Headlines
MedicalWHO says that countries are failing to implement tobacco controlsThe World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on 7th February, covering global tobacco use that reveals the world is making progress, but not a single country has brought in all the key measures necessary to implement full tobacco control. Cooking with poisonCut-price cooking oil used in most Malian households has been found to contain gossypol, a toxic substance that is known to cause sterility, cancer and inhibit growth. Cutting cosmetic regulations to the coreNew European cosmetic regulation is designed to strengthen product safety and to cut red tape. Health Dept requests private health cost infoPrivate health care providers are to provide information relating to the pricing of their services and business practices to the Department of Health. Rising obesity levels contradict consumer attempts to eat healthierDespite consumers making active attempts to eat healthier, the threat of obesity shows no sign of slowing down. Once confined to high-income countries and households, obesity is now just as much of a problem as malnutrition in developing countries. Sappi swings twice for CANSA - CANSAHistory was made in Nelspruit recently when Sappi Forest Product's CEO Jan Labuschagne, handed over the keys of a R1 million property to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). This is the largest in kind donation that CANSA Mpumalanga has ever received. Support the Everest Climb of Hope - CANSAAn enterprising young mountain climber from Durban is working towards his dream of climbing Mount Everest and donating the proceeds from an advertising banner to help fight cancer. CANSA pushes for smoke-free childhoods - CANSAAll parents and caregivers should ensure all children enjoy smoke-free childhoods, says the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) in its message for World Cancer Day on 4 February.
Chronic diseasesStong relationship between gout and consumption of soft drinks in menSugar and fructose appear to be major culprits in the onset of gout in men More brains needed to beat multiple sclerosisResearchers believe the MS Brain Bank, a new facility based at the University of Sydney for the collection of brain tissue, could significantly advance our understanding of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Corporate Social ResponsibilityInsulin pens launched In January 2008, sanofi aventis officially launched a new disposable pen for its LANTUS® and APIDRA® insulin. Named SoloSTAR®, the device was sampled firsthand by doctors who attended the events countrywide. Company news: Early diagnosis - the key to beating breast cancer - Magna CartaEarly diagnosis through self-examination, regular mammograms and timely treatment are the keys to beating breast cancer – the most common form of cancer in South African women.
Dental diseaseCannabis smoking a risk factor for peridontal diseaseTobacco smoking is a recognized behavioral risk factor for periodontal disease (through its systemic effects), and cannabis smoking may contribute in a similar way
Financial servicesCompany news: Year-end tax opportunities put spotlight on RAs - HWB CommunicationsNew generation pensions have changed the retirement annuity (RA) landscape and the final weeks of the tax year are proving critical for self-employed medical practitioners facing decisions on their retirement savings.
HIV/AIDSLiving with HIV an uphill battleMohana Rosario is like many people living with HIV in the world today. The 30-year-old mother of four from Manikganj District, 75km from the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, faces an uphill battle caring for herself and her family. Rumours of HIV in contraceptive spread panic in ZambiaA public health scare sparked by allegations that batches of the injectible contraceptive, Depro-Provera, contained the HI virus has exposed deep mistrust and high levels of misinformation about the safety of imported drugs. South Africa/Zimbabwe: ARVs behind bars South African police are denying detained undocumented HIV-positive migrants access to the crucial food needed to continue antiretroviral therapy, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Hospital GroupsCompany news: Off-shore business growth spells healthcare risk - Martina Nicholson AssociatedAt present many South African companies are doing business at a brisk pace in greater Africa and elsewhere in the world. While new business territories offer new and exciting opportunities there are also several risks and challenges involved, many of which are from unexpected quarters.
Infectious diseasesBird flu threatens Bangladesh poultry industry, livelihoods Bangladesh's poultry industry faces possible peril as bird flu spreads throughout the country: As of 5 February, H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks have been reported in 37 of the country's 64 districts. Whooping cough outbreak in West DarfurA dramatic rise in whooping cough cases has been reported near El Geneina, capital of the Sudanese state of West Darfur, but insecurity has made it difficult for medical personnel to reach the affected populations, according to an international NGO. Bird flu infection rates down 40 percent since start of 2008 says Egyptian governmentEgypt's Supreme Committee to Combat Bird Flu - a government body - said on 2 February that infection rates among poultry in farms and in backyards had dropped by an average of 40 percent since the beginning of 2008, due to media campaigns and vaccination drives. DRC: Cholera kills 59, more than 2,000 infected in Katanga An outbreak of cholera in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) province of Katanga killed 59 people and infected more than 2,000 in January, health officials said.
Medical ResearchScientists gain new understanding of gut bugsScientists have made a major step towards understanding precisely which bugs in the gut are involved in which processes in the body, by mapping the different species of bugs living in seven members of the same Chinese family. Novel compound may reduce heart attack damageA novel drug designed to reduce muscle damage from a heart attack has passed initial safety tests at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. iPods shown not to interfere with pacemakersA report in the open access journal BioMedical Engineering OnLine refutes claims that portable music players, such as Apple's iPod, interfere with cardiac pacemakers. Insomnia patients often denied sleep treatment when they have mental health problemsPatients with insomnia who are diagnosed with accompanying mental health ailments often are not prescribed medication that will help them sleep - which could then make related anxiety or depression worse, new research suggests.
Medical TechnologyLifeStraw water purifier grows into family size LifeStraw began when a young Danish graduate, whose family owned a small textile company, took a trip in the 1990s around Africa, where contaminated water claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
NPOWMA news: Physicians call for zero tolerance to female genital mutilation across the world - Magda NaudeSerious concern about the increasing tendency for female genital mutilation (FGM) to be carried out by medical personnel has been expressed by the World Medical Association. PHANGO news: Patient organisation launches consumer-friendly information tool on medical schemes - Magda NaudéWidespread confusion among consumers about medical scheme options and plans may now be something of the past.
NutritionFibred foods taste tastierLow-fat foods are often disappointing to consumers since removing the fat changes the desirable taste, texture and aroma of the original product. Now, a team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is developing a new technology that could lead to low-calorie foods that taste like the real thing. Company news: New label will help consumers make healthier food choices - Simeka TWS Communications With poor lifestyle choices, including over-nutrition, being the primary cause of growing chronic illnesses in South Africa across all demographic sectors, a scientific benchmark system is being locally adopted to identify healthier food products.
PaediatricsBreastfeeding now safer for infants of HIV-infected mothersAn antiretroviral drug already in widespread use in the developing world to prevent the transmission of HIV from infected mothers to their newborns during childbirth has also been found to substantially cut the risk of subsequent HIV transmission during breast-feeding. New biodegradable film reduces scarring following open-heart surgeryA new, biodegradable film designed to reduce the severity of scarring following open-heart surgery in young children appears to be safe and effective, according to researchers attending the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in Ft. Lauderdale.
Pharmaceutical companiesCompany news: ENDORSE trial shows most patients at risk for VTE - Jenni Newman Public RelationsThe Lancet published ENDORSE, the largest multinational study showing that the majority of hospitalised patients surveyed are at risk for VTE and many do not receive recommended VTE prophylaxis | 
Some time ago I saw an article giving the views of various plastic surgeons who were very concerned about the long-term side effects of cosmetic procedures such as Botox. Their concern was that we have no idea what these procedures will do to skin over time, particularly repeated procedures, which could, theoretically lead to scarring. 
