Research found an 18% increase in alcohol-related deaths during the pandemic, with the highest rise in 2020-21. Alcohol-related hospitalizations also grew by 8%, particularly affecting younger adults and women. The increase was linked to higher alcohol consumption due to stress, boredom, and mental health issues during lockdowns. These findings highlight the urgent need for public health interventions to address this.

A study found that breast cancer patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS) had a better quality of life than those with a mastectomy. Younger and older patients reported similar well-being. Urban patients fared better than rural ones, while advanced-stage cancer patients had the lowest quality of life. The findings highlight the need for personalized care, financial support, and education to enhance patient well-being.

A study analyzed over 50,000 eyes using AI to map retinal thickness and its connection to diseases like diabetes, dementia & multiple sclerosis. The retina can reflect neurological and metabolic disorders. Researchers identified new genetic factors influencing retinal thinning, potentially aiding early disease detection. Findings suggest that routine retinal imaging could serve as a non-invasive screening tool for systemic diseases.

IIT Madras launched the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA) after sequencing 960 breast cancer samples from 480 patients across India. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in cancer genomic data, as India has been underrepresented in global cancer genome studies. The BCGA provides a publicly accessible database to aid researchers and clinicians in early diagnostics, disease progression analysis, and treatment development.