insert_link Health / Medical The royals have historically been tight-lipped about their health – but that never stopped the gossip By Lisa J. Hackett, University of New England; Huw Nolan, University of New England, and Jo Coghlan, University of New England King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. This is an unexpected announcement: it is unusual for the royal family to release details of medical conditions to the public. “Don’t let the daylight in” was how British essayist Walter Bagehot advised the British monarchy to deal […] today6 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical What happens if King Charles can no longer perform his duties? By Anne Twomey, University of Sydney King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis will turn minds to the question of what happens if he becomes unable to fulfil his constitutional duties. Buckingham Palace has announced he will continue performing his official paperwork and his weekly meetings with the prime minister throughout his treatment. But what happens if he becomes seriously ill? There are three options: counsellors of state, regency and […] today6 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Thirty years of rural health research: South Africa’s Agincourt studies offer unique insights By Stephen Tollman, University of the Witwatersrand and Kathleen Kahn, University of the Witwatersrand In 1992 a group of academics from the University of the Witwatersrand introduced a health and socio-demographic surveillance system in remote, rural South Africa to track and understand health and wellbeing in these environments. This initiative built on pioneering work by a Wits team to establish a health systems development unit in a […] today6 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical WHO meeting report released on mental health content that supports young people The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report following a virtual roundtable meeting held on 4 October 2023, focused on exploring guiding principles for developmentally-appropriate online mental health content for young people. Twenty-two global health experts with backgrounds in digital media, child and adolescent mental health and suicide prevention participated in the discussions. Participants were diverse in gender and geographic locations, joining online from 16 different countries. Prior to […] today6 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Cancer Association of Namibia Mourns the Passing of President Dr. Hage G. Geingob on World Cancer Day February 5, 2024/ Leonard Witbeen In a poignant and surreal moment on this World Cancer Day, the Cancer Association of Namibia is grappling with the heartbreaking news of the passing of Namibia's beloved President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob. In an official statement, Rolf Hansen, the CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, expressed profound sorrow over the loss. Hansen remarked, "It is a somber and beyond surreal World Cancer Day […] today5 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Namibia’s Battle Against Cancer: A Conversation with Rolf Hansen, CEO of the Cancer Association Rolf Hansen, CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, shed light on Namibia's evolving role in the global cancer landscape. Hansen addressed the changing dynamics of cancer, emphasizing the shift towards lifestyle-related factors as significant contributors. The interview delved into the impact of these changes on Namibia's cancer landscape, urging collective efforts to bridge the care gap for vulnerable community members. The Rise of Lifestyle-Related Cancers: Hansen began by highlighting […] today5 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services Ahead of World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), released the latest estimates of the global burden of cancer. WHO also published survey results from 115 countries, showing a majority of countries do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative care services, as part of universal health coverage (UHC). The IARC estimates, based on the best sources of data available in […] today2 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Surge in Syphilis Cases Leads Some Providers to Ration Penicillin Vials of injectable penicillin in cold storage at the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville, Tennessee. Injectable penicillin is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only treatment considered safe for pregnant people with the disease. In mid-2023, the health department began rationing the injectable to just pregnant women because of a nationwide antibiotic shortage. Patients who test positive for syphilis and are not pregnant are given an oral antibiotic […] today2 February, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical How dieting, weight suppression and even misuse of drugs like Ozempic can contribute to eating disorders Although semaglutide drugs like Ozempic are indicated to treat Type 2 diabetes, they are increasingly prescribed off-label because of their observed effectiveness at inducing weight loss. (Shutterstock) Samantha Withnell, Western University and Lindsay Bodell, Western University Up to 72 per cent of women and 61 per cent of men are dissatisfied with their weight or body image, according to a U.S. study. Globally, millions of people attempt to lose weight […] today2 February, 2024
