Aids takes its toll on SA industries

R2.4 billion paid out in insurance claims, while employers foot the premiums Read more >>

Positive HIV test halts porn shoots at US companies

LOS ANGELES: More than half a dozen pornographers in California's multibillion-dollar adult entertainment industry have halted production after an actor tested positive for HIV - and more shutdowns were expected. Read more >>

Standard Bank HIV/Aids programme benefits thousands

Standard Bank's HIV/Aids programmes have touched the lives of an estimated 160 000 Standard Bank employees and their families, says Sim Tshabalala, the bank's chief executive. Read more >>

Join in - do the Organ Donor Foundation Big Walk

Every living person has the potential to save a life. On Saturday, 23 October 2010 the world will walk across five continents to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation. Read more >>

Holgate goes the whole 9 yards...

The Holgate family has taken their malaria fighting campaign to all 54 African countries. Read more >>

Liberty Medical Scheme shows good growth

From 1 January 2011, medical aid rates of Liberty Medical Scheme will go up by an average of 12.8%. According to Andrew Edwards, executive principal officer at Liberty Medical Scheme, "The increase was influenced by aspects such as practitioner costs and medical technology, which comes at a high price every time there are advancements; not forgetting that the profitability and future sustainability of the scheme also plays a role." Read more >>

Research may pave way to cure cystic fibrosis

Study recognised for significance and importance in the world's most common genetic disease. Read more >>

Trauma in the SA environment

Yesterday, 17 October 2010, was World Trauma Day... "My hi-jacking at gun-point, in front of my two small children was the most traumatic experience of my life. I thought I was going to die and it shook the foundations of my world. The LifeLine Johannesburg counsellor helped me to see that I wasn't going crazy and that my reactions were normal. Through trauma counselling I was able to put the hi-jacking into perspective and move forward with my life." Read more >>

Spuds grow businesses, people

Potatoes South Africa (PSA) has launched a "Growing Potato Entrepreneurs" micro enterprise development programme with its 'spudmobile', a fast-food outlet on wheels, perfect for the preparation of spatlos, one of South Africa's most popular township take-away meals. Read more >>

Researchers identify genes that predict early menopause

The first research from the Breakthrough Generations Study could lead to a test to predict a woman's reproductive lifespan. Read more >>

Scientists identify protein in urine can indicate prostate cancer risk

Cancer Research UK scientists have shown that a protein in urine could be a powerful indicator of prostate cancer risk, according to a study published in PLoS ONE. Read more >>

By gum! Here are some tips to help keep teeth and gums healthy

Good nutrition and healthy eating habits are essential to maintaining optimal oral and overall health. With Halloween just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) encourages parents to be mindful of the amount of candy their children are consuming, and to use this holiday as an opportunity to remind them about the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums. Read more >>

Children recognise signs of neglect in peers: Survey

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] Children are often good at noticing their school mates who face neglect at home says a new study. Read more >>

Obesity medicine Reductil withdrawn in South Africa

Abbott Laboratories has announced it will voluntarily withdraw Reductil (sibutramine) from the South African market after discussions with the Medicines Control Council. Read more >>

Bryan Habana celebrates Global Handwashing Day by launching Guinness World Records attempt

Yesterday, in celebration of Global Handwashing Day today, 15 October, renowned South African rugby player, Bryan Habana and Moeneeb Josephs, Bafana Bafana and Pirates goalkeeper, joined Protex to unveil the world's largest soap sculpture at Maponya Mall in Soweto, Gauteng. This sculpture has been assessed by Guinness World Records and has been approved as having met their stringent guidelines. Read more >>

Minister of Health urges partnership with LGBT community

South Africa's Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has committed his department to working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, such as OUT, to ensure equality in the provision of health services. Read more >>

Are you REALLY hungry?

[Ayesha Seedat] Have you ever noticed just how often food is the focal point of so many occasions? Lunch with friends, a romantic candle-lit dinner, Christmas or Eid Lunch, celebration of engagements, weddings and birthdays? Read more >>

New anti-smoking product available

A South African developed anti-smoking programme, Beyond Nicotine, is now available in all Dis-Chem stores, as well as selected pharmacies. Read more >>

TB to be tackled by new WHO program

The World Health Organization aims to avert 10 million deaths from tuberculosis in the next five years through a new program. Read more >>

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial

Cancer - it's a word that strikes fear in people from all walks of life, but the good news is that there is much that you can do to in your lifestyle, and by paying attention to your body, that can reduce the risk of contracting the disease or, should you contract it, being able to identify it in its early stages and so be better able to combat it. Read more >>

Untreated endometriosis: what are the risks?

Endometriosis is a disease affecting millions of women throughout the world. For many, the condition goes unnoticed. But for others, it demands professional attention, especially when fertility is impaired or pain affects the lifestyle. Read more >>

German pharmaceutical firm halts 'female Viagra' development

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that it will discontinue the development of its investigational compound flibanserin for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Read more >>

The 70m spit

SHANGHAI, CHINA: Spitting is a national habit in China. The Public Health Bureau Of Shanghai wanted an anti-spitting public awareness campaign to target migrant workers in an attempt to squash the habit. Read more >>