insert_link Interview Transcripts Interview: High Sugar Consumption in Baby Foods Sparks Health Alarm Photo: NAFSAN Windhoek, Namibia — The Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) has raised urgent concerns about the rising consumption of sugar, particularly among young children, in an interview with director Ben Schernick. The issue, he says, goes beyond individual dietary preferences and has deep public health and economic implications. “One of our biggest concerns is the high level of sugar consumption, especially among children between the ages […] today15 December, 2025
insert_link Health / Medical Schernick Calls for Action on Sugar Consumption Ben Schernick, director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia warns that the government’s 2010 VAT exemption on white and brown sugar is effectively encouraging harmful sugar consumption. He emphasizes the need for legislation, company monitoring, and public awareness campaigns to address rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other sugar-related health problems. today15 December, 2025
insert_link South Africa South African Human Rights Commission calls for immediate ban on harmful pesticides The South African Human Rights Commission is calling for an immediate ban on harmful pesticides, particularly Terbufos, after reports of food contamination and serious health risks. This follows the deaths of more than 20 children last year, linked to Terbufos. The commission’s Wisani Baloyi says Parliament’s portfolio committee on Agriculture has agreed to take action: today13 February, 2025
insert_link World Concern over byproduct of disinfectants found in U.S. drinking water Researchers have identified a new chemical in U.S. drinking water, which is thought to be a by-product of the disinfectants used for decades to clean water of bacteria and water-borne illnesses. Scientists have recommended more research into the previously unknown compound to work out if it poses a threat to public health. Caroline Malone reports. today25 November, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical S.A. Health Authority Warns of Dangerous Counterfeit Diabetes Medication The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has sounded the alarm over counterfeit diabetes medication. There is a rise in particularly GLP-1 products like Ozempic, being sold through unauthorised channels. SAHPRA's Madimetja Mashishi says these fake medications pose serious health risks as they lack quality checks. He urges the public to buy only registered products: today14 November, 2024
insert_link World Delhi’s pollution levels rise to “severe” category Residents of India's capital New Delhi have woken up to a thick layer of toxic smog blanketing their city. With winter approaching, the air quality there has dipped to what officials call severe levels. Correspondent Ishan Garg tells us more. today13 November, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical No-sleep challenge: the dangers of sleep deprivation Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock By Adam Taylor, Lancaster University Most of us will be all too familiar with that dopey, groggy feeling of being tired after a restless night. Some social media users have taken tiredness to the extreme, however, by taking part in what they call a “no-sleep challenge.” One 19-year-old Youtuber, Norme, live streamed his attempt to break a world record for consecutive days without sleep. At the […] today10 September, 2024
insert_link Africa Mpox in the DRC: children are at high risk – health expert explains why By Nadia Adjoa Sam-Agudu, University of Minnesota The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk from the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports confirm that children under five account for 39% of all cases in the country, and babies as young as two weeks are being diagnosed with this viral illness. Nadia […] today2 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Heat risk isn’t just about the highs: Large daily temperature swings can harm human health – maps show who is affected most Low-income neighborhoods with lots of concrete and few trees can heat up faster than surrounding areas. AP Photo/Richard Vogel By Shengjie Liu, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Emily Smith-Greenaway, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences This summer has shown how quickly high temperatures can pose serious health risks, with record-breaking heat waves claiming thousands of lives around the world. However, it’s not just high […] today7 August, 2024
