Gabriela Galvin

Healthcare

Why Western Europe is rolling back access to puberty blockers

Several countries have restricted the use of puberty blockers, citing insufficient evidence on their benefits for gender-questioning youth and potential long-term effects.

13 December 2024

Health news

Malaria cases surge to 263 million amid stalled effort to stop spread

Access to vaccines and insecticide-treated mosquito nets, as well as new treatments, are needed to combat malaria, experts said.

11 December 2024

Health news

What patients who opt for medically assisted dying have in common

Patients with ALS or cancer were more likely to choose assisted dying regardless of where they lived, a study found.

9 December 2024

Health news

Mystery disease in DRC still undiagnosed despite some clues, WHO says

A lack of local lab testing, limited infrastructure, and threats from armed groups are slowing down the public health response.

9 December 2024

Health news

Iceland is a model of gender equality but it’s hiding a dark secret

Sexual assault was more closely associated with PTSD symptoms than a slew of other stressful life experiences.

7 December 2024

Health news

UK scientists develop urine test for lung cancer ‘zombie cells’

The test aims to speed the detection of lung cancer, which often isn’t found until the later stages.

6 December 2024

Health news

England to roll out new anti-obesity drug but only for some patients

The drug is expected to cost €381.1 million per year within three years.

5 December 2024

Health news

What we know about the mystery disease killing dozens in the Congo

Health officials are racing to determine the nature of the disease, which has sickened hundreds of people in recent weeks.

5 December 2024

Health news

Childhood diabetes rates are rising globally. How does Europe compare?

A Nordic country has the world’s highest rate of childhood type 1 diabetes, according to a new analysis.

4 December 2024

Health news

Poliovirus found in sewage in three European countries. What now?

Health authorities say European countries should ramp up their immunisation and disease surveillance efforts.

4 December 2024

Health news

Average adult could live 5 extra years with more exercise

The most workout-averse adults had the most to gain.

2 December 2024

Health news

Corrupt dictatorships have fewer doctors, study finds

Countries with stronger democracies and lower levels of corruption tend to have a stronger physician workforce, the study found.

1 December 2024

Health news

WHO: Lebanon’s health needs are ‘huge’ amid Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

Some Lebanese hospitals could be operational within weeks, officials said, but others will take months to repair.

28 November 2024

Health news

New HIV cases rose in 21 European countries in 2023

The increase in diagnoses in 2023 is likely due in part to an increase in testing, but health authorities said more work is needed to contain HIV.

28 November 2024

Health news

Common drug could be ‘game-changer’ for asthma, COPD patients - study

The study authors said the results could lead to an update in how the lung conditions are managed.

28 November 2024

Health news

Weight loss drugs could help fight chronic kidney disease, study finds

Researchers said the drugs could make a major difference for chronic kidney disease patients by helping to reduce other risk factors.

26 November 2024

Nutrition

Calorie labels on menus may not lead to healthier habits, study shows

The policy was enacted in 2022 in an attempt to reduce England’s obesity rate but researchers say it may take more time for menu labels to make a difference.

25 November 2024

Health news

Why did Europe stop adding fluoride to its drinking water?

Few EU countries still fluoridate their water supplies, but there's no evidence that countries in Europe stopped because of health harms.

23 November 2024

Health news

How European countries stack up on cancer screening

There is wide variation in cancer screening across Europe, but no country scores perfectly across the board.

21 November 2024

Healthcare

Italy spent over €1 billion on dozens of ‘drugs to avoid’ in 2022

An independent researcher said the results should spark a re-evaluation of some medicines, but do not necessarily mean patients are being harmed.

20 November 2024