Smokers who make the decision to quit will experience immediate health benefits, including a rapid reduction in their risk of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The study, conducted by Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, offers compelling evidence for smokers to quit, showing that it’s never too late to avoid the damaging effects of smoking on heart health.

Dr. Marcus, the senior author of the study, emphasized that A-Fib can be prevented even in individuals who have smoked for years. "The findings provide a compelling new reason to show current smokers that it’s not too late to quit, and that having smoked in the past doesn’t mean you’re ‘destined’ to develop A-Fib," Marcus explained. "Even for the current and longtime smoker, A-Fib can still be avoided."

What is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

"There’s strong evidence that smoking increases the risk of A-Fib," Marcus said. "But the benefits of quitting smoking have been less certain." With this in mind, his team sought to determine whether quitting could significantly lower a person’s risk of developing A-Fib, or if the risk would remain the same.

The research team analyzed data from over 146,700 current and former smokers, tracking their smoking habits and health over a 12-year period using data from the UK Biobank database. The results were promising: former smokers had a 13% lower risk of developing A-Fib compared to current smokers, while those who quit during the study saw an 18% reduction in their risk.

"This is likely a testament to the potency of reducing atrial fibrillation risk pretty shortly after quitting," Marcus said in a statement from the American College of Cardiology.

The findings highlight the importance of quitting smoking, not only for general health but specifically for reducing the risk of serious heart conditions like A-Fib.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of A-Fib and improve overall heart health. While it can be challenging, the benefits of quitting are clear and immediate. Here are some tips to help you quit smoking successfully:

1. Choose a specific date to quit smoking and stick to it. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for this change.

2. Reach out to family, friends, or a support group to help keep you accountable. Sharing your goals with others can provide encouragement.

3. Options like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges can help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

4. Identify situations that make you want to smoke, such as stress or social gatherings, and find healthy ways to cope with them.

5. Regular exercise can help distract you from cravings and improve your mood during the quitting process.

6. Drinking water can help flush nicotine out of your system faster, reducing cravings.

7. Activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress, a common trigger for smoking.

Quitting smoking offers immediate and significant benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation. The latest research provides smokers with more motivation to quit, showing that it's never too late to take control of their heart health.

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has shared that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and recently underwent treatment for skin cancer, offering fans a personal explanation for her years-long absence.

In a heartfelt statement released on July 27, the 83-year-old You're So Vain singer revealed that she has been privately navigating multiple health challenges while continuing to work on new music.

The announcement comes just weeks before the release of Comes in Waves, her first album of original material since 2008.

Carly Simon Opens Up About Parkinson's Disease

Addressing her prolonged absence from public life, Simon wrote, "So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing."

She then revealed the reason behind her disappearance. She said that she has been learning how to live with Parkinson's disease.

Simon explained that her health struggles initially began with severe arthritis in her hips and knees, leading to joint replacement surgeries. However, when her mobility continued to worsen after surgery, she sought further evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, where she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Also read: Neurological Disorders Emerging As India's Next Major Public Health Challenge, Say Experts

Living With Parkinson's

Simon also spoke candidly about living with Parkinson's, emphasizing that the disease affects each person differently.

She described experiencing good days and difficult days, adding that she is receiving treatment and adapting to a new routine while continuing to prioritize her health and creative work. Fatigue, mobility issues and other symptoms have become part of her daily life, she said

Despite the diagnosis, Simon stressed that she remains committed to making music. "I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working," she said.

She shared that spending more time at home allowed her to revisit unfinished songs and complete new material, resulting in Comes in Waves, which she describes as a project that helped sustain her through some of her most challenging years.

Also read: World Brain Day: Climate Change Is Not Just Harming The Planet, It Could Also Be Affecting Your Brain

Also Diagnosed With Skin Cancer

Alongside Parkinson's disease, Simon disclosed that she was treated for basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. Although the cancer was successfully removed through surgery, she admitted that the procedure altered her appearance and affected her confidence.

Reflecting on the experience with characteristic wit, she referenced one of her most iconic songs, noting that concerns about her appearance made it difficult to return to the spotlight.

Also read: Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, ‘Miracle On The Hudson’ Pilot, Reveals Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. It develops when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine gradually deteriorate. Common symptoms include:

• Tremors
• Muscle stiffness
• Slowed movement
• Balance and coordination problems
• Fatigue
• Changes in speech and facial expressions

Although there is currently no cure, medications, physical therapy and lifestyle interventions can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

By sharing her diagnoses, Simon joins a growing number of public figures who have spoken openly about living with Parkinson's disease, helping raise awareness about the condition while reducing stigma.

India's National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) has screened more than 210.6 million people and treated over 612,000 patients as of March 2026, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ahead of World Hepatitis Day 2026.

Viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths globally in 2015, a toll comparable to tuberculosis. In India, an estimated 40 million people live with Hepatitis B, while 6-12 million have Hepatitis C.

According to the 2021 HIV Sentinel Surveillance:

• 0.85% tested positive for Hepatitis B
• 0.29% tested positive for Hepatitis C

This is roughly equivalent to 1 in 118 people testing positive for Hepatitis B and 1 in 345 for Hepatitis C among those surveyed.

India's Plan to Eliminate Hepatitis

Launched in 2018, the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program aims to:

• Eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030
• Reduce infections, illness and deaths caused by Hepatitis B and C
• Prevent complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer
• Reduce the burden of Hepatitis A and E

"Since 2018, India's National Viral Hepatitis Control Program has offered free screening and treatment for Hepatitis B and C nationwide. Smart use of local funding, cheaper generic drugs, and existing health programs has helped expand this care further," the government said in an official statement.

"Services are now moving from district hospitals down to local health centers, bringing testing and treatment closer to everyone," it added.

How Does It Work?

• Covers Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E
• Free testing and medicines for Hepatitis B and C
• Digital patient monitoring through the NVHCP-MIS portal
• Focus on prevention, awareness, screening and treatment
• The NVHCP is integrated with several health programs to expand access to prevention and care.
• Universal screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis B birth dose for every newborn
• HBIG for infants born to Hepatitis B-positive mothers within 24 hours
• Screening of high-risk groups for Hepatitis B and C
• Hepatitis B vaccination for healthcare workers and eligible high-risk groups
• Uses existing TB molecular testing machines for hepatitis diagnosis
• Refers Hepatitis B and C-positive blood donors for treatment

What Is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, alcohol, certain drugs, toxins, or autoimmune diseases. Hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of chronic liver disease and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated.

World Hepatitis Day 2026

World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis.

The World Hepatitis Day 2026 theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” is a call to remove the barriers that stand between people and the services that can save their lives. Viral hepatitis continues to be a major cause of preventable illness and death worldwide.

Europe is battling an intense heatwave and fast-spreading wildfires, with soaring temperatures and prolonged dry conditions fueling blazes across the continent. France and Spain are among the hardest hit, with more than 360,000 people evacuated.

The crisis follows weeks of extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) across several countries. A European Commission official said the wildfire season, which began in April, could last until early November. European Commissioner for Crisis Response Hadja Lahbib warned that wildfire damage this year could surpass previous records.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), wildfires burned 2.2 million hectares across the WHO European Region last year, up from 1.4 million hectares in 2022.

"New data reveals a sharp rise in wildfires across parts of the WHO European Region between January and July this year. Portugal and Spain have seen reported wildfires increase by more than 100% compared with the same period in 2025," said Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

France and Spain Bear the Brunt

France

• More than 250,000 people evacuated
• Fires on the Cap Ferret peninsula have burned over 42,000 hectares and spread toward Bordeaux.
• A rare fire thunderstorm in Gironde generated its own winds and lightning, making the blaze highly unpredictable.

The wildfire is "unlike any we have ever seen in France" because it is "following its own logic rather than any known pattern," said Nouvelle-Aquitaine prefect Sophie Brocas. "The fire is not over and remains extremely dangerous," she warned.

Spain

• More than 116,000 people evacuated
• Around 4,300 hectares burned in Castellón province.
• More than 153,000 hectares have burned nationwide this year.

Spain's meteorological agency Aemet warned that a new heatwave beginning July 29 is expected to last until at least August 2, with temperatures nearing or exceeding 40°C in several regions.

The agency also warned of a "significant or even extraordinary" fire risk, particularly for outdoor workers, older adults, and people with cardiovascular disease.

Belgium Worst Mortality Rate

Belgium recorded Europe's highest excess mortality during the late-June heatwave, according to EuroMOMO.

Data from Belgium's public health institute Sciensano showed more than 2,000 additional deaths, with excess mortality reaching 48%, compared with 23% in France and 13% in the Netherlands.

Canada Also Facing Severe Wildfires

Canada is also battling its own wildfire emergency after nearly 34,000 lightning strikes in a week ignited multiple fires across British Columbia. Authorities have issued 25 evacuation orders, while smoke has drifted into parts of the United States.

Climate Change Behind Extreme Fires

"As climate change drives a warming world, we need to prepare for more frequent and intense wildfires," said Dr. Hans Kluge.

He noted that Europe is the world's fastest-warming region, where heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives over the past four years, while heat-related deaths have increased by 30% over the past two decades.

What Are the Health Risks?

Extreme heat and wildfire smoke can seriously affect health, especially among:

• Older adults
• Children
• Pregnant women
• People with heart disease
• People with chronic lung conditions

"Smoke can travel long distances, worsening heart and respiratory conditions and affecting mental health. Fires can also disrupt access to healthcare and other public services," Kluge said.

Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke

Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Persistent coughing and breathing difficulties
• Reduced lung function
• Bronchitis
• Asthma flare-ups
• Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
• Premature death in severe cases

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of long-term heart and lung disease.

WHO Safety Advice

The WHO recommends:

• Follow evacuation orders immediately.
• Limit outdoor activities when air quality is poor.
• Wear a well-fitting mask if exposure to smoke is unavoidable.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or worsening respiratory symptoms.