Japan could become one of the first countries in the world to end the HIV epidemic, says the president of Gilead Sciences Japan, Kennet Brysting. The idea for now could seem a little too ambitious, but it is not entirely unrealistic, given that the availability of medicines that can prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs are not the cure, but control over the spread of virus to the point where the disease is no longer a major public health threat.

What Is The Role Of Preventative HIV Medicines?

Gilead's have two key drugs, Truvada and lenacapavir. These two are playing a crucial role in prevention. Truvada is taken as a daily pill, while lenacapavir requires two injections per year. It can make the virus undetectable in infected individuals and prevent transmission to those who are not infected yet. In trials, lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This is why it is describe as "almost a vaccine".

In 2024, Japan also approved Truvada for HIV prevention, but the country has yet to approve lenacapavir for the same. Until now, people in Japan had been importing generic versions of Truvada or purchasing it from clinics that source it from overseas.

HIV In Japan

Up until now, Japan reported around 25,000 HIV infections, whereas 669 new cases were reported in 2023. For seven consecutive years, the number of new infections remained under 1,000. The downward trend thus shows that the virus has been controlled, however, getting to zero new infections remains the ultimate goal.

Brysting too acknowledged that simply having effective drug is not enough. What is important is to have a proper implementation, access and healthcare support to make sure that these treatments are widely available and effective.

What Are The Challenges In Implementation?

The biggest challenges is testing rates. There is a need to increase testing rates. At this very moment, around 86% people infective with Japan have been tested, but the goal is to increase it up to 95%, with an ideal goal of 100%. Without widespread testing, many infected people may not even know that they are infected and it could transmit the virus.

Another measure issue is the cost of preventative medication. While Japan's health insurance covers treatments for diseases, it does not cover preventative drugs. Those who purchase Truvada for prevention, pay around $470 per month. Some clinics in Tokyo offer generic alternatives too, which is cheaper, but they are not ideal.

Better Healthcare Support

Brysting expressed concern that individuals importing medications might not be consulting doctors regularly, which is essential for monitoring HIV status and overall health. Truvada users need to be tested for HIV initially and every three months, along with screenings for other infections and kidney function checks. Without proper medical supervision, there is a risk of misuse and inadequate protection.

Gilead is in discussions with Japanese authorities to improve access and insurance coverage for Truvada, and progress is being made. Japan has shown efficiency in approving critical medicines, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gilead’s remdesivir was approved in just three days.

What Is The Way Ahead?

Gilead at this moment is not only focused on HIV and hepatitis C, but also expanding into oncology with innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, which strengthens a patient's immune system to fight cancer.

However, Japan’s strict approval processes can slow down drug availability. Phase 3 clinical trials often need to be conducted within the country, and Japan tends to approve medicines much later than other regions. For instance, Truvada was approved for prevention in Japan 12 years after the U.S. and nearly 20 years after its approval for treatment. inancial factors also play a role. The Japanese government adjusts drug prices annually, often reducing them, which can make long-term investment challenging for pharmaceutical companies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first-ever recommendation endorsing GLP-1 medications as part of a long term strategy to manage obesity in adults. Earlier, in the guidance to deal with obesity, the main focus was given to diet and lifestyle changes. Thus, this is a big shift from how the UN agency has traditionally approached obesity treatment.

Until now, WHO guidelines only focused on lifestyle changes including physical activity and diet. The new recommendation acknowledges that medication can play a supportive role when combined with counseling on healthy eating and regular exercise.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the guideline describes long-term use as continuous treatment for at least six months. In its note, WHO called obesity a “chronic, relapsing disease” that affects more than one billion people worldwide and contributes substantially to illness, early death, and economic strain on health systems. GLP-1 therapies, the organization wrote, offer “clinically meaningful weight loss and broad metabolic benefits” when used appropriately.

How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?

GLP-1 drugs mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.

In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.

These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.

Why WHO’s Guidance Matters

In September, WHO added GLP-1 drugs to its list of essential medicines, but only for treating diabetes, not for obesity alone. The new guideline extends that conversation, offering a more formal stance on their use in obesity management. The recommendations were developed by a committee of experts in obesity, pharmacology, and public health, following requests from several WHO member states. They also align with approvals already granted by regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Obesity: A Global Health Challenge

Obesity is now recognized as one of the most widespread health concerns worldwide, linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions, including cancers, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Beyond physical health, it also impacts mental well-being and quality of life. With more than a billion people affected globally, the economic burden on healthcare systems continues to grow.

Also Read: Only 1 in 10 People With Obesity Have Access To Popular GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs, Says WHO

However, the accessibility still remains a major issue. n the United States, the most widely used medications: Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, carry list prices exceeding $1,000 per month. Recently, the Trump administration announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering costs for people paying out of pocket or covered under Medicare or Medicaid.

Every year on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed. It is a UN day that works towards promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of personal with disabilities in all aspects of life.

At the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO), IDPD events are organized to educate the public, raise awareness, advocate for political will and resources, and celebrate WHO's achievement.

Who Are Persons With Disabilities?

As per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or the UNCRPD, persons with disabilities are individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that restrict their ability to participate in society on equal terms.

India’s commitment to accessibility stems from Article 9 of the UNCRPD, which mandates equal access to physical spaces, transportation, and services.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: India’s RPwD Act, 2016, aligns with this definition and adds the term “benchmark disability,” which refers to individuals with at least 40% of a specified disability.

This Act sets accessibility standards for public spaces and digital platforms.

The Act increased reservation for PwDs from 3% to 4% in jobs and 3% to 5% in higher education.

The RPwD Act expanded the list of disabilities from 7 to 21 categories, including conditions like:

• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Acid attack survivors.
• Multiple sclerosis and chronic neurological conditions.

As per the 2011 Census, India is home to 26.8 million persons with disabilities, which means at least 2.21% of its total population. The highest prevalence is observed between the age group of 10 to 19 years. Among them, 20% have mobility impairments, 19% have visual impairment, 19% have hearing impairment, and 8% suffer from multiple disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Theme

This year, the theme is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress, while in 2024, the theme was: 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future'.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Origin

This was first established by the United Nations in 1992, to raise awareness and creating inclusive society for all. The aim was to create an inclusive, accessible, and equitable society where no one is left behind.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Significance

The main role of this day in observance is to educate people. As more than 1 billion people in the world, which is around 20% of the world population live with some kind of disability. Thus, in such a scenario it is important for people to be sensitive towards their need. This day also helps address and solve the barriers faced by people living with disabilities, which include:

Limited access to education and employment

Inaccessible public spaces and transportation

Social stigma and discrimination

Insufficient healthcare and rehabilitation services

Lack of assistive technologies and accessible digital platforms

La Toya Jackson’s latest Instagram post has left fans more worried than ever. The 69 year old singer shared a series of photos earlier this week wearing a fitted red top, black pants and gold pointy heels. She added a chunky chain belt and a bracelet, posing in different angles for her followers. But what stood out most was how noticeably thin she looked, especially in the side profile shot.

Her caption was cheerful, wishing everyone a great week and sending love. The comment section quickly filled up, but instead of the usual compliments, many people expressed concern. Some fans urged others to be kind and pointed out that La Toya has always been naturally petite. Others felt something deeper might be going on. One comment read that it seemed like she may be dealing with “some health challenges”.

The post comes just weeks after La Toya shared a short, somewhat cryptic video from what looked like a doctor’s office. She did not explain why she was there but told her followers she hoped all her results would be good.

In another clip she hinted that doctor visits had become frequent, joking that she was “constantly getting check ups”. Despite the glimpses into her medical visits, she has not revealed what health issues she may be facing, leaving fans to worry and speculate.

While her situation remains private, her photos have opened up a larger conversation about what happens when someone becomes extremely thin. Many people assume being skinny is automatically healthy, but that is not always true. There is a point where being underweight can put real strain on the body.

What Really Happens When You Are Too Thin

Being underweight means your body does not have the amount of nutrition and energy stores it needs to function well. One common guideline used by experts is body mass index. For most adults, a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight. In children and teenagers, being below the 5th percentile for BMI indicates underweight.

Sometimes extreme thinness is easy to spot, but people who have always been slim may not notice when their weight drops into an unhealthy range. Children who are underweight may simply seem smaller or leaner than others their age, which can make early signs easy to miss.

When the body does not get enough nutrients or calories, it begins to show that stress in different ways. Some of the early signs include constant tiredness, weakness, dizziness or feeling lightheaded.

The heart can also slow down, leading to a low pulse and low blood pressure. Hair may become thinner or start falling out and the immune system becomes weaker, which means a person might catch infections more easily and take longer to recover.

Emotional and hormonal changes are also common. Irritability, low mood or a sense of apathy can appear. In women, periods may become irregular or stop completely. Severe underweight can affect fertility and make it harder to get pregnant.

These symptoms do not happen overnight. They develop gradually as the body runs lower on essential nutrients. This is why sudden or unexplained weight loss should always be taken seriously.