 "This Year in Health: Russia’s cancer vaccine to menstruating in space, the world of health in 2024")
Health is wealth is the famous adage. In 2024, that phrase could be changed to health is news. In this year, a lot has happened in the world of health — and many times, news from the health sector has made big headlines.
Some of our biggest stories also came from the world of health — mpox became a global health emergency, Alia Bhatt revealed she was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and Russia announced that it was ready to roll out a vaccine against cancer in the New Year. Additionally, 2024 also saw several Indians suffering from ‘eye stroke’ cases owing to soaring temperatures. And there was also the matter of doctors warning against petticoat cancer.
As we look forward to 2025 and new beginnings, here’s a roundup of our best health stories from the year gone by.
1) If 2020 was about COVID-19, then 2024 was about mpox. The virus spread rapidly across the world with several cases being reported in Europe, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it as a public health emergency.
According to experts, many who were testing positive for this virus were diagnosed with the virus’ Clade 1B. But what is this strain of mpox and what made it more dangerous?
2) The year 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. India experienced this unprecedented heat in the months of May, with some places recording temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the world also recorded some soaring high levels of heat. For instance, in Mohenjo Daro, a town in Sindh, temperatures rose as high as 52.2 C. The soaring mercury levels led many to ask how hot is too hot? And what happens if our bodies can’t handle the rising heat?
Our explainer has these answers for you. (Hint, the answer goes way beyond the reading on the thermometer).
3) On the topic of heat, many doctors in India reported a rise in cases of ‘eye stroke’, attributing it to the rising temperatures. Many medical professionals sounded off an alarm over this condition, as the mercury levels kept climbing until mid-June.
But what exactly is this condition ? How deadly is it? And how is it linked to heatwaves?
4) For many, the year 2024 will be remembered for the fact that two Nasa astronauts — Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore — got stuck in space after Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule suffered multiple glitches. Now, what was supposed to be a week-long mission has dragged on to being more than six months long, with their return now scheduled for March.
The prolonged stay by the astronauts created quite a lot of chatter, with many asking what would be the impact of such a stay be on their health. It also led many to ponder just how women astronauts manage their menstrual cycle while in space.
Are you curious about the same? Then our explainer is for you.
5) Cancer cases were everywhere in 2024. Britain’s Princess of Wales, Kate, had it and Indian television actor Hina Khan is battling it. The WHO has announced that cancer cases will keep rising, prompting medical experts to research if a vaccine could help fight this condition.
Amid this, Russia announced mid-December that it was all set to roll out a vaccine against cancer in the New Year. According to Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, the cancer vaccine would suppress tumour growth, preventing the spread of the disease.
Why does this matter? Read on to find out.
6) While we are still talking about cancer, many doctors in India raised concerns about a new form of cancer, which believe it or not, is called ‘ petticoat cancer ’ or ‘saree cancer’. As absurd as it sounds, experts, said that the tightly draped garment could cause skin cancer.
The research, published in BMJ Case Reports, warned that “petticoat cancer,” is possibly triggered when the saree’s underskirt or petticoat around the waist cord is tied very tightly.
7) The human body is often described as complicated, complex and mysterious. And in 2024, this was made clearer when reports emerged that a man in Belgium was acquitted of drink-driving because his lawyers proved that he had auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), which causes carbohydrates in his stomach to be fermented, increasing ethanol levels in his blood and resulting in signs of intoxication.
Think we are bluffing about this? Our report decodes it all.
8) It’s festive season and for many it’s a time to exchange gifts. For many, this means gifting their loved ones a set of non-stick pans or vessels. However, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has cautioned against their use, asking people to use eco-friendly cookware, such as earthen pots and coating-free granite stone utensils.
Why has the ICMR warned against the use of this kitchen staple? Can they be dangerous to human health? Here’s what you need to know .
9) Alia Bhatt has had a stupendous 2024. But in the year gone by, the Bollywood star has also revealed about her battle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In an interview, she said, “I have been zoning out from things since childhood. I would zone out while in the classroom or in the middle of a conversation. Just recently, I took up a psychological test and after that I realised I have ADHD; my spectrum is quite high.”
The Jigra star further stated that it’s because of her ADHD that she refused to sit in the makeup chair for hours during her wedding to Ranbir Kapoor.
Her interview made waves and shone a spotlight on this disorder, which makes it difficult for people to focus on a particular task and sit still for long.
Still don’t know about it? Read on — from what it is to how common it can be.
10) This year also saw Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann being hospitalised in September. Following this, doctors diagnosed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader with a bacterial disease known as leptospirosis.
What causes this bacterial disease? How can it be treated? Our explainer has these answers and more .
11) Since its formulation, Ozempic has become a game-changer in the weight loss industry. Its popularity has skyrocketed and it has been reported that the company behind this drug, Novo Nordisk, has even spurred Denmark’s economy by 2.1 per cent.
But not everyone can afford Ozempic. Some don’t have access to it because it isn’t available in that country — think India. But those people shouldn’t fret, as the internet provided a dupe for Ozempic, that quickly went viral.
Introducing Rice-zempic — a cheaper and supposedly “safer” alternative to shedding the kilos without making your wallet lighter.
12) Bent or straight? That was the question many have asked before when it comes to taking one’s blood pressure? What is the right way position your arm to capture the reading accurately?
A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the United States finally has the answer for us. Study senior author Dr Tammy Brady said arm position makes a “huge difference” when it comes to an accurate blood pressure measurement and people should always have their arm on firm support such as a desk or table.
Interested in knowing more, click here .
And this marks the end of our yearly roundup of the big explainers from the world of health .
We promise to bring you better and more interesting stories in 2025. Until then, keep reading and stay healthy!
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