Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India.
Articles by Rhythma Kaul
WHO ‘regrets’ US withdrawal; experts fear adverse impact
US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order beginning the process of withdrawing America from the World Health Organisation
Published on Jan 21, 2025 06:11 PM IST
Health Talk | How do the revised obesity guidelines help
India has experienced a doubling of obesity prevalence over the past two decades, with abdominal obesity becoming particularly prevalent.
Published on Jan 18, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Obesity norms for India updated after 15 years
The term overweight is no more a part of the India-specific obesity guidelines that were revised after nearly 15 years and published on Wednesday.
Updated on Jan 16, 2025 06:08 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Going beyond BMI: Major overhaul of obesity diagnosis proposed
The suggestions, according to the commission,are designed to address limitations in the traditional definition and diagnosis of obesity.
Published on Jan 15, 2025 07:17 AM IST
Bengal maternal death highlights concerns surrounding handling of medicines
The laxity in enforcing regulatory norms is one of the key issues that need to be addressed to check such incidents, especially with some of the drugs being made by small companies, experts said
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 07:10 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Health Talk | Why hMPV shouldn’t be feared like Covid-19
No need to panic it does no harm to take regular precautions during this flu season such as following cough etiquette and wearing a mask in public spaces.
Published on Jan 13, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Eating at odd hours raises risk of obesity, diabetes: Study
Eating at odd hours disrupts liver-brain signals, leading to obesity and metabolic disorders, a study reveals, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.
Updated on Jan 11, 2025 03:35 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Old ailment, known pathogen: A warning against HMPV panic
HMPV is a common respiratory virus with low alarm; many are exposed by age 5. Current Indian cases are mild, with no unusual surge reported.
Updated on Jan 07, 2025 06:11 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Health Talk | 5 years of Covid-19: Learnings, challenges, successes, and mystery
The Covid-19 pandemic entirely changed how epidemics are managed, development of vaccines and disease surveillance
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 07:19 PM IST
‘Nothing to be alarmed about’: Centre on China HMPV outbreak
The statement came after reports of a large number of pneumonia cases associated with HPMV being recorded in China.
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 04:37 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
One Nation One Subscription launched to facilitate access to research articles
The scheme will benefit around 18 million students, faculty, and researchers across disciplines such as STEM, medicine, social sciences, finance and accounts.
Updated on Jan 02, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Health Talk | How India is winning the war against malaria
Over seven decades, India has transformed its fight against malaria, achieving a 97% reduction in cases and a significant decline in deaths
Published on Dec 30, 2024 04:08 PM IST
Rhythma Kaul picks her favourite read of 2024
21 reassuringly narrated stories that present all that’s known about the liver, diseases related to it, transplant surgery, and cancer
Published on Dec 27, 2024 03:46 PM IST
Health Talk: Why an India-made Chikungunya vaccine is good news
Serum Institute of India will manufacture Valneva's anti-Chikungunya vaccine for India and select Asian markets, addressing a major public health issue.
Updated on Dec 21, 2024 01:18 PM IST
SII to manufacture French firm’s vaccine for chikungunya
Serum Institute of India will manufacture a chikungunya vaccine for the Indian market and a few other Asian countries under a licensing agreement between the company and France-based Valneva SE’s
Updated on Dec 20, 2024 07:10 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Serum Institute of India to manufacture French company Valneva’s Chikungunya vaccine
According to government data, 11,477 cases of chikunguny were reported last year, and so far, 12,587 confirmed cases have been reported this year
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 07:51 PM IST
Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases drop globally: Study
Regions with high-income countries see less than one death per 100,000 population in children under five.
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 08:28 AM IST
Serum Institute to manufacture Mpox vaccine by Danish maker Bavarian Nordic
India reported the first case of mpox disease caused by the “clade 1b” strain that prompted WHO to declare the infection a global health emergency in September this year, which was the second case of the viral disease so far this year
Published on Dec 16, 2024 08:54 PM IST
Health Talk: Deaths due to drowning a public health concern
WHO warns 7.2M could drown by 2050 if trends continue, despite a 38% drop in global drowning deaths since 2000. Urgent action needed to save lives.
Updated on Dec 14, 2024 01:39 PM IST
PM2.5 exposure leads to 1.5 million deaths in India every year
Fine particulate matter, a common measure of air pollution, refers to particles in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter
Updated on Dec 12, 2024 11:31 AM IST
Health Talk: Why Sidhu's diet plan for wife with cancer garnered criticism
It is not too much to ask a celebrity to make statements responsibly especially when it directly concerns human lives
Published on Dec 10, 2024 03:46 PM IST
Govt to intensify efforts to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025
Nearly 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, of which 26% (or nearly 2.1 million) cases were reported from India, according to WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024
Updated on Dec 07, 2024 07:22 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Central expert panel to look into J&J implant compensations
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Rajiv Singh Raghuvanshi, on Monday issued a formal notice conveying the reconstitution of the committee.
Updated on Dec 06, 2024 06:26 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Japanese encephalitis patient ‘isolated’ case, no fear of outbreak in Delhi
The 72-year-old patient in question was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on November 3 and discharged on November 15.
Updated on Nov 29, 2024 04:56 AM IST
HT Explainer: Japanese Encephalitis
It is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis virus transmitted from animals, pigs, and birds, particularly the ones belonging to the family Ardeidae to humans
Published on Nov 28, 2024 04:14 PM IST
Landscape fires account for 2.5 mn deaths from air pollution in India: Lancet
Between October and December, India’s northern plains are choked by air pollution arising from cool temperature, vehicular emissions and burning of farm stubble
Updated on Nov 28, 2024 09:37 AM IST
ht_print | Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
HIV infections fall 22%, HIV-related deaths 40% globally: Study
The global decline in HIV incidence is largely driven by sub-Saharan Africa, where the likelihood of getting the virus over a lifetime has fallen by 60% since its peak in 1995
Published on Nov 25, 2024 10:53 PM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Delay in clearing imports hits India’s medical industry
Prolonged delays in clearing imports of essential components has resulted in disruptions in the manufacture of medical devices
Updated on Nov 24, 2024 06:40 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
‘Kids’ population to drop by 106mn in 25 years in India
Unicef's 2024 report predicts a stable global child population of 2.3 billion by 2050, with India facing significant climate risks despite a decline in numbers.
Updated on Nov 21, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
FSSAI sets target to train 2.5 million food handlers by 2026
As part of the training, the country’s top food safety regulator will train people in university, college and hostel canteens to ensure availability of hygienically handled, safe food to people.
Updated on Nov 18, 2024 06:56 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi