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Summary At the present stage of India's health transition, chronic diseases contribute to an estimated 53% of deaths and 44% of disability-adjusted life-years lost. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are highly prevalent in urban areas. Tobacco-related cancers account for a large proportion of all cancers. Tobacco consumption, in diverse smoked and smokeless forms, is common, especially among the poor and rural population segments. Hypertension and dyslipidaemia, although common, are inadequately detected and treated. Demographic and socioeconomic factors are hastening the health transition, with sharp escalation of chronic disease burdens expected over the next 20 years. A national cancer control programme, initiated in 1975, has established 13 registries and increased the capacity for treatment. A comprehensive law for tobacco control was enacted in 2003. An integrated national programme for the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes is under development. There is a need to increase resource allocation, coordinate multisectoral policy interventions, and enhance the engagement of the health system in activities related to chronic disease prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the successful polio eradication program of the World Health Organization (WHO) in southeast Asia and its faltering progress in other regions. Topics discussed include India as the last of the 11 countries in Southeast Asia to be polio-free certified as of January 13, 2014, the demographic implications of polio eradication in India and polio as still endemic in Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The article presents an overview of a health crisis in India which has resulted from an ongoing conflict between India's Maoist rebels and India's government. The conflict has occurred across states in the eastern and central sections of the country and which has resulted in the displacement of thousands of people who have been forced to live in refugee camps. A discussion of the factors which have led to the crisis, including a lack of access to medical care, medical supplies, clean drinking water and food, is presented.

The authors reflect on Indian public-private partnership for skilled birth attendance. They suggest that while emergency obstetric care has been recognized as vital to the reduction of maternal mortality India has faced a shortage of obstetricians to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric care in rural areas. They argue that with proper arrangements private practitioners in the country can be motivated to provide skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care to poor women at a fair cost.

This article looks at efforts in India to lower the rate of maternal deaths from pregnancy. In the poorest, most rural parts of India, prenatal and postnatal health care is not available which results in a high death rate. In wealthier areas the birth rate declines as maternity services are readily available. India has instituted a process called Maternal and Perinatal Death Inquiry and Response (MAPEDIR) which is a collaborative effort with several agencies from around the world to capture the causes of death. MAPEDIR has been implemented in 16 districts of five states with high maternal mortality and has catalysed local action in some of them.

This article comments on the fact that child malnutrition continues to rise in India despite the economic boom in that country. Even affluent states have seen the increase in malnutrition in children under the age of 3. The information comes from India's 2006-06 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) which shows that half of Indian children under 3 are underweight. Part of the problem appears to be cultural as in some states girls are fed worse than boys in rural areas. Much of the problems stem from inadequate prenatal care which creates many low birth weight babies. An agreement between the Government of Haryana and UNICEF shows some promise as they will work together to improve social conditions for women and children in their state.

The article focuses on the issue of prenatal sex selections for non-medical reasons. The author reviews how the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority recently reaffirmed its position opposing sex selection for non-medical reasons. According to the author, evidence shows that families in India and China prefer to have a boy and believe their family is unbalanced without a boy. The social role of women in developing countries is analyzed. Efforts being made to stop prenatal sex selection are reviewed.

The article reports that India has the highest number of births and neonatal deaths in the world. The article describes India's National Rural Health Mission whose primary goal is to reduce the infant mortality rate. The country is training grassroots neonatologists and teaching mothers proper breastfeeding techniques. The article mentions the positive effects of Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness, a plan to develop mothers' skills in caring for their infants.

The article reports that India has surpassed South Africa as the country with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. According to UNAIDS, 5.7 million people in India are infected, a number which includes for the first time children and adults over 50. Infection tends to be a result of heterosexual intercourse and many married women are among those infected. In the north east and in major cities, intravenous drug use is increasingly a factor, as is sex work. Poverty, stigma, low education and gender inequality make prevention difficult. The article argues that India must continue to fight for the right to produce generic antiretrovirals and free treatment, in spite of the UN's failure to include targets for prevention and treatment in its June 2, 2006 political declaration.

Comments on population policies in India as of May 7, 2005. Projected growth of India's population through 2030; Recommendation of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Sudipto Roy that India adopt a one-child policy similar to that of China; Debate over government regulation of birth control in India; Assertion of opponents that a one-child policy would increase female infanticide due to a cultural preference for sons; Description of gender imbalance in India's birth rate; Objection of many public health officials to a focus on birth control and contraception; Social and economic factors in the stabilization of India's population.

Offers a look at health policies in India as of May 2004. Elections that took place on May 13 between the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Congress party, led by Sonia Gandhi; Lack of public interest in national policies on health; Reference to a public opinion poll on the importance of health in the election; Distribution of wealth in India; Lack of public expenditures on health; Discussion of the poor social status of women and their lack of empowerment; Prevalence of HIV and AIDS in India.

Reports that health ministers from Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Niger, Nigeria and Pakistan have pledged to boost their polio-eradication activities in a bid to wipe out the disease. Commitment of these countries to ensure that all eligible children are reached during the polio-immunization campaign; Discussion of cultural taboos that have led to disruptions in the polio-vaccination campaign in parts of Nigeria; Budget for the polio campaign reported by the World Health Organization.

Discusses the impact of selective abortion on the girl-to-boy ratio in the population of India. Findings of the United Nations Population Fund which indicate a trend in aborting female fetuses; How the imbalance can affect society; Problem of infanticide in some states; The preference for sons; Role of technology in allowing parents to choose whether to continue a pregnancy; Indication that the law banning sex determination is not enforced; Suggestion of Mira Shiva of the Voluntary Health Association of India for education that will help change family attitudes; Campaigns introduced by the Indian Medical Association and the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India.

Reports on the release of a revised national health policy in India. Idea that the policy had not been revised for 18 years; Publication of the policy by Indian health minister C P Thakur; Shortcomings of the previous draft.

States that India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) began a campaign for the inclusion of health as a fundamental constitutional right. Recommendation of an April 2000 workshop on health and human rights sponsored by NHRC and Unicef to protect the rights of women and children; Data on maternal mortality; Proposal by the government of a National Nutrition Mission to address the problem of anemia.

Reports that the Indian government under the Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to promote swadeshi, or indigenous systems. Encouragement of traditional medical practices such as ayurveda, yoga, and homeopathy; Government support for traditional systems to be reimbursed of medical expenses of government employees; Interest of India's drug industry in the international market for traditional products.

Focuses on the mental health of police personnel in New Delhi, India. Results of an internal review and a 1996 study by India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences; Reasons for stress in their jobs; Introduction of courses on Vipasana meditation.

Reports the announcement by the Indian government of its National Population Policy on February 17, 2000. Goal of stabilizing the population size by 2045; Statistics on India's population; Features and incentives of the population control policy.

Mentions the success of India's Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), which is based on the Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS). International review of RNTCP; Cure rates; Costs.

Reveals that Krishna Tirath, social welfare minister in Delhi, India, has ordered compulsory HIV testing of all children living in government care homes. How the order violates a national policy on HIV testing; Recommendation of a voluntary testing of women who live in government care; Criticism of the testing by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).