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New Plasticizer Dinch Linked to Lower Birth Weights in U.S. Study

New Plasticizer Dinch Linked to Lower Birth Weights in U.S. Study

A new peer-reviewed study from New York University Langone Health has linked exposure to Dinch, a plasticizer widely used in food packaging and consumer goods, to lower birth weights and fetal development complications. Dinch was introduced by industry as a 'high safety' alternative to phthalate plasticizers, whose health risks became apparent over recent decades. The study, which analyzed federal U.S. health data from over 6,600 pregnancies, found that up to 70% of women had Dinch in their urine. Higher levels of Dinch exposure increased the risk of a child being classified as 'small for gestational age,' meaning below the 10th percentile for babies born at the same stage of pregnancy. Specifically, each tenfold increase in Dinch exposure was associated with a 27-gram reduction in newborn birth weight. The chemical, formally known as 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester, is used to make plastic more flexible and durable and is found in common kitchen products like cling film and plastic wine...

New Plasticizer Dinch Linked to Lower Birth Weight and Fetal Complications in U.S. Study

New Plasticizer Dinch Linked to Lower Birth Weight and Fetal Complications in U.S. Study

A new peer-reviewed study from New York University Langone Health has linked exposure to Dinch, a plasticizer widely used in food packaging and consumer goods, to lower birth weights and fetal development complications. Dinch was introduced by industry as a 'high safety,' non-toxic alternative after health risks associated with common phthalate plasticizers became apparent. The chemical, formally known as 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester, is used to make plastic more flexible and durable and is found in items like cling film, plastic wine corks, children's toys, and medical devices. Researchers analyzed data from over 6,600 pregnancies within the National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (Echo) Program. The study found that up to 70% of women had Dinch in their urine, and higher levels increased the risk of their child being classified as 'small for gestational age.' Each tenfold increase in Dinch exposure correlated with a 27-gram reduction in newbor...

Research Highlights Systemic Strategies for Building Resilience in Agri-Food Systems Against Global Shocks

Research Highlights Systemic Strategies for Building Resilience in Agri-Food Systems Against Global Shocks

An editorial analysis in 'Agriculture and Food Security' synthesizes research across agricultural systems, emphasizing how climate-resilient farming, structural policies, and targeted dietary interventions are crucial for building resilience against environmental and economic crises. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture faces persistent vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change, economic volatility, and geopolitical instability. The analysis, drawing on definitions from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, defines sustainable healthy diets as those providing sufficient safe, nutritious food while minimizing environmental footprints and protecting against malnutrition. The research organizes contemporary scientific insights into five thematic pillars: climate-resilient farming, sustainable production technologies, food environments shaping diets, governance policies, and supply chain waste reduction. It conc...

UN Working Group Continues Negotiations on Business and Human Rights Treaty Amidst Divisions

UN Working Group Continues Negotiations on Business and Human Rights Treaty Amidst Divisions

The UN Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group concluded its twelfth session in Geneva from October 12 to 16, 2026, continuing negotiations on a proposed legally binding instrument concerning transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. The discussions focused on provisions related to international cooperation, institutional arrangements, implementation, definitions, and the treaty's scope. The Chair-Rapporteur, Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez of Ecuador, introduced suggested reformulations for 22 selected provisions to facilitate negotiations. A significant point of contention remains the scope of the instrument, with some delegations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Egypt, advocating for a narrower focus on transnational corporations, while others support broader coverage of all business activities. Questions regarding legal liability and jurisdiction also remain central, with some states emphasizing consistency with international law and national judicial so...

WHO Recommends Two Malaria Vaccines for Young Children in Africa, Not for Travelers

WHO Recommends Two Malaria Vaccines for Young Children in Africa, Not for Travelers

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended two malaria vaccines since 2021 and 2023, specifically for young children residing in moderate-to-high malaria transmission areas of Africa. These vaccines are administered as part of national public health programs, with the first dose given around five months of age. The goal of these vaccines is to reduce severe malaria episodes in populations constantly exposed to the disease. However, these vaccines are not available or recommended for travelers, including those from the United States, as they were not tested for this purpose and provide partial protection that wanes over time, requiring booster doses suitable for continuous exposure. For travelers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health bodies continue to recommend prescription antimalarial tablets and strict mosquito-bite avoidance.

UN and Sri Lanka Advance Digital Civil Registration with OneRegistry Initiative

UN and Sri Lanka Advance Digital Civil Registration with OneRegistry Initiative

The United Nations, in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, is advancing the OneRegistry reform initiative, a program aimed at modernizing the country’s civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system. This initiative, which reached a significant milestone in 2026 with Cabinet approval, seeks to transform fragmented, paper-based processes for recording births, marriages, deaths, and legal identities into a modern, interconnected, digital system. The decision to approve OneRegistry followed an 18-month, government-led process involving numerous drafts and consultations. The program is a joint effort, financed by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator’s Office. This reform is also integrated into Sri Lanka's broader National Digital Economy Blueprint, recognizing interoperable civil registration as a key component of the country's Digital Public Infrast...

WHO Expresses Concern Over DRC Cholera Outbreak and Potential Spread to Kinshasa

WHO Expresses Concern Over DRC Cholera Outbreak and Potential Spread to Kinshasa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced significant concern regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) worst cholera outbreak in decades. So far this year, over 60,000 cases and 1,800 deaths have been reported. While most infections have been concentrated in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, cases have now emerged in the Congo River basin, increasing the risk of the epidemic reaching the capital city, Kinshasa. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the severity of the situation during a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva. The DRC is simultaneously battling a severe Ebola outbreak, which, along with limited access in remote, conflict-affected areas, complicates response efforts for both diseases. The ongoing rainy season is also a concern, as it could further fuel the spread of cholera, a highly virulent disease characterized by acute watery diarrhea that can lead to severe dehydration and death if untreated.

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory Launches Asia Pacific One Health Initiative to Enhance Pandemic Preparedness

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory Launches Asia Pacific One Health Initiative to Enhance Pandemic Preparedness

The Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) launched the Asia Pacific One Health Initiative (APOHI) on November 3, 2026, coinciding with World One Health Day. The initiative aims to integrate scientific expertise and surveillance data across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to improve predictive intelligence and facilitate earlier detection and response to emerging disease threats. The launch event, held at Temasek Shophouse, convened approximately 100 delegates from 12 Asia-Pacific countries, alongside representatives from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). APOHI is co-led by Professor Leo Yee Sin and Dr. Ian Cheong of TLL, and Dr. Lee Fook Kay of Temasek Trust, with support from Temasek Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and the Health for Human Potential Community by the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). The initiative's first regional pro...

WHO Releases Draft Food Profiling Model Including Ultra-Processed Food Definition; Public Comments Open

WHO Releases Draft Food Profiling Model Including Ultra-Processed Food Definition; Public Comments Open

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a draft of its Integrated Food Profiling Model for regulatory measures. This model consolidates various WHO recommendations, including nutrient profiles, sodium benchmarks, trans-fatty acid elimination guidance, and food-environment policies, into a practical framework for regulatory application. The primary goal is to identify industrially produced, pre-packaged foods that should be consumed in moderation within healthy dietary patterns. These identified foods may be subject to regulatory measures aimed at reducing their preference, demand, and consumption. The model operates on two dimensions: nutrient criteria for saturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, sugars, and sodium, and the presence of specified ingredients used primarily for sensory purposes, such as flavors, colors, and sweeteners. A product is flagged if it exceeds one or more nutrient criteria or contains one or more of these specified ingredients. The WHO clarifies that the inclusion of flav...

Vietnamese Authorities Prepare for Widespread Heavy Rainfall and Potential Natural Disasters

Vietnamese Authorities Prepare for Widespread Heavy Rainfall and Potential Natural Disasters

Central Vietnam, specifically the area from Thanh Hoa to Hue, Da Nang, and the eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, is bracing for widespread heavy rainfall between November 9 and 12. This weather event could lead to flooding, flash floods, and landslides. Coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Lam Dong are instructed to monitor wind forecasts and warnings at sea, and to guide ship owners and captains in taking preventive measures. In Northern Vietnam, authorities are implementing plans to address cold weather, protect public health, and safeguard livestock and agricultural production. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnamese authorities are assessing risks and developing appropriate measures, focusing on raising awareness and guiding citizens to proactively prepare for incidents without causing panic. This proactive approach emphasizes self-reliance for households during initial disruptions to essential services.

A once almost-forgotten disease is spiking in the US. See latest numbers

A once almost-forgotten disease is spiking in the US. See latest numbers

The United States has hit another grim milestone amid the resurgence of measles, a disease it had previously eliminated.

Kenya Calls for Stronger African Commitment to Malaria Elimination Amid Declining International Support

Kenya Calls for Stronger African Commitment to Malaria Elimination Amid Declining International Support

African nations are being urged to bolster domestic financing, expand local manufacturing of essential health products, and enhance regional cooperation to accelerate malaria elimination. This call comes amidst a reported decline in international support for these efforts. During the High-Level Dialogue on Malaria Elimination in Gaborone, Botswana, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, represented President William Ruto. Secretary Duale emphasized the need for African governments to translate political commitments into tangible actions through sustained investment in malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. He warned that a reduction in external financing poses a threat to the progress made across the continent and highlighted the importance of greater African ownership in malaria elimination initiatives. Kenya has reported significant progress, with a 34 percent reduction in confirmed malaria cases, dropping from 5.54 million in 2023 to 3.64 million in the year ending.