Tackling climate change can improve public health in Africa – new report highlights how
Air pollution particularly affects children. About 56% of global air pollution-linked infant deaths occur in Africa.
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Read More » Tackling climate change can improve public health in Africa – new report highlights how
NHI is closer to being law, there are many concerns not addressed
South Africa is marching closer to implementing universal health coverage in the form of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Scheme. This is after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) voted this week in favour of the implementation of the bill. The Western Cape is…
Constant exposure to violence weighs heavily on South Africans’ mental health
” My father was only 35 years old when we lost him. He and his brother were shot in a robbery,” recalls Chantel Grodes. She grew up in Hanover Park on the Cape Flats. “When we got to the scene…
Heat stressed Mangaung residents without water for over a week
The South African Weather Service has advised people to drink a lot of water during the heatwave that’s hit the country. But this is a big ask of people in Mangaung in Bloemfontein who have been without water for over…
Giving South Africa’s disabled children the care they need
by Chantelle Kriel, CEO of Casa Caritas. Most children with disabilities require care beyond what parents or primary caregivers can provide. In South Africa, many parents with disabled children struggle to earn a basic living, let alone afford the optimal…
South Africa has great HIV laws, but they’re not being fully enforced
Policy is central to the global efforts to end AIDS. Progressive policies that enshrine civil liberties can help people take steps to protect themselves from acquiring HIV, and prevent its onward transmission. In the same breath, policies that criminalise people…
South Africa edging closer to HIV goals, but women still bear the brunt
The sixth South African national HIV prevalence, incidence, and behaviour survey shows the significant progress the country has made in the HIV response. Released this week, the survey shows that 90% of those above the age of 15-years who are…
How we talk to young boys is key to curbing the gender-based violence scourge in South Africa
by Dr Ntombifikile Mtshali, CEO of Shout-It-Now, a South African NPC that delivers youth-friendly, community-based HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and related services in the Gauteng and North West provinces. Young children learn by imitating the behaviours of those around…
Higher chicken and egg prices spell trouble for low-income families
South Africans are facing tough economic times this holiday season. Poultry producers have warned of an increase in the price of chicken and eggs. This carries major concerns about the nutritional needs of poor and working class families who rely…
Health risks at home: a study in six African countries shows how healthy housing saves children’s lives
Hellen Gitau, African Population and Health Research Center; Blessing Mberu, African Population and Health Research Center; Kanyiva Muindi, African Population and Health Research Center, and Samuel Iddi, African Population and Health Research Center Housing is a critical social determinant of…
Mental health is key to maternal health
One in 3 South African women experience depression and/or anxiety during and after pregnancy. Empathy and positive mental health screening at clinics are essential parts of maternity care. This film by the Perinatal Mental Health Project at the University of…
Patients are being turned away from GP public health facilities, report shows
Patients using public healthcare facilities in Gauteng report being refused access to healthcare services, shortage of healthcare workers, hostile services and punitive action for people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) who miss appointments to collect treatment. These are some of the…
No end in sight for construction at FS ‘ideal hospital’ in Kroonstad
Poor maintenance and water shortages are causing further delays in finishing the construction of the theatre unit at the Boitumelo Hospital in the Free State according to Montseng Tsiu, chairperson of the provincial legislature committee on education, health and social…
Hot weather can cause health problems, people working in the sun are most at risk
It is almost eight o’clock on a warm but chilly November Friday morning, Joyce Mathe from Thembisa in Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg is hard at work collecting waste outside of people’s yards for her recycling business. The cool weather is…
Way too many young people’s lives are cut short on our roads
by Dr Lee Randall an independent road safety researcher and co-founder of the Road Ethics Project Globally, young people aged 5-29 – especially males – are the most likely to die in road crashes. This is very concerning in Africa…