Inequalities affect health
Child mortality rates have slowly come down, although they are still significantly high. Health experts say this is attributed to huge inequalities that exist in accessing health care.
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On-screen smoking may prompt kids to smoke
Young people are more likely to start smoking if they watch a lot of movies with cigarette-smoking characters, new research published in the journal Pediatrics suggest.
New smoking law under attack
A 'vicious assault on people's lifestyle choices' by 'Nicotine nazi's' ' that is how Leon Louw, executive director for the Free Market Foundation (FMF) described the new anti-smoking laws that will place severe restrictions on the areas where smoking are allowed.
Origin cells of cervical cancer discovered
Researchers have found the cells at the origin of cervical cancer, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This discovery may offer new ways to prevent and treat the disease.
SA Govt should tackle Big Food companies
The South African government should develop a plan to make healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grain cereals more available, affordable, and acceptable, and non-essential, high-calorie, nutrient-poor products, including soft drinks and some packaged foods and snacks, less available, more costly, and less appealing to the South African population.
SA should prepare for cancer ‘explosion’: Motsoaledi
The health care system must gear itself for an "explosion" of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said during a recent visit to the iThemba Labs in Cape Town.
Gauteng counsellor strike continues over no pay Living with AIDS # 523
The strike by AIDS counsellors in Gauteng is continuing, despite the provincial heath department's promise to settle the pay dispute. The striking workers say they will return to work only when the Gauteng Health Department has deposited their money into their accounts.
Using mathematical models to understand the potential of early treatment to reduce HIV transmission
Is it possible to control the epidemic of HIV by using antiretroviral therapy? This pressing question is addressed in a collection of new articles published in the open-access journal PLoS Medicine.
Are sugary drinks to blame for obesity?
An advocacy group affiliated with the American Cancer Society asked the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services last week to direct the surgeon general to fully investigate the relationship between human health and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, or SSBs. By Jennifer LaRue Huget for the Washington Post
AIDS response must be guided by human rights and justice
In South Africa and across Africa, HIV continues to prey on women, sex workers and men who have sex with men. It is clear that to end the HIV epidemic, we must protect and support these groups.By Festus Mogae and Stephen Lewis
GSK to plead guilt and pay $3-bn fine
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline LLC (GSK) agreed to plead guilty and to pay $3 billion to resolve its criminal and civil liability arising from the company's unlawful promotion of certain prescription drugs, its failure to report certain safety data, and its civil liability for alleged false price reporting practices, the US Justice Department announced. Read the full US Justice Department statement here
Some of the screening tests men should have
Most medical problems can be controlled through early detection and treatment. Looking after your health means going for regular screening tests, even when you feel fine.
Getting circumcision science right in the media
The evidence that voluntary medical male circumcision reduces the risk of a heterosexual man contracting HIV in high prevalence areas is beyond reasonable doubt.
Erection may be heart attack warning
Scientists have pinpointed an invaluable indicator of men's health: the penis.
Ten Years Since the TAC case: A judgment that saved a million lives
OPINION: 'The magnitude of the HIV/AIDS challenge facing the country calls for a concerted, co-ordinated and co-operative national effort in which government in each of its three spheres and the panoply of resources and skills of civil society are marshalled, inspired and led. This can only be achieved if there is proper communication, especially by government.' By Brian Honermann and Mark Heywood