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.

Desk jobs cause just as much damage as smoking. Several studies have stated that sitting for prolonged hours does the same amount of damage as smoking, and for that reason, experts have recommended exercise. Doctors and scientists have long said that working out is a good way to combat the damage caused by prolonged sitting hours—but a new study begs to differ. It turns out that the damage caused by sitting too much can contribute to the risk of heart disease, early death, and even type 2 diabetes. However, working out and eating right may not be sufficient to make up for this loss.

What are the physical effects of long sitting hours?

Physical inactivity refers to not engaging in vigorous or moderate workouts. Public health guidelines suggest 150 minutes of moderate-intensity workouts like cycling or brisk walking and 75 minutes of vigorous workouts like running. Sedentary behaviour, on the other hand, refers to reclining with low energy expenditure or long durations of sitting in front of a desk or television or during a long commute.

Experts say that a person can, therefore, be physically active yet live a sedentary lifestyle. Some can also go for a run before work and yet remain seated for about the next eight hours. This workout helps, but it does not combat the ill effects of sitting for long hours. When the body stays still for longer periods, a series of changes occur — skeletal muscle activity levels drop, making it difficult for the body to absorb glucose from the blood. This can result in insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes.

What happens when you sit for long hours?

Blood circulation also becomes inefficient, and nutrients and oxygen take much longer to reach the tissues, thereby impairing vascular function and raising blood pressure. Together, these circulatory changes can lead to high cholesterol, belly fat accumulation, and high blood sugar. Prolonged sitting also impacts the musculoskeletal system. Limited movement and poor posture have an adverse impact on the lower back, neck, and shoulders, explaining why pains and aches are common among corporate workers.

How do long sitting hours affect mental health?

The effects of long sitting hours can impact your brain as well, reducing energy levels, alertness, and concentration. Employees who sit for extended durations are less productive and feel more sluggish at work. Globally, this leads to four to five million deaths every year, hence explaining why regular workouts are encouraged.

Can regular exercise combat the ill effects of long sitting hours?

It turns out that taking a gym membership and going for regular workouts may not be sufficient to combat the ill effects of long sitting hours. On the other hand, small and regular interruptions can make a difference. Research suggests that moving or standing up for even two to five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes can improve glucose metabolism and reduce heart-related risks too.

According to a study of offices in the UK, these measures can reduce daily sitting time by one to one and a half hours. Employees involved reported better musculoskeletal comfort, energy, and focus. This makes the message evident—regular workouts are essential, but they may not fully combat the risks associated with long sitting hours. A quick walk after lunch, attending to phone calls while taking a short walk, or even taking small breaks every now and then—these small efforts will help you protect your health better than most other remedies. For a modern corporate employee, protecting health need not be about exercising after work but about sitting less and moving more even while work is ongoing.

If you thought that the worst in terms of the heatwave was coming to an end, you were wrong. While heatwaves are an unfortunate common occurrence in India, this year is different. Earlier, in 2025, the summer brought India to its knees, with temperatures soaring as high as 50 degrees Celsius in parts of the country. And this year, temperatures have already crossed the 47 degrees Celsius mark—and reports suggest that the worst is yet to come. This year, experts are expecting the possibility of a “Super El Niño." Ever heard about it? Let’s find out what it means.

What is Super El Niño?

Super El Niño is a climate phenomenon occurring once every two to seven years. It occurs when ocean surface temperatures rise in the eastern and central Pacific. As a result, a strong event occurs, known as “Super El Niño”, which can intensify global heat.

Has India entered the El Niño phase?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued advisories for people living in heatwave-struck parts of the country. Recently, a report from AQI.in found that, out of the 100 hottest cities in the world, India is home to 95. This, in a way, makes India the hottest country in the world. Several heatstroke-related deaths have been reported in the country in the month of April itself —andthe heatwave is likely to worsen in May and June. Cities in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are at the top of the list, as the top 10 hottest ones are in these states. Temperatures have consistently been over 40 degrees in these cities. Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala are also in the grip of this severe heatwave.

While it cannot be conclusively said that India is in its El Niño phase, the current scenario mimics the effects already. The IMD is therefore urging people, through its advisories, to stay safe and hydrated. Extended hot days can lead to various impacts, including an increased risk of health issues like heatstroke, higher electricity consumption, and water shortages,” the advisory suggests. Experts say that India is particularly vulnerable to this heat stress due to its monsoon and high pre-monsoon temperatures. However, human-related factors worsen this situation, such as urban development and diminishing green cover.

Some experts, however, are saying that the ongoing heatwave is not an El Niño; rather, it is an anti-cyclonic pressure over northern and central India, which is working like a heat dome. However, the possibility of a stronger El Niño cannot be completely ruled out. Previously, it occurred in 1997–1998 and 2015–2016, resulting in drought-like conditions.

Can the heatwave trigger heart attacks?

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Joy Shome, Head of TAVI/TAVR at CK Birla Hospitals, BM Birla Heart Hospitals, said, "An alarming rise in the number of young adults who experience cardiac events has been observed due to heatwaves that are becoming more common and more extreme (as outlined in the Beat by Beat report). The cardiovascular system is put under enormous strain by excessive amounts of heat. To help cool down the body, our blood vessels expand (dilate), and the heart must pump more blood through them; however, dehydration results in thicker blood, increasing your chance of developing a blood clot (a leading cause of heart attacks)."

Dr Shome also said that heart disease is no longer only affecting the elderly; a substantial number of cardiac deaths occur prematurely and affect younger populations. Lifestyle, stress, and metabolic issues are all contributors to this trend. India has contributed nearly one in five cardiac deaths worldwide, and cardiovascular disease accounts for around 25% of all deaths in India—illustrating how large this crisis is. The ‘thin fat’ phenomenon is another factor; many Indian people may look thin but have significant amounts of visceral fat — meaning many young adults could be at risk of suffering a heart attack.

Is the heatwave making people in India fall sick?

States and Union Territories have been instructed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to create heatwave management units, issue early warnings, and maintain real-time reporting of heatstroke cases. These measures, however, may not be enough, especially for vulnerable groups of people. Severe heatwaves can lead to death, yes; however, there is a risk of heat stress, heatstroke, and even dehydration.

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, spoke about the possible effects of a Super El Niño on health. The expert spoke about whether or not it is this heatwave that is making people in India fall sick.

A potential Super El Niño is known to intensify heatstroke and can place a significant stress on the heart. So, the impact can be directly seen on the cardiovascular system during the scorching heat. Not only this, many people may also experience dehydration and heatstroke or even respiratory illnesses and vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. So, everyone needs to be cautious and prioritise heart health. When temperatures rise, the body tries to cool itself by increasing blood flow to the skin, which tends to stress the heart.

Dr Agarwal went on to say that constant sweating during summer leads to fluid and electrolyte loss, making the blood thicker, and there can be chances of clotting. This can raise the chances of heart attacks or strokes, mainly in those with a history of pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. They may experience concerning symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or palpitations, which are neglected by many people.

So, when there is scorching heat outside, it is necessary for everyone to stay hydrated by drinking 2-3 litres of water, maintain electrolyte balance, avoid peak heat hours that are from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and take medication prescribed by the doctor. Everyone should be aware when it comes to heart health and overall well-being. Hence, it is time to follow these vital types and protect the heart during intense heat.

The infant formula available on the US market is safe, according to results from the largest and most rigorous study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released today.

Breast milk is widely known as the gold standard and optimal source of nutrition for infants whenever possible. However, as per the CDC, roughly 75 per cent of US infants are dependent on formula for the first six months, and for nearly 40 per cent, it is the exclusive source of nutrition.

The FDA noted that across 300 samples tested, an overwhelming majority had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, affirming that the US infant formula supply is safe. But the federal agency plans to follow up with additional testing.

“We tested more infant formula than ever before, and the results are clear: most products meet a high safety standard—but even small exposures matter for newborns,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a statement.

“We will hold manufacturers accountable and give parents honest, transparent data they can trust. Protecting our children’s health is nonnegotiable," he added.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study included more than 300 infant formula samples representative of products sold at retail across the US and included powders, ready-to-feed liquids, and concentrated liquids.

The samples were rigorously tested and analyzed in FDA laboratories. The results show that the overall levels of contaminants in the infant formula samples tested were low.

However, the FDA noted that it is following up with additional testing as part of the agency’s ongoing robust monitoring and oversight efforts and will take additional action where appropriate.

This includes conducting further testing, including for additional contaminants, continuing to engage with manufacturers on measures to reduce the levels of contaminants to as low as possible, and working to establish action levels for contaminants in infant formula.

Also read: Young Kids More Vulnerable To Heat Stress; AIIMS Experts Caution Against Sugary Drinks And Chips

“You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable members. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to make sure our babies and infants have safe, high-quality formula options that are backed by a resilient supply chain,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

“The results of this study are encouraging. We will continue to advance formula innovation and safety for the millions of families who depend on it.”

Why Was The Baby Formula Tested?

Formula is made to imitate human breast milk and usually comes from cow milk or soy. According to the present FDA guidelines, every infant formula product is required to have 30 nutrients essential for infants in specific proportions.

Yet, the technology of infants' digestion and nutrition requirements has progressed immensely, leading experts to wonder if the standards are yet sufficient.

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In 2025, the FDA in 2025 began conducting a comprehensive review of infant formula ingredients in the face of increasing parental distrust and industry trends, which indicate that existing rules might not be completely in accordance with recent worldwide research on infant feeding.

Some of the main issues that were considered during the testing include the possibility of iron content, added sugars, and seed oils.