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Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (on screen), director general of the World Health Organisation, delivers a message to the multi-stakeholders hearing on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing. Photo: UN/Loey Felipe

The UN had a plan to fight deadly lifestyle diseases. Industry pressure killed most of it

At the UN General Assembly high-level meeting in New York next week, South Africa is expected to join other countries in signing a watered down declaration meant to curb diseases…

Among NCDs is diabetes, which is likely to afflict 8.75 million people by 2040 and requires urgent government intervention

Diabetes the top non-communicable disease killer in South Africa

Among NCDs is diabetes, which is likely to afflict 8.75 million people by 2040 and requires urgent government intervention

Interventions such as immediate food relief and raising awareness are needed to address both undernutrition and obesity

A shift to whole grain food would reduce malnutrition and diseases

Refining wheat, maize and rice removes their nutritional value, which contributes to preventable diseases such as strokes, diabetes and obesity

Sugar high: NGO Heala is lobbying for the sugar tax to be increased from 11% to 20%. (Mujahid Safodien/AFP)

A spoonful of sugar makes taxes go up

NGO Heala is asking for the health-promotion levy to be hiked, while also dismissing claims by the sugar industry that this will cause job losses

Toxic: Schools in the city of Gurgaon, near New Delhi in India, closed because of the hazardous level of pollutants in the atmosphere. (Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times/Getty Images)

Climate change is also a health crisis

"Future efforts must reflect the real costs of our fossil fuel economy and aid those most affected."

South Africa’s salt limiting legislation was a world first.

SA’s bold move on salt gets off to a shaky start

South Africans consume between 7.8 and 9.5g of salt per day, exceeding the World Health Organisation’s one teaspoon recommendation per day.

Get up, stand up, stand up for your cardiovascular might

Going to gym twice a week isn’t enough to counter the effect of sitting on your backside all week.

Experts say the vast sum spent by Sylvia Lucas on unhealthy food is indicative of a big fat problem.

N Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas pours salt on the wound

Experts say the vast sum spent by Sylvia Lucas on unhealthy food is indicative of a big fat problem.

Lifestyle diseases threaten NHI

Government has raised concerns that the health system may buckle under the pressure of both HIV and non-communicable diseases – a dual epidemic.

Sex life leaving a bad taste in your mouth?

Poor oral hygiene doesn’t just affect your gums; it can also lead to impotence.

Lisa Corke

Laughing to death is not funny

In some people, intense emotion or a sudden shock can cause the heart to malfunction.

Identifying South Africa’s silent killers

Diseases with little or no symptoms are silently killing South Africans.

Breast is best – for slim adults

Breast is best – for slim adults

Exclusively breastfed babies are less likely to become obese adults, research has shown.

Stroke can be a heartbeat away

Atrial fibrillation makes it important for you to know your pulse and learn how to take it, writes <b>Ayanda Sitole</b>.

Working around the clock can harm your ticker

Working excessive hours is thought to damage cardiovascular health by causing a person’s heart rate and blood pressure to go up.

Call for heart pills at fast-food outlets

Call for heart pills at fast-food outlets

McDonald’s, Burger King and other fast-food outlets should offer diners free drugs to compensate for the risk of heart disease.

Red Heart pill on human trial

A drug that combines four different medicines and could halve deaths from heart attacks and strokes around the globe will enter human trials soon.