Covid’s true toll, cervical cancer kit, MODY discovery & more | Health Wrap by The Hindu | Ep 01

This week on Health Wrap by The Hindu, we explore how new data and emerging technologies are reshaping public health in India and beyond. The latest maternal mortality figures from the Registrar General show a steady national decline, yet states such as Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Uttar Pradesh continue to report alarmingly high numbers, highlighting the urgent need for equitable access to maternal healthcare. Meanwhile, India’s COVID-19 death toll is under renewed scrutiny, as Civil Registration System data reveals 15.5 lakh excess deaths in 2020–21—figures that contrast sharply with earlier international estimates. In a breakthrough for women’s health, the US FDA has approved an at-home HPV screening kit, reflecting a shift towards decentralised diagnostics that could hold relevance for India. Scientists in Chennai, in collaboration with researchers in the US, have identified a new subtype of MODY, a rare genetic form of diabetes, reinforcing the call for wider genetic screening. A migraine drug is also showing promising results in reducing depressive symptoms, offering new hope in the overlap between neurological and mental health. As we approach World Hypertension Day, new data from the ICMR shows nearly one in three Indian adults suffers from high blood pressure—yet more than half are unaware of their condition. These developments underscore the importance of accessible data, inclusive care, and innovation-led health systems that leave no one behind.Updated - September 15, 2026 06:05 pm IST