The best way for people with depression to stop taking antidepressants once their condition improves is to slowly taper off the medication while also receiving psychological support, new research suggested Thursday. More than five percent of the global population is estimated to suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization, and a range of drugs to treat the condition have been widely prescribed for decades. But how exactly to stop taking these drugs has proved a difficult problem. "As soon as an antidepressant is changed or reduced, it is a source of anxiety for the person," Christine Villelongue, co-head of the France Depression association, told AFP. However "there are no guidelines: very often, when medication is stopped, there is no follow-up," she added. In recent years a process called "deprescribing" which gradually reduces the dose has gained traction with psychiatrists concerned about overprescription, long-term side effects, withdrawal symptoms or the risk of a relapse. Now, a large-scale study has been published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal evaluating the available evidence across 76 different randomised controlled trials which included 17,000 people. It found that the most effective way for a patient to stop taking antidepressants was to gradually lower the dosage alongside seeing a psychologist. Compared to suddenly stopping or tapering off too quickly, this recommendation could prevent a relapse in one out of every five patients, the study said. The worst option, in all cases, was abruptly stopping. "Our findings suggest that while antidepressants are effective in preventing depressive relapses, they do not need to be a long-term treatment for everyone," study co-author Debora Zaccoletti from Italy's University of Verona said in a statement. However some specialists urged caution. "Even with very slow tapering, discontinuation of antidepressant therapy continues to be associated with risk of relapse," Jonathan Henssler of Charite Berlin university hospital said in a linked comment. The study therefore highlights the "benefit of psychotherapy," he added. French psychiatrist Maeva Musso emphasised that getting off antidepressants was too often overlooked. "Throughout my residency, which I only recently completed, this topic was never addressed," she told AFP. When patients "express a desire to reduce their medication, it is still often interpreted by the medical community as a denial of their disorder," Musso added. However Villelongue pointed out that the psychological support called for by the research is not a realistic option for everyone. The study's conclusions are based "on an ideal world, but the reality on the ground is quite different," she said. "Sometimes the psychiatrist is unavailable -- you go a month of two without seeing them," she said. "In the meantime, if the person is tapering off medication and is struggling, they have no one to talk to."

The number of people infected with HIV/AIDS is steadily rising in Bangladesh. Research suggests that 40% of those infected are homosexual men. World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 to increase awareness and prevention of AIDS. The Government of Bangladesh plans to eliminate HIV/AIDS from the country by 2030. Physicians echo this concern. Experts say, "Currently, about 40% of HIV-infected individuals in the country are homosexual. Another approximately 40% carry the disease back from abroad. The remaining small percentage are infected through blood transfusions or other similar means." Dhaka's Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) is the country's only specialized treatment center. This year, approximately 300 HIV patients received treatment here, with 12 currently admitted. Patients are not receiving necessary specialized care due to a shortage of kits and a lack of manpower. AIDS detection centers nationwide are also facing a shortage of testing kits. However, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) suggests this issue will be resolved this week. According to the AIDS/STD Control data: 2024: 1,438 people were infected, and 195 died. 2023: 1,276 people were infected, and 266 died. The number of infections this year is expected to exceed 1,500. While the number of patients is increasing beyond limits, the government simultaneously plans to eliminate AIDS from the country by 2030. [Note:] AIDS does not spread through sleeping in the same bed or eating from the same plate. HIV patients can lead a completely normal life with proper treatment.

Liberal US states led by California on Tuesday said parents should continue to get their children immunized, contradicting what they said was "dangerous misinformation on vaccines and autism" issued by the federal government. The West Coast Health Alliance said it was "deeply concerned" by the anti-science mood that has overtaken the Centers for Disease Control under the leadership of vaccine skeptic Health Secretary Robert Kennedy. "Rigorous research of millions of people in multiple countries over decades provides high-quality evidence that vaccines are not linked to autism," said a statement from the alliance, which groups California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. "Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multiple contributing genetic and environmental factors. Suggesting it stems from any single cause, such as vaccination, misleads families who deserve accurate guidance." The intervention comes after the CDC revised its website, using language that undermines its previous, scientifically grounded position. The new language accuses health authorities of having "ignored" research supporting a link and said the US health department "has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism." A purported connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism stems from a flawed study published in 1998, which was retracted for including falsified data. Its results have not been replicated and are refuted by voluminous subsequent research. Kennedy has a long history of promoting dubious claims, many of which have become articles of faith among adherents to his "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, a vital part of President Donald Trump's fractious Make America Great Again (MAGA) coalition. The website edits last week were met with anger and fear by career scientists and other public health figures who have spent years combatting such false information. The West Coast Health Alliance came together in September in an effort to counter what many Democrats see as a dangerous turn towards conspiracy theories in the highest reaches of US government. Organizers say it is intended to "safeguard scientific expertise" and ensure public policy is informed by trusted and qualified voices. "Through this partnership, the four states will coordinate health guidelines by aligning immunization recommendations informed by respected national medical organizations, allowing all people in the United States to receive consistent, science-based recommendations they can rely on - regardless of shifting federal actions," they said.

Plan International Bangladesh has revealed in a study that self-initiated child marriages are increasing, especially in urban and climate-vulnerable areas.  The organization is calling for Bangladesh to abandon old awareness models and adopt health-centered, system-driven solutions to curb the trend. The study presented at a dissemination event titled “Between Choice and Constraint: Examining Institutional Gaps and Emerging Trends Related to Child Marriage in Bangladesh,” has analyzed how child marriage is changing across the country, particularly in climate-vulnerable, border-adjacent, hard-to-reach and urban slum areas. The research identifies a significant and troubling pattern: a growing rate of adolescents choosing to marry early. This "self-initiated child marriage" is occurring despite a lack of adequate understanding among the youth regarding the severe physical and emotional consequences of the decision. The research also urges digital reforms in marriage registration, improved SRHR and education services and livelihood support in climate-affected areas to reduce the economic triggers of early marriage. The organization said in a press release issued on Tuesday, "The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Department of Youth Development, UNICEF, academia, civil society and youth organisations, creating a platform to deliberate on institutional accountability and collective action."  It further said, "Despite progress in education and legal frameworks, adolescent girls remain vulnerable to multiple and intersecting risks. In urban settlements such as Dholpur, Dhaka, 32% of girls’ marriages and 11% of boys’ marriages were found to be self-initiated, with the majority initiated by boys.  Nearly half of newly married girls become pregnant within a year, exposing them to higher obstetric complications and perinatal death rates. These vulnerabilities are compounded by weak marriage registration systems, falsified birth records, and climate-related livelihood insecurities that continue to push families into early marriage."  A representative from Plan International Bangladesh said, "While working on child protection, we have observed that girls are comparatively more deprived and often face violence. From that realisation, we decided to give special focus to girls. In the world of gender equality we envision, girls face discrimination from birth. If we can address that reality, we can move further towards achieving true gender equality." However, the organization further stated, "A high-level panel discussion deepened the dialogue on the intersection of law, enforcement, youth leadership, religion, and community engagement in addressing the issue."  In the event, Dr Taslima Yasmin, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Dhaka, questioned how the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 can be applied in cases where adolescents themselves choose marriage, noting that punishment should not violate children’s rights. Md Faruk Hossain, Joint Commissioner of Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, reflected on the role of law enforcement, stressing the need for greater responsiveness and community coordination to prevent child marriages at the local level. Read More One in Four People at Risk of Stroke: Expert Physicians Discuss Global Burden Youth representative Shirin Akhtar Asha from the Youth Environment Development Organisation highlighted how young people can act as change agents within their communities. Contributors from UNICEF and faith-based organisations underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, including with religious leaders, to transform community perceptions and end the misuse of faith to justify early marriage. However, the discussions reinforced key recommendations from the research - including strengthening Child Marriage Prevention Committees (CMPCs) at all administrative levels, reframing awareness messages to highlight the health rationale behind the legal age of 18, and promoting positive parenting to rebuild parent–child communication.  Meanwhile, Plan International Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to working alongside government bodies, development partners, and community actors to ensure every girl can learn, lead, decide, and thrive in a society free from child marriage and gender inequality.

Global statistics indicate that one in every four individuals worldwide is at risk of suffering a stroke. Globally, over 12 million people suffer a stroke for the first time each year, with 89% of all strokes occurring in developing nations like Bangladesh. Following a stroke, approximately 1.9 million brain cells (neurons) die every minute. Expert physicians emphasized the critical importance of time in treating stroke patients, stating that proper treatment within four and a half hours can lead to a patient’s full recovery. Furthermore, they highlighted that 90% of strokes are preventable through increased health awareness. These insights were shared by physicians at a discussion session held yesterday, Sunday, at the Conference Hall of the Director's Office at Dhaka Medical College (DMC) Hospital, organized to mark World Stroke Day. Key Findings and Treatment Window Dr. Shahedur Rahman Shikder, Assistant Professor of the Department of Endovascular and Stroke Surgery at DMC Hospital, presented the keynote paper on stroke-related data. He detailed the two main types of stroke: Ischemic Stroke: Accounts for 85% of cases, caused by a blocked blood vessel. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Accounts for 15% of cases. Dr. Shikder reiterated the severity of the condition: "Approximately 1.9 million brain cells (neurons) die every minute. Therefore, time is extremely crucial for stroke patients. If a patient is brought to a doctor within four and a half hours, full recovery is possible, and if brought within 24 hours, their life can be saved. These patients can be returned to a normal life through therapy." Prevention and Awareness Brigadier General Dr. Md. Asaduzzaman, Director of DMC Hospital, stressed the necessity of public awareness. "It has become essential to raise awareness among people so they can recognize whether they have had a stroke or not," he said. "Prevention is far more important in the case of stroke." The event was moderated by Dr. Sujan Sharif of the DMC Neurosurgery Department. Other speakers included Dr. Shafiqul Islam, Dr. Fazle Elahi Milad, Professor Dr. Moniruzzaman (Chairman of Physical Medicine), Dr. A F M Momtazul Haque, Dr. Ashiq Ehsan, Dr. Motasim Billah, Dr. Israt Jahan Rifat, and Dr. Moshiur Rahman Majumder, among others. A public awareness rally was held before the seminar. During the event, speakers proposed the initiation of a stroke treatment hotline and the introduction of a dedicated stroke ambulance service. They also called upon the government and relevant stakeholders to play an effective role in raising public awareness.