Young India Network for Good Health

Prof. T K Thomas 13 Jun, 2019 Healthy India Alliance working for prevention and control of Non Communicable Diseases [NCDs] urges the Government to take expeditious action against alcohol harm in India. The Alliance, comprising over a dozen Indian non-profit organizations working in the field of cancer prevention, palliative care, tobacco and alcohol advocacy etc. and member organizations of IOGT International want the government to focus on multi- sectoral alcohol policy action in India to tackle the heavy burden of alcohol harm. The Alliance has highlighted a recent study by New Lancet, world’s leading independent general medical journal. According to the study, there is a 38% increase in alcohol use among Indians (from 2010 to 2017) – a deviation from the National Communicable Diseases [NCDs] target of a 10% reduction in alcohol consumption by 2025. The Healthy India Alliance flagged key alcohol control measures that need urgent attention of the Governm...

New Lancet study highlights 38% increase in alcohol use among Indians (from 2010 to 2017) - a deviation from the national NCD target of reducing alcohol consumption by 10% by 2025 Alcohol poses serious threat to sustainable development and public health, manifesting its severe outcomes through multiple Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), adversely affecting physical and mental health. Over the years, consumption of alcoholic beverages,particularly among young people and women, has gained increasing popularity and social acceptance. "Alcohol drags people into poverty and adversely affect their families and entire communities. The direct and indirect costs of alcohol harm to the household is the biggest barrier in sustainable development. Alcohol harm is jeopardizing human capital and draining out all govt. welfare measures and family earnings.” Mr Suneel Vatsyayan , Chairperson, Nada India Foundation   The study published in The Lancet (citation below), has alarmingly...

Prof.T K Thomas 04 Jun, 2019    “with the growing young population in India, it becomes extremely important to involve youth and understand their needs at the policy level. This can help them to effectively deal with the cross cutting issues like linkages between alcoholism, tobacco use and tuberculosis. The government must make the political decision to put youth first to make the universal health coverage a reality.” The annual World No Tobacco Day was observed on 31st May. The day is observed by the World Health Organization [WHO] and global partners as an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. This year’s focus for the day was, “Tobacco and lung health”. Everyone knows how tobacco affects our lungs. The WHO release says, the campaign will increase awareness on, “the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer, to chronic r...