I’ve never been a smoker but lately I’ve started to take on some of the same zeal of reformed addicts. You see, a few years ago, I took a long, hard look at myself and decided to kick one of the most unnecessary…
People with major depression and anxiety are 75% more likely to have a heart rate condition linked to cardiovascular disease - regardless of whether they are taking antidepressants, new research shows…
Added sweetners are contributing to a rise in diseases, experts say. Flickr/Tony Castillo.
Governments should tax added sweeteners and limit their sale to people over a certain age, say health experts who consider sugar just as toxic to our health as alcohol. The consumption of sugar has tripled…
Want to quit smoking, lose weight, manage your diabetes or get a good night’s sleep? No worries. There’s an app for all of that. But it’s not always clear which medical apps are based on solid evidence…
The Heart Foundation today announced plans to dump its tick from takeaway foods, citing unfair advantage for companies such as McDonalds over small takeaway outlets that can’t afford the accreditation…
The cocoa in chocolate may be good for your health but the sugar and fat in it are counter productive.
Peter Pearson
A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous cohort studies on the effects of chocolate consumption has found that chocolate may be linked to a reduction in the risk of developing heart disease. The…
Children with damaged kidney functions are likely to endure poor growth, impeded puberty growth and heart problems. 35% of…
The new ‘epidermal’ electronic systems conform to the surface of the skin and may provide a range of healthcare and non-healthcare related functions.
John A. Rogers
Scientists have invented new stick-on ‘tattoos’ that track human heart, brain wave and muscle activity and could one day replace cumbersome medical monitors. Known as an epidermal electronic system (EES…
The epidermal electronic system can measure your vital signs in a completely unobtrusive way.
John A. Rogers
When you think of tattoos you probably imagine bikies, celebrity tats or that Japanese flourish on your left foot that means “Honour” (or so you think). You probably don’t picture medical revolution…
Excessive sitting increases your risk of chronic disease, even if you get enough exercise.
Whether it’s at work, in cars, watching TV or using the computer, there’s no denying many of us spend the majority of our days sitting. And while science is yet to prove conclusively that too much sitting…
Trans fats are more harmful to your health than regular fats and should be avoided.
Flickr/Half alive
Trans fats – they’re in our chips, bakery goods, popcorn and cakes. We know we should avoid them, but what exactly are they, and why are they so bad for us? First, let’s take a step back and look at how…
Women who smoke while pregnant may raise the resulting child’s risk of developing heart disease by as much as 15%, a new study has found. Smoking during pregnancy has previously been linked to fetal health…
The number of people smoking daily has dropped but 60% of Australian adults are now overwight or obese, a government study found.
Flickr
Over 60% of Australian adults are now overweight or obese, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report, Key indicators of progress for chronic disease…
Are we treating normal sadness as a clinical disorder?
Gatis Gribusts
It’s normal to feel down in the dumps from time to time, so drawing a line between low moods and mental illness is understandably fraught. But are health professionals treating normal sadness as a clinical…
Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand