All school and no rest can harm pupils’ mental health
Extended schooling could result in burnout and fatigue among pupils, which could lead to mental illness.
Determinants Of Health
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Poor communities feel the brunt of water crisis in South Africa
The crisis, fuelled by ageing infrastructure, population growth, and mismanagement, poses severe health risks, including waterborne diseases.
Reduced physical activity, limited access to affordable healthy food drivers of childhood diabetes in South Africa
High crime rates in cities often keep children indoors, leading to sedentary behaviours like playing video games and snacking on unhealthy, ultra-processed foods.
Statutory rape in South Africa: what it is and isn’t
Sexual acts involving children under 12 are automatically considered statutory rape, as children below this age cannot legally consent.
A year of heartbreak: Soweto families still seek Answers in Children’s Food Poisoning Deaths
In October 2023, four young children in Soweto fell ill after buying snacks from a local spaza shop, leading to the tragic deaths of Neo Kgang and Leon Jele. Despite a year passing, families have not received conclusive post-mortem results.
Parents left with questions after pesticide-linked deaths of children in Naledi
Six children in Naledi, Soweto, died after consuming snacks believed to be tainted with Terbufos, a toxic pesticide, leaving families devastated and with unanswered questions.
Early schooling protects children from violence, abuse and malnutrition
Starting school at an early age can play a crucial role in protecting children from a range of adversities including abuse, childhood illnesses, malnutrition, and neglect.
Costly Warmth: The Health Toll of Indoor Fireplaces and Braziers
Indoor fireplace use often exceeds WHO guidelines for air quality, leading to adverse health effects such as aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and potentially early deaths.
South African boys and young men most likely to stop taking their ARVs
Many people, especially men, move frequently for work. Seasonal and part-time workers often prioritise employment over health services and may not seek necessary transfer letters for continued treatment in new locations.
Water from tankers should be safe to drink: What to do if you’re still worried
Many people who cannot afford to buy drinking water rely solely on water provided by the trucks. But there have been concerns from residents on how safe it is to drink the water from these trucks.
Some Gauteng pupils left without meals because of delayed tender process
Pupils in Gauteng returned to school this week to find no lunch being served, as the National School Nutrition Programme tender bid is delayed due to a contested bid.
Initiation school deaths are a tragedy, but they can be prevented
The Eastern Cape consistently records high initiate deaths. Illegal schools run by unregistered practitioners contribute significantly to these deaths.
Tackling socio-economic issues is key to addressing health inequalities
For better health outcomes, policies must focus on reducing financial hardships, tackling discrimination and marginalisation, and strengthening primary healthcare.
Patients and staff left out in the cold as social development cuts funding to Westview rehab clinic in Florida
This is part of a broader issue affecting other rehab centres. The Gauteng Care Crisis Committee is in discussions with the department, but no resolution has been reached.
Residents in remote villages of Amathole district in EC share water with animals, carcasses
Amathole District Municipality, responsible for water provision, claims significant progress, but many areas, including Mnquma’s ward 28, still lack bulk water infrastructure. Interim measures include drilling boreholes and constructing storage tanks, with the project currently 40% complete.