Unhealthy lifestyles
Many South Africans are physically inactive, consume poor and unhealthy diets and are overweight and obese '€“ leading to all kinds of preventable conditions that kill them prematurely.
Health
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Cancer = Biggest killer
The global burden of cancer has more than doubled during the past 30 years and it is estimated that in 2008 there were over 12 million new cases of cancer diagnosed, 7 million deaths from cancer and 25 million persons alive with cancer.
Mental illnesses ignored
The primary health care system is failing South African communities in desperate need of mental health services for common conditions such as anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and school-related problems.
Pholo’s Story
If you hear the term '€œPerson Living with HIV'€œ -- do you call to mind images of someone who is sick, depressed and anxious? Well, then you will be delighted to meet Pholokgolo Ramothwala. Health-e will follow Pholo's story.
‘New morning’ for AIDS response
Outgoing UNAIDS director Dr Peter Piot praises new spirit of unity in South Africa's AIDS response, as health minister says ARV waiting lists must be shortened.
Taking on the Quacks
Welcome to CAPETOWN '€“ the seat of a government that for many years confused it'€™s people about the best ways for treating HIV. Vitamins, olive oil, lemon and beetroot, and a number of traditional therapies were promoted over scientifically proven life-prolonging anti-retroviral treatment.
Of treatments and cures
There is still no known cure for AIDS. Antiretroviral medication remains the only way to treat and manage the condition if one'€™s CD 4 cell count, which measures how strong a person'€™s immune system is, drops to below 200. But many continue to deceive those living with HIV, claiming that they can cure them of AIDS. In South Africa, some traditional healers claim that they can cure AIDS. But is there any substance in these claims?
Baby milk recalled after melamine scare
The KwaZulu-Natal health department has ordered the withdrawal of two Nestle formula feed products following concerns over melamine contamination. However, Nestle has said their products are absolutely safe for consumption.
“With this HIV test, I thee wed”
NIGERIA -(PlusNews) - Getting married in Nigeria often requires more than just the bride and groom turning up at the altar, and having witnesses and wedding rings present: many Christian churches also require an HIV test certificate.
Cautious response to radical WHO model for HIV elimination
HIV could theoretically be eliminated if all people were tested each year and given antiretrovirals straight away if they tested positive, regardless of whether they were sick, World Health Organisation researchers have proposed.
Challenges encountered Living with AIDS # 373
A condom shortage and a province running out of money for health services are two of challenges the new Health Minister has been dealing with lately to avoid a huge embarrassment before World AIDS Day on Monday.
Winning against HIV stigma behind bars
KENYA - (PlusNews) - HIV-positive prisoners in Kenya not only suffer isolation from friends and family, but also within the prison walls.
Surviving as an HIV-positive teacher
ZIMBABWE,(PlusNews)- Memory Motsi* rents a room in Chitungwiza, about 20km from the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. She wakes up at five in the morning to get to work on time at the school where she teaches Grade 5 in Hatfield, a suburb in the city, because the poor salaries in education sector, totally outpaced by hyperinflation, mean she can no longer afford the bus fare to and from work.
Widows risk HIV in purification rites
MOZAMBIQUE -(PlusNews) - When Mariana Uchandidhora's husband was killed in a traffic accident in South Africa a year ago, tradition required that she have sex with her deceased husband's brother in order to be purified.
Sex for jobs in export processing zones
NAIROBI-(PlusNews) - At the gates of one of Kenya's export processing zones (EPZs) men and women push and shove each other, trying to get their national identity cards taken by the guards.