinic visits in identifying type 2 diabetes among at-risk patients in primary care. The main outcomes included comparing diabetes detection rates and testing uptake between the two groups.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial across eight General outpatient clinics between June 2022 and January 2024, using a two-step active opportunistic screening approach. In the first step, 852 at-risk individuals were identified during routine primary care visits based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. In the second step, these patients underwent either point-of-care capillary HbA1c (POC-cHbA1c) testing in the intervention group or venous HbA1c (vHbA1c) testing in the control group.

Those with HbA1c levels ≥5.6% were offered a confirmatory oral glucose tolerance test. Clinics were randomized using a computer-generated sequence, and multilevel logistic regression assessed the impact of the intervention on testing uptake, accounting for patient factors and clinic-level clustering.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • The uptake rate for POC-cHbA1c testing was significantly higher than for vHbA1c (76.0% vs 37.5%; OR = 7.06).
  • POC-cHbA1c identified a greater proportion of type 2 diabetes cases (4.2% vs 1.4%).
  • Detection of pre-diabetes was also higher with POC-cHbA1c (11.8% vs 6.9%).
  • Combined detection of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes was more likely with POC-cHbA1c (OR = 1.99).
  • The number needed to screen to identify one additional case of type 2 diabetes using POC-cHbA1c versus vHbA1c was 61.

“The study highlights the strong potential of POC-cHbA1c testing as an effective screening strategy for type 2 diabetes in primary care. With significantly higher uptake and improved detection rates compared to traditional venous HbA1c testing, POC-cHbA1c can help expand screening coverage, accelerate diagnosis, and support earlier intervention among at-risk individuals,” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Chan, L., Yu, E.Y.T., Wan, E.Y.F. et al. Improving type 2 diabetes detection among at-risk individuals – comparing the effectiveness of active opportunistic screening using spot capillary-HbA1c testing and venous HbA1c testing: a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Med 23, 190 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04007-z

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Nasal Etripamil Nearly Twice as Effective as Placebo in Halting PSVT Episodes, Trial Finds

USA: A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology revealed that self-administered etripamil was almost twice as effective as placebo in terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) episodes within 30 minutes.

The recent secondary analysis of data from two phase 3 randomized clinical trials has shed light on the potential of self-administered intranasal etripamil in reducing emergency department (ED) visits among individuals with PSVT. This fast-acting calcium channel blocker, delivered through the nasal route, is being evaluated for its efficacy in managing acute episodes of atrioventricular-nodal-dependent PSVT outside hospital settings.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is characterized by sudden, rapid heart rhythms often requiring immediate intervention to restore normal rhythm. Traditional oral therapies have been limited by delayed onset and potential side effects, making rapid-acting alternatives an area of clinical interest.

The analysis combined data from the NODE-301 part 1 and its continuation study, RAPID, which were double-blind, placebo-controlled, and event-driven. Participants were trained to self-administer a 70 mg dose of etripamil at the onset of PSVT symptoms. In the RAPID extension, a second dose was permitted 10 minutes after the first if symptoms persisted. Patients were advised to seek emergency care if symptoms continued beyond 30 minutes.

The key findings of the study were as follows:

  • The pooled analysis included 340 patients, with 206 receiving etripamil and 134 receiving a placebo. The average age of participants was 54.7. Women made up nearly 70% of the study population.
  • Before taking the study drug, 370 patients attempted vagal maneuvers, but only 4.6% achieved PSVT termination using this method.
  • PSVT episodes were resolved within 30 minutes in 57.8% of patients who used etripamil, compared to 32.1% in the placebo group.
  • Only 13.6% of patients in the etripamil group required an emergency department visit, compared to 22.4% in the placebo group.
  • This corresponded to an 8.8% absolute and 39% relative reduction in ED visits, with a relative risk of 0.61.
  • Etripamil was generally well-tolerated, with most side effects limited to the nasal administration site.
  • No serious adverse events were reported in patients who received etripamil.

Given that PSVT affects approximately 1 in 300 people in the U.S. and leads to substantial healthcare utilization, the availability of an effective at-home treatment could significantly ease the burden on emergency services. The analysis suggests that treating 12 patients with etripamil could prevent one ED visit.

While the results are promising, Sean D. Pokorney, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, and colleagues note that future research is needed to explore further the impact of etripamil on long-term healthcare outcomes and its broader applicability. Pooling data from multiple studies, though necessary to achieve statistical power, also presents certain limitations that future investigations may help address.

Reference:

Pokorney SD, Camm AJ, Dorian P, et al. Self-Administered Etripamil and Emergency Department Visits in Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. Published online April 09, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2025.0417

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Healthy nutrition and physical lifestyle choices lower cancer mortality risk for survivors, new ACS study finds

In 2022, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its nutrition and activity guidelines for cancer survivors, recommending they avoid obesity, stay physically active, eat a healthy diet, and limit alcohol intake. New research by ACS scientists shows a lifestyle aligned with these guidelines is associated with a lower mortality risk among non-smoking survivors of obesity-related cancers in the United States. Survivors who maintained a healthy lifestyle both before and after their diagnosis-or those who improved their habits after diagnosis-also had a lower mortality risk. The study is out today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI).

“A cancer diagnosis often motivates people to think about how they can live healthier lives. Many survivors want to know what lifestyle changes they can make to improve their chances of living longer,” said Dr. Ying Wang, senior principal scientist, epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “These findings underscore how making the right lifestyle choices truly affects cancer survival.”

Researchers analyzed the lifestyle habits of non-smoking participants from the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort diagnosed with obesity-related cancers between 1992 and 2002 through 2020. Post-diagnosis adherence to ACS guidelines-body mass index (BMI), physical activity, diet, and alcohol consumption—was scored on a scale from 0 to 8. Models were used to calculate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Study results showed among 3,742 cancer survivors (average age 67.6 years) with a median follow-up of 15.6 years, 2,430 deaths occurred. Survivors with a score of 6-8 had a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.85), a 33% lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality (HR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.83), and a 21% lower risk of cancer-specific mortality (HR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.97) compared to those with a score of 0-3. Higher BMI and physical activity scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality. Compared to survivors with a consistently low ACS guideline score (less than 5) both before and after diagnosis, those with a consistently high score (five or more) had lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Additionally, survivors who improved their score from low to high had lower all-cause mortality.

Reference:

 Ying Wang et al, Following the American Cancer Society guideline for cancer survivors and obesity-related cancer survival, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaf051

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Extreme Heat Poses Threat to Mental Health, reveals research

Rising temperatures across Australia could increase the burden of mental and behavioural disorders (MBD) by almost 50 per cent by 2050, according to a new study from the University of Adelaide. The research highlights the urgent need to act now to protect mental health as the climate warms.

Published in Nature Climate Change, the study shows that high temperatures contributed to an annual loss of 8458 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), representing 1.8 per cent of total MBD burden in Australia. Young Australians aged 15 to 44 are particularly affected, with most losses linked to living with poor mental health.

“The detrimental impacts of climate change on good mental health and emotional states have been increasingly recognised worldwide, and it’s only going to get worse unless we act,” said lead author Professor Peng Bi, from the University’s School of Public Health.

MBDs encompass a broad spectrum of symptoms associated with distress or impairment in important functional areas, including an individual’s emotional regulation, cognition or behaviour, and include anxiety, depressive, bipolar affective, schizophrenia, alcohol, drug use and other mental and substance use disorders.

“From mild distress to serious conditions like schizophrenia, rising temperatures are making things harder for millions,” said Professor Bi.

The study, based on data from the Australian Burden of Disease database, found that warmer regions, like those closer to the equator, face higher risks.

The Northern Territory had the highest predicted relative risk as well as highest average threshold temperature while South Australia and Victoria had the highest proportion of burden attributable to high temperature, with 2.9 per cent (62.6 DALYs per 100,000) and 2.2 per cent (51.1 DALYs per 100,000), respectively.

“These results underscore the crucial role of policymakers in developing focused public health interventions to minimise the emergence of mental health impacts of climate change, given its significant human, social and financial consequences,” said Professor Bi.

“About 8.6 million Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience an MBD within their lifetime. Factors like income, access to healthcare, and local conditions shape how heat affects mental health, with some areas hit harder than others.”

“Our findings show that climate change will drive up mental health challenges beyond what population growth alone would cause,” said first author Dr Jingwen Liu.

“Young people, who often face these issues early in life, are especially at risk as the climate crisis worsens.”

The researchers call for immediate action, including a heat-health action plans to prepare healthcare systems for rising mental health needs, localised solutions, like community programs and green spaces to build resilience and support for vulnerable groups, ensuring those most at risk get the care they need during hot periods.

“Policymakers must step up with targeted, people-centred strategies to protect mental health as temperatures climb,” said Professor Bi.

Reference:

Liu, J., Varghese, B.M., Hansen, A. et al. Increasing burden of poor mental health attributable to high temperature in Australia. Nat. Clim. Chang. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02309-x.

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