SA’s tobacco legislation makes a difference
Although new research illustrates alarming trends in tobacco use in many parts of the world local experts believe that South Africa's tobacco legislation has been effective.
Health
Read More » SA’s tobacco legislation makes a difference
What Australia’s win against Big Tobacco means for global health
The ruling this week by Australia's high court to uphold its government's right to introduce 'plain packaging' for tobacco products is a landmark event for global health. With the world's eyes watching this decision, the court struck down a challenge from the biggest cigarette manufacturers around the globe.By John R. Seffrin.
What kills mothers & babies Living with AIDS # 528
In South Africa about 4 300 women die due to complications related to pregnancy and child birth. About 20 000 infants are still-born and a further 23 000 die in the first month of life. In addition 75 000 children never live to reach the age of five. What are the causes for this?
Big Tobacco loses plain packaging battle in Australia
In a landmark ruling, which could potentially strengthen the move to similar legislation in South Africa, the Australian high court dismissed the tobacco industry's challenge to the 'plain packaging law'.
Rheumatic heart disease: the ‘forgotten’ killer
A heart condition, which can be treated with a simple antibiotic, remains the leading cause of cardiac disease in children on the African continent.
Activists and docs want one pill for HIV
The Treatment Action Campaign and Médecins Sans Frontières are calling on government to included fixed dose combination drugs in the new antiretroviral tender. This demand is not new, but for a long time the Medicines Control Council failed to register these drugs making them unavailable for inclusion in the tender. Several FDCs have now been registered. Read the TAC/MSF statement here.
Plain packaging may deter teens from smoking
New research, published in the scientific journal Addiction, shows that plain cigarette packaging (standard packages without attractive designs and imagery) may help to draw the attention of some adolescent smokers to the health warnings on the package. If so, this may in turn deter young smokers from continuing to smoke.
Daily aspirin cuts cancer deaths
People who take aspirin daily may not only be helping their hearts, but also reducing their odds of dying from cancer, according to American Cancer Society researchers.
Lack of pay frustrates Gauteng counsellors Living with AIDS # 527
Repeated promises by the Gauteng Health Department to pay lay counsellors and home-based care givers who have gone without their monthly stipends of R1 500 for four months have still not materialised. The 6000-plus volunteers have voiced their frustration over the non-payment.
Price for rapid TB test slashed
The price of a rapid diagnostic test, which slashes the time to reach a diagnosis for the most common drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis, has almost been halved - including in South Africa.
Obesity in African women increase risk of newborn death
Babies born to mothers in sub-Saharan who are overweight or obese are significantly more likely to die in the first two days after their birth, according to new research.
Challenge to cigarette advertising ban fails
The Constitutional Court has denied British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) permission to appeal a court ban on advertising among and recruiting young people to the deadly habit.
Report reveals ‘horror’ of tobacco farming
Tobacco farming is harmful to the environment and to the farm workers with multinational tobacco companies contributing to the problem by exploiting local farmers, new research has revealed.
Chemo can also cause more cancer
Chemotherapy, used to treat cancer, can damage healthy cells causing them to secrete a protein that sustains tumour growth and resistance to further treatment, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Depression could shorten cancer survival
Cancer patients with symptoms of depression have shorter survival times than those showing no sign of depression, according to a new study published in the journal PLoS ONE.