There has been an alarming surge in early-onset cancer cases worldwide. Specifically, there is a 79.1% increase since the 1990s, leaving scientists puzzled. A disturbing trend is sweeping the globe: cancer, a disease often associated with ageing, is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people. Over the past three decades, research has shown a concerning surge in malignancies affecting adults under…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Ghana’s Diabetes Crisis: A Public Health Emergency
For an estimated 2.4 million people in Ghana living with diabetes, a manageable chronic illness has become a desperate daily struggle for survival. By exploring Ghana’s diabetes crisis, we uncover how families become trapped in a devastating cycle. They must choose between essential medication and basic needs like food and rent. As the cost of care continues to soar and…
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National Health Insurance (NHI) and Political Criticism
Mounting criticism labels South Africa’s controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) plan not as a lifeline for a broken system. Instead, critics see it as a meticulously planned manoeuvre to centralise control over a budget exceeding R1 trillion. Opponents argue that the National Health Insurance move, disguised as universal healthcare, is nothing short of “state capture 2.0.” They warn it threatens…
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Climate Change in Africa: A Growing Health Crisis
Global health and climate experts have issued a stark warning: the escalating climate crisis is fuelling a parallel health emergency. Africa is at its epicentre. Devastating reports from The Lancet Countdown and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reveal the severe toll on human well-being. Consequently, African nations are demanding that health be placed at the centre of global climate negotiations.…
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Twice-Yearly HIV Jab: Activists Call for Lower Prices
A groundbreaking, twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention is hailed as a potential ‘game-changer’. However, it is at the centre of a fierce debate regarding affordability. Health activists worldwide implore its manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, to prevent a “missed opportunity for achieving equity.” This twice-yearly HIV jab could revolutionise prevention efforts. But that will only occur if it becomes accessible to all.…
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HIV Prevention Strategies with Lenacapavir Injection
In a decision that could fundamentally reshape the fight against HIV, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval to Gilead Sciences’ lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly injection for preventing HIV infection in adults and adolescents. Marketed under the brand name Yeztugo in the US, this innovative drug has been eagerly anticipated by both investors and HIV/AIDS activists…
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Measles Vaccination in Gauteng is Urgently Needed
Gauteng’s health authorities are sounding the alarm as the province grapples with a significant increase in measles cases. Since the beginning of 2025, health officials have reported a worrying 181 laboratory-confirmed cases. The epicentres of the outbreak are located in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni. It is crucial to address the importance of measles vaccination to manage the situation in Gauteng…
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Rise in Allergies Due to Climate Change Effects
The familiar misery of a runny nose, itchy eyes, and worsening asthma symptoms for hay fever sufferers is set to become even more pervasive, as experts warn of an “explosion” of allergies driven by a shifting climate. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has identified a clear link between climate change and altered patterns in pollen and spore production and distribution,…
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NHI Complaints Unit and its Centralised Approach
As South Africa moves towards the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), specific provisions within the NHI Act regarding complaint management have become a significant point of contention. Recent court challenges have highlighted the issue. Sections 42 to 44 establish a centralised investigative unit within the NHI Fund. This unit is the exclusive authority for handling all complaints. These…
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US Aid Cuts Threaten Global HIV/AIDS Goals
The ambitious global target of eradicating HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is facing a severe setback, according to Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS. Speaking on Friday after a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Byanyima warned that US President Donald Trump’s recent cuts to foreign aid, including crucial HIV/AIDS programmes, will further derail an…
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Discovery Health Sees Membership Decline in 2024
Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is navigating a challenging landscape. A recent annual report, released ahead of its AGM, reveals a notable decline in membership across several of its core medical plan options in 2024 compared with 2023. Nine out of the 16 core DHMS medical plan options experienced a drop in members. Seven plans saw increases. One of these…