WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Fluoride, abundant in nature, primarily sourced from water, is crucial for preventing dental caries. While water fluoridation is effective, alternatives like milk and salt fluoridation are explored due to feasibility and cost concerns. However, excessive fluoride intake raises toxicity concerns, leading to debates and bans in some countries. The article reviews fluoride's benefits, risks, and various delivery methods for dental health.

BMI is a key measure for overweight (25-29.9 kg/m²) and obesity (≥30 kg/m²), with higher risks of diseases like diabetes and CVD. Ethnic differences in BMI-related risks exist, with Asians at higher risk at lower BMIs. Obesity prevalence is higher in non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. Overweight and obesity increase morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery, with bariatric surgery being the most effective.

Global guidelines recommend colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for average-risk individuals aged 50-75, using colonoscopy (every 10 years), flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years), or fecal occult blood tests (annually/biennially). Discrepancies exist in test preferences, intervals, and age ranges. FIT is favored over gFOBT for its higher sensitivity and specificity. Screening decisions should consider resource availability and individual preferences.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, with most side effects being mild and short-lived. EMA emphasizes consulting reliable sources for vaccine information and addresses common misconceptions. Vaccines reduce virus transmission and are updated to combat new variants. Continuous safety monitoring ensures public health protection.

Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania protozoans, affects over 350 million people globally, with 1.3 million new cases annually. It manifests in visceral and cutaneous forms, transmitted by sandflies. Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by L. donovani and L. infantum, is lethal, while cutaneous leishmaniasis results in skin lesions. Treatment and understanding of the disease's mechanisms remain challenging.

Mental health services in LMICs face challenges like scarce resources, stigma, and cultural barriers. Solutions include integrating care into primary health, leveraging community and family support, and adapting evidence-based treatments to local cultures. Political will, improved legislation, and resource allocation are crucial for progress.

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b, a next-generation mono-pegylated IFN-α-2b, showed promising efficacy and safety in a phase 1/2 study with 51 polycythemia vera patients. Administered every 2 weeks, it achieved a 90% overall response rate without dose-limiting toxicities. The study supports its development in a phase 3 trial.

Health research shifted from individual to social determinants, recognizing socioeconomic factors' role in disparities. The focus now is on health equity, addressing societal and structural levels for sustainable solutions. Multidisciplinary, multilevel research and community involvement are key to achieving health equity.

Obesity is a global health crisis, with significant increases in overweight and obese populations worldwide. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are linked to weight gain, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to high sugar content and low satiety. Reducing SSB intake is recommended to mitigate these health risks.

A systematic review found that the rate of ectopic pregnancy after emergency contraceptive pill failure (0.6% for mifepristone, 1% for levonorgestrel) does not exceed the general population rate. Emergency contraceptive pills reduce the risk of pregnancy, thereby lowering the chance of ectopic pregnancy.