On Monday night, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Japan, leading to a tsunami warning. Fortunately, authorities reported minimal damage, and the warning was soon lifted. According to local media, there was only one minor injury involving a man who fell at his own home.

Japan, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences approximately 1,500 tremors annually. However, these quakes have a long-lasting impact on one's health—both physical and mental.

Health Impacts Of Earthquakes

1. Wound Infections

Earthquake-related injuries range from cuts and bruises to fractures and crush injuries. If not attended to on time, these wounds can lead to infections like sepsis, tetanus, or even amputations if untreated. Regions with scarce medical resources face higher risks of untreated injuries and antimicrobial resistance. Ensuring prompt medical care and deploying teams to assess building safety is critical to preventing further injuries and fatalities.

A recent study examined infections in 225 earthquake survivors with musculoskeletal injuries treated between February and April 2023. It found that gram-negative bacteria were common in the wounds of the victims. Acinetobacter baumannii (49.4%) and enterococci (28.6%) were the most prevalent. Many pathogens were multidrug-resistant, with 76% from wound cultures and 58% from deep tissue cultures showing resistance. Common infections included surgical site infections (32.8%), urinary tract infections (5.3%), bloodstream infections (5.7%), and pneumonia (0.4%). Intensive care was required for 35.6% of patients, with a mortality rate of 2.7%.

2. Infectious Diseases

Earthquakes disrupt water supplies, leading to unsanitary conditions that spread waterborne diseases such as cholera. Meanwhile, it also pushes people to take shelters in dingy places, which can outbreaks of measles, respiratory illnesses, and parasitic infections like leishmaniasis. Cold conditions and stress suppress immunity, increasing the risk of disease spread.

3. Chronic Conditions

Access to medication and medical care is often disrupted by earthquakes. Studies show increased rates of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes following earthquakes due to stress and disrupted routines. Destruction of health records and facilities exacerbates these issues, especially in disaster-prone regions.

4. Healthcare Disruption

Damaged medical facilities and transport links hinder healthcare delivery. Pregnant women and individuals with chronic diseases face heightened risks. Refugees and displaced populations encounter accessibility barriers to healthcare services.

5. Psychological Trauma

Survivors of these earthquakes often suffer from anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Tailored mental health programs are crucial for recovery, especially for those already living in conflict zones or displacement.

On April 14 2010, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Qinghai Province, China, devastating Yushu County. A psychological relief study, published in the Journal Of Affective Disorders in 2011, assessed the mental health of 505 survivors three to four months post-disaster. Using tools like the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), the study found prevalence rates of 33.7% for probable PTSD, 43.8% for anxiety, and 38.6% for depression, with one-fifth of participants experiencing all three. Key risk factors included being female, experiencing intense fear during the quake, and having limited social support, as measured by the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS).

The 28 to 35-year-old age group in urban India now experiences lifestyle diseases because people now live their lives incorrectly instead of aging at a higher rate. Diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, and PCOD have become routine in those under 40, developing these conditions without showing any symptoms.

Hidden Metabolic Risks

A normal BMI no longer guarantees good health. The visceral fat around organs leads to both inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, resulting in insulin resistance, while people who sleep less than six hours experience further metabolic disruptions. Skipping regular check-ups leads to delayed detection of health problems.

Women’s Health And Preventive Screening

PCOS is a silent condition affecting almost 20 percent of urban Indian females. Regular consultations, including HPV vaccination, Pap smear, and hormonal evaluation, are essential.

After 25, routine tests that include fasting sugar, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver enzymes, thyroid function, Vitamin D, and B12 help detect risk early. A whole abdomen ultrasound helps detect fatty liver and silent organ damage early.

The process of detecting medical conditions at an early stage enables doctors to reverse the health issue, but patients who receive it late need permanent treatment.

Clean Eating: Trend vs Truth

The "clean eating" trend needs proper representation because it exists through incorrect information. In reality, traditional Indian dishes, such as dal, chawal, and sabzi, provide complete nutritional value. Quinoa and kale do not show any advantages over each other.

The "healthy" packaged snacks, such as multigrain biscuits and protein bars, exist mainly as marketing tools. People accept ultra-processed foods because cloud kitchens and delivery services make these foods available for consumption at home. Hidden ingredients like maida, refined oils, and excess sugar are present in everyday foods such as bread, biscuits, mithai, and even packaged atta.

The Way Forward

There is no superfood or perfect diet. Supplements cannot replace nutrition. Whole foods, home-cooked meals, timely screening, and consistent habits remain the foundation of good health. Turning 30 does not have to feel like 50, but it requires awareness and intentional choices starting now.

World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 to mark the founding day of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 for public health worldwide.

The Day raises awareness about global health issues and highlights the importance of preventive care, healthy lifestyles, and equal access to healthcare for all.

On World Health Day 2026, the WHO urged people to renew their commitment to working together and supporting science as the twin engines driving better health.

“Science is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for protecting and improving health,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

“People in every country live longer and healthier lives on average today than their ancestors did, thanks to the power of science. Vaccines, penicillin, germ theory, MRI machines, and the mapping of the human genome are just some of the achievements that science has delivered that have saved lives and transformed health for billions of people.”

World Health Day 2026: History

World Health Day commemorates the formal establishment of the WHO in 1948. The creation of an independent, international health body was proposed by Brazil and China in 1945.

The WHO Constitution, signed in 1946 by 61 nations, officially came into force on April 7, 1948. In the last 78 years of its existence, the WHO has directed and coordinated the world’s response to health emergencies such as :

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• Ebola outbreak
• COVID-19 pandemic
• mPox

In addition, it has also led global efforts against communicable diseases (like malaria, HIV, polio) and works on non-communicable diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes).

The WHO works towards universal health coverage, with a

• focus on primary health care
• improving access to essential medicines and health products
• training the health workforce and advising on labour policies
• improving monitoring, data, and information.

World Health Day 2026: Theme

World Health Day 2026 will be observed under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

The theme highlights the role of the WHO in promoting public health, which has led to improvements in the global maternal mortality rate, falling by more than 40 percent since 2000, and a reduction of over 50 percent in deaths among children under five.

The global health body lauded the advances in technology and scientific knowledge and skills, due to which the once-life-threatening health challenges – such as elevated blood pressure, cancer diagnoses, or HIV infection – have turned into manageable health issues.

The WHO stated that science was behind every health progress, which led to improvements in global health and lives. This includes the development of

• anesthesia
• safer medicines and affordable vaccination
• screening technologies, such as electronic blood pressure monitors and mammography tools.

WHO and its partners generate and translate evidence across a wide range of health priorities, from infectious diseases and chronic conditions to mental health, nutrition , and environmental risks, supporting countries to deliver effective, equitable care.

Rebecca King Crews, wife of actor Terry Crews, has opened up about her diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, which was previously dismissed as mere anxiety.

Speaking on the TODAY show, she also revealed a newly-approved procedure that has helped manage her symptoms. After three years, she’s able to write.

"I feel good," King Crews said during the segment. "I’m able to write my name and my dates, and I’m able to write with my right hand for the first time in probably three years."

Parkinson's Dismissed As Anxiety

The symptoms came suddenly and progressed quickly. Rebecca revealed that her first set of symptoms appeared around 2012, which began with numbness in her left foot while working out. It then progressed to a limp.

Then her left arm wasn't swinging as much as her right during certain exercises. Another was experiencing tremors while applying lip gloss, putting on makeup, or brushing her teeth. However, her doctor just thought she was having anxiety, the Today report said.

After three years of confusing symptoms, a Parkinson's specialist in 2015 recognized that she had the condition.

US FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson’s

Also read: Japan Approves First-Ever Stem Cell Therapies For Parkinson’s And Heart Failure

In the hope of a miracle, Rebecca was praying on her knees beside her bed when her husband, Terry Crews, informed her of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) non-invasive surgical procedure for her symptoms.

Last month, she underwent the new procedure called a bilateral focused ultrasound. The 2025 approved procedure uses sound waves directed into the brain to eradicate the debilitating symptoms.

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, primarily affecting people over 60. Apart from motor loss, the disease also causes cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and swallowing problems.

The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand or sometimes a foot or the jaw. Over time, swinging your arms may become difficult, and your speech may become soft or slurred. The disorder also causes stiffness, slowing of movement, and trouble with balance that raises the risk of falls.

Also read: Is Parkinson's Disease Infectious?

What Is A Focused Ultrasound For Parkinson's?

Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with symptoms secondary to Parkinson’s disease.

This novel technology focuses on beams of ultrasonic energy to targets deep in the brain without damaging surrounding normal tissue.

During the procedure, doctors use a device called Exablate Neuro, developed by a company called Insightec, to deliver ultrasound waves to specific areas on both sides of the brain.

They're guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to target the areas thought to be involved in the movement symptoms in Parkinson's.

The procedure typically produces immediate results and can be a good option for people who can't or don't want to pursue deep-brain stimulation, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.