Cancer poses a significant public health challenge in India, making it crucial to predict its future impact for effective healthcare planning. This study forecast cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in India from 2022 to 2031. We extracted age-standardized data on incidence, prevalence, DALYs, and mortality from 1990 to 2021 from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. We used Decadal Average Percentage Change techniques to identify trends in cancer burden over decades and the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method were used for forecasting. The ARIMA (2,2,2) model was identified as the best for predicting cancer incidence, ARIMA (0,3,3) for DALYs, and ARIMA (0,2,2) for mortality. The cancer incidence rate is expected to rise from 529.40 (95% CI: 525.41-533.38) in 2022 to 549.17 (95% CI: 487.43-610.92) per 100,000 population in 2031. The DALYs rate is projected to decrease from 2001.53 (95% CI: 1964.24-2038.82) in 2022 to 1842.08 (95% CI: 1273.57-2410.60) per 100,000 population in 2031, indicating improvements in cancer burden management. Mortality rates are forecasted to increase slightly, from 71.52 (95% CI: 69.91–73.12) in 2022 to 73.00 (95% CI: 60.88–85.11) per 100,000 population in 2031. Overall, while incidence and mortality rates show a slight upward trend, the DALYs rate is projected to decrease, reflecting potential advancements in cancer management and treatment over the forecast period. Over the next decade, cancer incidence and mortality are expected to increase in India, highlighting the need for enhanced prevention, early detection, and proper treatment strategies. Despite these increases, the anticipated decrease in DALYs suggests potential advancements in cancer management, warranting further investigation into the drivers of this positive trend and measures to sustain it.

Integrating digital technology into daily life has made video games a primary form of entertainment for adolescents worldwide. Despite their benefits, excessive gaming has emerged as a significant public health issue, recognized as a gaming disorder by the World Health Organization in the ICD-11. This study aims to assess the prevalence of gaming disorders among adolescents through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic review and meta-analysis. A search was conducted across multiple databases until February 15, 2024. Observational studies that assessed the prevalence of gaming disorder were included. Nested Knowledge software was used for screening and data extraction. The quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Meta-analysis using a random effect model was used to synthesize prevalence rates. Statistical analyses were performed in R software version 4.3. The meta-analysis included 84 studies covering a diverse geographical scope totaling 641,763 individuals. The pooled prevalence of gaming disorder was 8.6 % (95 % CI: 6.9 %-10.8 %), (I² = 100 %). Subgroup analysis revealed varying prevalence rates by country, with China reporting the highest rate at 11.7 % (95 % CI: 8.6 %-15.7 %). Meta-regression analysis highlighted an increasing trend in the prevalence of gaming disorder over the years, underscoring the growing impact of digital technologies. A significant prevalence of gaming disorder among adolescents is observed. With an increasing trend, fostering healthy gaming habits, enhancing awareness, and implementing effective intervention programs are crucial. This emphasizes the importance of global efforts in combating the growing challenge of gaming disorder among adolescents.

Periodontitis, a prevalent inflammatory disease affecting tooth-supporting structures, leads to significant oral health and systemic complications if untreated. While traditional smoking is a well-known risk factor for periodontitis, the impact of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on periodontal health remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize existing evidence on the effects of e-cigarette use on periodontitis and other periodontal outcomes. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science from their inception up to June 15 2024. Eligible studies included those assessing the impact of e-cigarette use on periodontal outcomes such as bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, and marginal bone loss. Data were extracted and analyzed using random-effect models to calculate pooled mean differences. R statistical software was used to perform meta-analyses. Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. E-cigarette users showed a significantly lower mean BOP score compared to non-users (pooled mean difference: -14.233; 95% CI: -20.424 to -8.043; I² = 99%). For other periodontal outcomes, the findings were as follows: Plaque Index (MD: -0.160; 95% CI: -0.680 to 0.360; I² = 95%), Clinical Attachment Loss (MD: 0.120; 95% CI: -0.045 to 0.285; I² = 90%), Probing Depth (MD: 0.056; 95% CI: -0.070 to 0.182; I² = 85%), and Marginal Bone Loss (MD: -0.052; 95% CI: -0.168 to 0.064; I² = 88%). Present studies have not identified a significant link between e-cigarette use and adverse effects on periodontal health, but the available research is limited. Further longitudinal research is necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of e-cigarette use on periodontal health and to clarify any associated risks.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant health concern in India, especially among households with children and young adolescents aged 6–17 years. Despite ongoing research, there is a knowledge gap regarding specific risk factors for TB within this demographic. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the association between TB and various socio-demographic factors, including socioeconomic status, nutritional status, and environmental conditions. Utilizing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4th and 5th round (2015-16 and 2019-21), this study conducted a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis. Unadjusted and Adjusted Logistic regression is utilized to identify key factors influencing TB. Furthermore, Wagstaff decomposition analysis is applied, to quantifying the factors that contributes to the inequalities in social determinants on the wealth-related inequality observed in the prevalence of TB. The study observed a notable decline in TB prevalence from 1.7 to 1.2% among individuals from households having children and young adolescents aged 6–17 years. Additionally, factors like the use of unclean cooking fuel, lack of electricity, and unimproved toilet facilities were associated with increased TB prevalence. Wealth-based inequality in TB prevalence was also evident, with the burden falling disproportionately on poorer households. Unclean fuel is the most significant determinant of wealth-based inequality in TB, contributing to nearly 2/5th (18.5% in NFHS-4) of the observed inequality. Notably, gender did not significantly influence TB prevalence. The decline in TB prevalence in India correlates with improvements in socio-economic and living conditions, as evidenced by increased access to better housing, clean fuel, and sanitation facilities. The study underscores the need for integrated public health strategies that address both medical and socio-environmental determinants of TB. Improving socio-economic conditions, alongside targeted healthcare interventions, appears vital in reducing the TB burden in high-prevalence settings like India. This research emphasizes the importance of comprehensive approaches to combat pediatric TB, combining clinical care with enhancements in living standards and access to basic amenities.