The mortality rate in South Africa is decreasing. But more men than women continue to die due to natural causes, with Tuberculosis and pneumonia being the two leading causes of death. This is according to Statistics South Africa, which recently released its report on mortality and causes of death.
Thirty years into the HIV epidemic, women of the world are still at a higher risk of contracting HIV infection than men, although the latest figures by the United Nations show that overall infection levels have dropped significantly over the last 10 years.
Leukaemia, a blood cancer once considered deadly, can now be treated and managed well but, like any other cancer, it requires intensive treatment early enough, coupled with a good support structure. A survivor, Zuki Mokwebo, shares her story.
Amnesty International has accused governments failing to make a concerted effort to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of abusing the human rights of the poorest in society.
At a week-long international summit in Johannesburg recently, men and women were challenged to step up the fight on gender-based violence.
Health and human rights groups have warned that discrimination and homophobic legislation hampers the success of health initiatives.
Zuzimpilo, the low-cost HIV and AIDS treatment clinic in the heart of Johannesburg, has now added medical male circumcision to its services. This follows the Health Department'€™s approval of the procedure as part of the country'€™s HIV prevention arsenal.
Church leaders from eastern and southern Africa met in Johannesburg recently to discuss how the church can help mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS. The meeting suggested that the current strategy of HIV prevention is not sufficient to prevent new HIV infections.
HIV prevalence among university students in South Africa is lower than in the general population, according to a new study. But HIV infection among female students is more than double that of their male counterparts.
Cancer survivor Jenny Heunis recently met her idol and fellow cancer survivor Lance Armstrong when he visited Cape Town. Heunis shares her story of triumph and how being mentally and physically strong helped her to pull through challenging times.
The life of Pholokgolo Ramothwala, one of South Africa'€™s long-standing AIDS activists has taken a new turn. The openly HIV-positive Pholokgolo, who started publishing an online diary last year, has just started taking antiretrovirals following the deterioration of his health.
It's that time of the year again when all of us indulge in all sorts of feasts, with little regard to what we eat. But, as you prepare your festive meals, be sure that what you eat is healthy for your dear heart.
The impact of HIV in children does not only manifest through poor physical health. Often, children living with HIV have difficulties with their cognitive development.
Sibusiso is a 10-year old boy who doesn't know why he has to take medication for the rest of his life while his friends do not. His mother has told him that he is taking antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, but struggles to tell him why. She speaks to Health-e.
HIV-positive babies will have an improved chance of survival following the implementation of government'€™s revised anti-retroviral (ARV) policy. All children living with HIV under one year of age will receive treatment as soon as they are diagnosed.
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