Starving in the city: Why SA’s richest province is hungry
South Africa’s Constitution makes food a human right, but 11% of the country’s people are hungry. Here’s why.
Here’s what will happen in SA if the US reverses abortion rights
In the United States, the end of national abortion rights could be closer than we think. In South Africa, laws to permit terminations don’t have to be in trouble – people struggle to get abortions anyway.
The gag rule, God and other reasons women struggle to access contraceptive services
Unintended pregnancy rates of women aged 15 to 49 years are nearly three times higher in Africa than in Europe or North America. Here are some of the reasons why.
HIV prevention should be like fast food. This data shows why
KwaZulu-Natal’s state facilities are in the lead when it comes to stocking HIV prevention medicines (97% of them do), and the Western Cape is last in line at 8%. But, the home of the Mother City is the only province in which men use HIV prevention medicine more than women.
Did you see your psychologist over Zoom during lockdown? Telemedicine is here to stay
COVID-19 lockdown restrictions meant many therapist offices had to close and cancel in-person appointments. But doctors were able to use videoconferencing to support patients who got anxious, stressed out and depressed.
Social media or social anxiety? How online platforms can harm our kids
Social media can be good and bad for children. But the bad can get ugly, though. Some children suffer serious symptoms such as anxiety and attention issues as well. The solutions are simple and cheap, researchers say.
Counting calories or carcinogens? How to pick the fake sugar in your tea
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame are found in many common foods and drinks, but a new study shows that these food additives could contribute to an increased risk of developing different kinds of cancers.
No shoes allowed: Why it’s best to go bare indoors
About a third of the dust in your home is carried in on the soles of people’s shoes, and some of it can be bad for people, such as microplastics or poisonous substances like lead. The solution is pretty simple and the science is clear-cut. Leave your shoes outside.
A sin tax on vapes is not as bad as Aids denialism. Here’s why
Lobbyists pushing for vaping as a way to help people quit smoking insist taxing e-cigarettes like traditional smokes will lead down a similar path as the state-sanctioned project of denying HIV treatment to state patients.
The transparency tightrope: Why regulators are being taken to court over Pfizer’s COVID vaccine
Both the United States’s and South Africa’s medicines regulators have faced legal challenges with regards to the information used to review and approve Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. But the rules that bind the two government bodies are different — as is the amount of information they can share.
Sex & social media: How to talk to young people about sexual health
Successfully talking about sexual health on social media means moving away from fearful and stigmatising messaging. Young people are more likely to engage with information about safe sex if it’s tailored to them and includes visuals.
It’s your last shot at getting a Pfizer vaccine. Here’s how South Africa’s roll-out...
Just under a third of South Africa’s remaining COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer are set to expire by July. After that, any unused doses will have to be destroyed. Until then the health department is trying to increase uptake of the doses and donate spare shots.
Unengaged and uninvolved: How to help South Africa’s youth stay off the streets and...
Young South Africans in townships are less likely to have access to recreational activities like sports centres, community halls or parks. With little else to do, they may turn to gangs, crime or drug and alcohol abuse. Here’s how to fix that.
Finding the right fit: Why South Africa won’t be using this COVID pill
South Africa is unlikely to buy a new oral COVID-19 pill called molnupiravir, despite the drug having been approved for use in the country. That’s because deciding to spend money on a medication rests on more than just whether it works.
Magic melanin: Everything that makes Black skin unique
Black skin has a natural sun protection barrier equal to sunscreen of 13.4 because it contains more melanin. This extract from the book “Black Skin” unpacks the factors that make dark skin unique.
[PODCAST] Money troubles: Why SA can’t afford COVID vaccines for children 5 to 11
The health department won’t buy any more COVID vaccines this year. That includes Sinopharm, Sinovac and jabs for children.