Think before you drink

Dear readers,

Thank you for your constant support and patronage to Double Helical. It is deeply satisfying to see your favourite magazine making further strides as a credible publication on health, well-being and holistic living.

The current issue’s cover story focuses on the increasing trend of alcohol consumption worldwide. Globally, an estimated 237 million men and 46 million women suffer from alcohol-use disorde with the highest prevalence among men and women in the European region (14.8% and 3.5%) and the Region of Americas (11.5% and 5.1%). Alcohol-use disorders are more common in high-income countries. Alcohol consumption can have an impact not only on the incidence of diseases, injuries and other health conditions, but also on the course of disorders and their outcomes for individuals.

Despite some positive global trends in the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking and number of alcohol-related  deaths since 2010, the overall burden of disease and injuries caused by the harmful use of alcohol is unacceptably high, particularly in the European Region and the Region of Americas.

With growing awareness of  the  impact of alcohol consumption on global health and an increase in international frameworks for action, the demand for global information on alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable and alcohol-related harm, as well as related policy responses, has increased significantly. The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) has been developed

by WHO to dynamically present data on levels and patterns of alcohol consumption, alcohol-attributable health and social consequences and policy responses at all levels. Achieving reduction in the harmful use of alcohol is in line with the targets included in the SDG 2030 agenda and the WHO Global Monitoring Framework for Non- Communicable Diseases. The goal requires concerted action by countries, effective global governance and appropriate engagement of all relevant stakeholders. By effectively working together, the negative health and social consequences of alcohol can be reduced.

As part of Special Story, we focus on recent implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017. We welcome such path-breaking initiative to eliminate social stigma pertaining to HIV  infected  people. As per constitutional provisions, everyone has a right live with great respect. No one should be mocked and humiliated for having any type of diseases including HIV infection.

India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world. Although overall prevalence remains low, even relatively minor increases in HIV infection rates in a country of more than one billion people translate into large numbers of people becoming infected.

With an aim to prevent discrimination against individuals diagnosed with HIV/ AIDS, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently issued a notification for bringing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 in force from 10th September, 2018.

The Act, safeguards the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV. The provisions of the Act address HIV-related discrimination,  strengthen the existing programme by bringing in legal accountability, and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances.

The Act seeks to prevent  and  control the spread of HIV and AIDS, prohibits discrimination against persons with  HIV and AIDS. The Act stipulates that every HIV- infected or affected person below the age of 18 years has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of the household. The Act also prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those living with  them.

As per provisions of the Act, a person between the age of 12 to 18 years who has sufficient maturity in understanding and managing the affairs of his HIV or AIDS affected family shall be competent to act as  a guardian of another sibling below 18  years

of age to be applicable in the matters relating to admission to educational establishments, operating bank accounts, managing property, care and treatment, amongst others. As per the provisions of the Act, every person in the care and custody of the state shall have right to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and counseling services.

Besides, the issues carries many more informative, analytical and interesting stories with new perspectives. Happy reading!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *