2024 Documentaries (Documents)

The Untold Story of Beyond the Charm: The Untold Story of Snake Bite Envenomation in India

Prabhakar, Tanvi

This untold story presentation explores the silent epidemic of snakebite envenomation in India, which accounts for 80% of global snakebite deaths, disproportionately affecting rural and agricultural communities. Despite advancements in antivenom research and the WHO's recognition of snakebite envenomation as a neglected tropical disease, challenges such as limited access to healthcare, antivenom ineffectiveness in regional contexts, and cultural reliance on spiritual healers persist. The narrative highlights India's National Action Plan for Snakebite Prevention and Control, emphasizing community empowerment, cultural sensitivity, and intersectoral collaboration as critical strategies to halve snakebite-related mortality by 2030. This story underscores the intersection of public health, culture, and resilience in addressing a preventable crisis. You can learn more about the Untold Stories project on the website: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/academics/departments/health-policy-management/news-events/untold-stories