Public health News

1 in 3 people worldwide has high BP

Data shows one in three adults has raised blood pressure, the cause of half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease and affects about half the adult population in Africa.

World disease fund gets a boost

The Global Fund, a leading financier in the struggle against Aids, TB and malaria, expects to have an additional R12.7 billion to fund projects in 2012-2014, its new chief said.

Facebook calls for organ donors

Facebook executives have put out a call to encourage the more than 900 million social network users to speak up if they are organ donors and display it on their personal pages.

Court supports generic drug makers

The US Supreme Court ruled that generic drug makers can challenge big-name pharmaceutical firms in court to stop them from broadening the scope of their patent descriptions.

Cost of ageing rising fast

People worldwide are living three years longer than expected on average, pushing up the costs of ageing by 50%, and governments and pension funds are ill prepared, the IMF said.

Motsoaledi slams forensic test time

Lengthy delays in acquiring forensic test results have harsh effects on the lives of many South Africans, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has said.

Chronic meds delayed in W Cape

The changing of service providers has caused a delay in the delivery of chronic medication to patients in the Western Cape, the provincial health department said.

Olympics: health measures boosted

UK health officials are increasing their surveillance for any potential disease outbreaks that could disrupt the London Olympics this summer.

Pensioner want to die with dignity

With a deadly dose of barbiturates stashed in his home in a small Dutch town, Hans Hillebrand is a "self-determinist": he wants to decide when it's time to die with dignity.

SA gold firms face class action

A lawyer is preparing a lawsuit against gold mining firms on behalf of thousands of former miners who say they contracted silicosis through negligent health and safety.