Un-Viral Factly

Diabetes is very common in India.  As a result, most patients and their loved ones now seem to think that they know everything about it. Such overfamiliarity leads to myths that are not backed by scientific evidence. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Prabhakaran Dorairaj as we tackle some of these myths, understand the practices a diabetic patient should actually follow, and share ideas for a multi-pronged strategy to deal with the diabetes epidemic in the country. Dr. Prabhakaran Dorairaj is the Vice President of Research and Policy, and Director at the Centre for Control of Chronic Conditions, Public Health Foundation of India.

Un-Viral is a podcast where we tackle that dangerous combination of the two kinds of virality—misinformation about health. Tune in to discern the real from the fake, and remember to Un-Viral.

Resources:
 International Diabetes Federation facts and figures Understanding Type 1, Type 2 & gestational diabetes Diabetes myths debunked here, here, and here Why are Indians more prone to diabetes? ICMR guidelines for the management of Type 2 diabetes in India | Dr. Mohan's diabetes diet  Indian Diabetes Prevention Program (IDPP)- Lifestyle modification and metformin to significantly reduce the incidence of Type 2 diabetes Beware of the quacks: A case study of 'Dr.' Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury; fact-check Can Type 2 diabetes be reversed?  Understanding genetics and diabetes Celebrities and diabetes: Managing lifestyles Diabetes resources: RSSDI, Indian Medical Association on preventing diabetic blindness, American Diabetes Association guidelines Smoking/Tobacco consumption and diabetes: A CDC overview Campaigns to prevent and manage diabetes in India: RSSDI campaign and Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program The Health Misinformation ReportResearcher - Nanditha Kalidoss
Writer, Host, Producer - Parvati Mohan
Editor, Designer - Jyothi Jeeru

The world knows that tobacco consumption is dangerous and health experts have been telling us that the habit needs to be kicked. So, in this episode, we look at the way forward on this problem that has its tentacles hooked deep in all parts of the country. Senior Public Health expert Dr Sonu Goel joins us on this episode.

Un-Viral is a podcast where we tackle that dangerous combination of the two kinds of virality—misinformation about health. Tune in to discern the real from the fake, and remember to Un-Viral.

Resources:
Understanding National Tobacco Control Programme NTCP and the COTPA ActReport on Tobacco Control Law in India – Origins and Proposed Reforms released by NLSIUInnovative approaches to implement MPOWER policies in low-resource settings: A significant reduction in tobacco use (21.2%–16.1%) since Global Adult Tobacco Survey-1 in Himachal Pradesh, IndiaNational guidelines for tobacco cessation Quit Tobacco: National Health Portal of India | Quitting Smoking & Tobacco Use: CDC GuideTobacco labelling regulations in IndiaDelhi Government Health Department issues show-cause notice to Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan over endorsing a Pan Masala brandTobacco causes 1 death every 8 seconds in India: ReportIndia loses 1% of its GDP to diseases and early deaths from tobacco use, finds WHO studyEconomic Burden of Tobacco-Related Diseases in India: ReportTobacco Institute of India: Factsheet   Impact of Tobacco Cultivation on Farmers Centre drafts law to increase the legal age of smoking to 21 years
Researcher - Nanditha Kalidoss
Writer, Host, Producer - Parvati Mohan
Editor, Designer - Jyothi Jeeru

Tobacco consumption in the twenty-first century is a puzzling thing. There is enough science to tell us it is a bad thing and yet, people continue to use it in large numbers. So, in this episode, we look at the myths around tobacco usage that make it so attractive, examine the law around it in India, and understand some of the effects it has on its users.
Un-Viral is a podcast where we tackle that dangerous combination of the two kinds of virality—misinformation about health. Tune in to discern the real from the fake, and remember to Un-Viral.

Resources:
Understanding the COTPA Act Systemic review report on tobacco products and health issues in India Common myths and misconceptions about tobacco: here, here, and hereMyths on safer alternatives: HookahUnderstanding herbal tobacco productsWhy E-cigarettes need to remain banned in IndiaWHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control | MPOWER measuresWHO report calls for addressing 'New and Emerging Products': FactlyImpact of tobacco products on the environmentICAR-CTRI ResourcesTobacco dependence treatment guidelines in India | Quit tobacco: cessation programme

Researcher - Nanditha Kalidoss
Writer, Host, Producer - Parvati Mohan
Editor, Designer - Jyothi Jeeru

Mental health is a complex topic where real issues are ignored but false assumptions and misinformation are paraded as the truth. In this episode, we look at some of these myths and their effects and get an expert view on the mental health situation in India and the way forward. Geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Debanjan Banerjee joins us on this episode.
Un-Viral is a podcast where we tackle that dangerous combination of the two kinds of virality—misinformation about health. Tune in to discern the real from the fake, and remember to Un-Viral.
Resources:
Mental health consequences of COVID-19 media coverage: the need for effective crisis communication practices A study of Patients attending Mehendipur Balaji Temple: Psychiatric and psychodynamic aspectsIndia has 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people: How telemedicine can bridge the gap between health experts and patients?Mental health implications of COVID-19 pandemic and its response in IndiaNational Mental Health Survey of India, 2015-16Indian mental health statistics on World Economic ForumWHO Resources on Mental Health, IndiaMyths and misconceptions on Mental Health: UNICEF, NCBIMental Health programs in schools: WHO FrameworkMental Health Resources/Tips: MoHFW, The Indian ExpressList of verified resources/mental health helplines: Vogue, Ticketfairy, Grazia
Researcher - Nanditha Kalidoss
Writer, Host, Producer - Parvati Mohan
Editor, Designer - Jyothi Jeeru and Suresh Dharavath

From the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, misinformation has been hand-in-hand with authentic information. In this episode, we do a deep dive into who the stakeholders in COVID-19 communication are, how they are connected to one another, and possible solutions to coming out of this infodemic. Joining us in this episode is Professor K. Vishwanath.
Un-Viral is a podcast where we tackle that dangerous combination of the two kinds of virality—misinformation about health. Tune in to discern the real from the fake, and remember to Un-Viral.
Resources:
About Professor K. VishwanathCOVID-19 MythbustersThe COVID-19 social media infodemicSocial media & COVID-19: A global study of digital crisis interaction among Gen Z and MillennialsNeed to monitor any vaccine-escaping COVID-19 variants, says ICMR study in Odisha on breakthrough infectionsImproving vaccination coverage in India: Lessons from Intensified Mission IndradhanushCOVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: 12 Things You Need to KnowFact -Checking and Information in the Age of Covid
Researcher - Nanditha Kalidoss
Writer, Host, Producer - Parvati Mohan
Editor, Designer - Jyothi Jeeru and Suresh Dharavath

Early diagnosis and a scientific treatment plan are the most important tools in the fight against cancer, followed by faith and a positive attitude. In part two of two on Un-Viral's cancer special, we listen to senior oncologists Dr. Geeta Kadayaprath and Dr. Vinay Deshmane take us through each of these aspects of cancer treatment and the way forward in cancer research.

Un-Viral is a podcast where we tackle that dangerous combination of the two kinds of virality—misinformation about health. Tune in to discern the real from the fake, and remember to Un-Viral.

Resources:
Breast Cancer Resources: Early Diagnosis, Self Breast ExaminationCancer Patient Aid Association, Online Support Group for Hindi-speaking Breast Cancer PatientsBreast Self Examination in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, MalayalamCervical Cancer Resources: Here and here Types of CancersPromoting Cancer Early DiagnosisImportance of Positive Attitude while Battling CancerCancer Support Groups: Here and hereDr. Geeta KadayaprathIndian Cancer Society
Researcher - Nanditha Kalidoss
Writer, Host, Producer - Parvati Mohan
Editor, Designer - Jyothi Jeeru and Suresh Dharavath