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The amount of money Northern Ireland universities are spending on mental health and wellbeing services for students has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Figures received via Freedom of Information requests have revealed the amount of money allocated has increased by an average of more than 40% since 2020. That includes the annual amount for salaries, wellbeing services and counselling. Northern Ireland's mental health champion welcomed the increased spending but called for a joined-up approach with statutory services. Professor Siobhan O'Neill said starting university very often coincided with the age at which most common mental disorders first present themselves. She put an increase in the recorded rates of poor mental health in students down to "increased financial and social pressure" as well as a "reduced stigma and a willingness to ask for help". "International students, and those from marginalised communiti...

STRUGGLING to afford food today could mean heart problems tomorrow. Young adults experiencing food insecurity have a 41 percent greater risk of developing heart disease in midlife, even after accounting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, according to a Northwestern University School of Medicine, United States, study published recently. Food insecurity—struggling to get enough nutritious food to stay healthy—affects one in eight households in the United States each year, the study added. “We’ve known that food insecurity and heart disease often go hand in hand, but this study shows, for the first time, that food insecurity comes first,” said Dr Jenny Jia, an instructor of general internal medicine and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine internist. “That makes it a clear target for prevention—if we address food insecurity early, we may be able to reduce the burden of heart disease later.” Related Death...

The rainy season comes with a lot of goodies. Talinum triangulare (waterleaf) is in season. Crassocephalum crepidioides, known as ‘efo ebolo’ in Yoruba, Crassocephalum biafrae, known as ‘efo worowo’, and Amaranthus viridis (tete abalaye) are also some of the vegetables that come with this season. Nobody plants all these vegetables—nature gives them to us! Please take advantage of this season by eating these vegetables, and do not forget to add locust beans each time you cook them. This week, I will be talking about the foods we need to eat and some lifestyle changes we need to imbibe to achieve good gut health. Before then, I would like to share the outcome of a large study published in the journal Nature Microbiology. For the study, more than 21,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy used an app to answer detailed questionnaires about what they ate regularly. Their diets were grouped into three categories: omnivore (including meat, dair...

The problems could cost the equivalent of US$57 billion, around 22 per cent of the total national health budget China, plagued with famine six or seven decades ago , is facing an obesity crisis, prompting warnings that more than 65 per cent of adults could be overweight or obese by 2030. Beijing is racing against time before chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular problems place further pressure on the country's healthcare system. Last year, the National Health Commission (NHC) and other government departments launched a three-year plan to tackle the problem, which includes diet and exercise recommendations. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Last month it stepped up its efforts by announcing a plan to introduce m...

As more Nigerians embrace the benefits of physical activity and fitness regimens, senior healthcare professionals have warned against abusing exercise and overexerting the body. The experts urged fitness enthusiasts to adopt moderate training routines for long-term health and wellness, noting that excessive workouts could lead to severe health complications, including sudden collapse and, in extreme cases, death. They also advised individuals to seek professional guidance to determine appropriate fitness plans instead of self-prescribing intense workout routines. Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise, a Professor of Physiotherapy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Rufus Adedoyin, said while regular physical activity is essential for optimal health, it must be approached with caution. He noted that overexercising could result in injuries, muscle strains, frustration and, in rare instances, fatalities. “Exercise can be abused just li...

Dermatologists have warned that individuals who use skin-bleaching products may experience delayed wound healing, increasing their risk of infections and other health complications. The experts noted that bleaching creams and soaps often contain harsh chemicals such as hydroquinone, potent steroids, and mercury, which can cause skin thinning, irritation, and long-term damage. Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe, said the chemicals in these products impair the skin’s ability to heal from injuries. According to her, bleaching creams, especially those containing steroids, thin the skin, making it fragile and slow to recover from cuts or injuries. “Yes, they can make it much harder for the skin to heal properly. The skin loses some of its natural strength, and wounds take longer to close. Hydroquinone also affects melanin...

Certain fruits like grapefruit, pineapple, avocado, and kiwi can aid in burning belly fat, due to their fiber, enzymes, and other beneficial compounds. According to The Times of India , fruits are naturally low in calories and high in fiber, which helps control hunger by making you feel fuller for longer periods. Their natural sweetness also satisfies cravings for sugary snacks, offering a healthier alternative. As a result, they can prevent the accumulation of belly fat and support your weight loss journey. Health experts highlight the following nine fruits as particularly effective for reducing belly fat and supporting overall weight loss: 1. Grapefruit A grapefruit, cut in half, on a plate. Illustration photo by Pixabay Studies suggest that grapefruit can help lower insulin levels, promoting weight loss. Its high fiber and low-calorie content further support fat burning. In addition, grapefruit may improve immune ...

Worried young men are increasingly paying for private prostate cancer tests as they are not eligible for them on the NHS , figures have revealed. Over the past three months Britain’s biggest online pharmacy has seen a 600 per cent rise in sales of blood tests that looks for signs of the disease. According to Pharmacy2U, men under 50 are most likely to order the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. The trend followed the news last year that Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy had terminal prostate cancer. He was diagnosed at 48, having never been offered a PSA test. NHS guidance states that men under 50 can have the test only if they have symptoms, which include difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction, blood in the urine and semen, weight loss , back pain and loss of appetite. But most men with early-stage prostate cancer do not have any. Sir Chris – along with Prostate Cancer UK – is calling for the age at which men are offered the te...

Prescription practices for osteoporosis drugs have been dubbed a 'wild west' which risks thousands of preventable deaths every year. A report published by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Osteoporosis and Bone Health – which includes MPs, lords and clinicians – found that two-thirds of patients with the brittle bone condition have struggled to get their medication. Experts say there is a 'postcode lottery' caused by a lack of knowledge among many GPs about new medicines. 'Patients are clearly being let down,' says Louise Statham, a clinical pharmacist at the University of Sunderland. 'Patients deserve consistent prescribing, so their postcode does not impact their treatment.' Osteoporosis affects more than 3.5 million in the UK – nearly two-thirds of whom are women. Many do not realise they have the condition until they break a bone. The disease causes bones to become so fragile a break can be triggered by a cough or sneez...

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday described the foremost industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa, as an exemplary Nigerian who is investing his hard-earned resources to impact humanity and enhance better living for all. Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Kashim Shettima, has equally emphasised the need for the private and public sectors to collaborate with the government to enhance qualitative healthcare delivery for all Nigerians further The President disclosed this on Saturday while inaugurating the over N2bn Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Foundation Trauma Centre built by the billionaire industrialist for the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu to mark his 80th birthday. The event had in attendance the former governor of the state and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Afolabi Salisu representing Ogun Central, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziak Salako, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo lan...

Agartala ( Tripura ) [India], April 6 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday paid a surprise visit to IGM Hospital and Agartala Government Dental College and directed all staff and doctors to ensure that there is no gap in the treatment of patients. During the visit, he spoke to the doctors and health staff and emphasized the importance of addressing shortcomings in the service. "Even under huge loads, the doctors and health workers here are providing very good services. However, there are some problems. In this case, due to the excessive load on the hospital, there are some problems with cleanliness. There is also a lack of awareness among the relatives of the patients in this regard. So they have to be overcome. And we have to learn a lot from the corporate sector. However, the government hospitals spend more than the corporate sector. Necessary initiatives will b...

Patients who regularly miss NHS appointments could be sent to the back of the queue under plans to cut waiting times, Wales has been told. It is one of a number of Welsh government ideas being discussed to improve the NHS, which has recently seen small reductions in record waiting lists. The threat of sanctions would be balanced by an improved Welsh NHS app, which would allow patients to track their progress through the system and make or amend appointments at the touch of a button. Health boards could also have their funding clawed back if they have been given extra cash to hit specific targets but do not make them. But this will not affect core health board funding. The plans are being framed as striking a new deal between the NHS and patients, where there would be a greater expectation for patients to play their part. In order to better manage waiting lists, there could also be increased levels of intervention to get patients fit for surgery, such as people ...

Why would a cow that has been healthy all along suddenly begin drooling? I’ve had that problem with my three-year-old cow for about three weeks.Wairimu NjeriNakuruUnhealthy conditions or deviations from normal health in cattle contribute to economic losses due to treatment costs, reduced production and possible deaths.One such condition is excessive salivation or drooling in cattle, although this can be a sign of various issues including mouth problems, heat stress, certain (infectious) diseases, metabolic disorders or even emotional factors.Mouth problems could include congenital abnormalities, infection causing mouth sores and drooling, foreign object/injury in the mouth, tongue or even abscess/blockage of salivary glands.Cattle can also develop habitual drooling when under continuous heat stress, depending on the severity.Increased respiration rates with drooling is a biological function of animals for increasing loss of this heat.A cow suspected to be abnormally drooling, especiall...

The rare hantavirus that killed Gene Hackman 's wife Betsy Arakawa has claimed the lives of three more people in California . The victims were all from the town of Mammoth Lakes, around 250 miles inland from San Francisco, where officials said they had been struck by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) . Dr. Tom Boo, the Public Health Officer for Mono County, where the deaths occurred, described the incidents coming so close together as 'tragic and alarming.' The health official said it is not yet understood where the deceased individuals had contracted the deadly virus, which is exceedingly uncommon. HPS is so rare in the US that only one or two people die every year, and there have only been around 1,000 cases in the past three decades, mostly among farmers, hikers and campers and homeless populations. The deaths come weeks after Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26 , afte...

April 5 (CNN/GNA) – More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a number expected to nearly triple by 2050. Deaths from strokes may double by the same year, and 10% to 20% of adults experience depression later in life. While the numbers are striking, there’s a growing body of evidence showing that many of these cases may not be genetically fated, but rather could be delayed or prevented altogether by addressing health factors generally within our control. At least 17 factors contribute to dementia, stroke and late-life depression, according to an extensive review published Wednesday in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. Addressing the 17 factors can reduce people’s risk for all three conditions. Those factors are, in no order of importance: Blood pressure Body mass index Kidney disease Blood sugar Total cholesterol Alcohol use ...

Parents, teachers, doctors, and disability inclusion advocates have identified issues that need attention to create a more supportive environment for children with autism in Rwanda. These challenges were highlighted during the National Conference on Autism, held in Kigali on April 2, in commemoration of International Autism Awareness Day. ALSO READ: Early detection of autism helps children prosper – experts The event, the first of its kind in Rwanda, brought together parents of autistic children from across the country, talented autistic children who showcased their abilities, and key stakeholders in disability inclusion. 1. Mutuelle de Sante coverage While not all autistic children require medication, those with related complications often need long-term treatment. One of the major concerns raised by parents is the high cost of autism-related treatments which are not covered under the community-based health insurance scheme, Mutuelle de Sante. Parents are advocating for the inclusio...

By Anthony Adongo Apubeo Bolgatanga, April 05, GNA – Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged stakeholders in the Upper East Region to be vigilant and increase surveillance for Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM). He called for intensified awareness creation among residents to ensure that they were abreast with the signs, symptoms and precautionary measures to help in the prevention of the spread of the disease and early detection for timely treatment. Professor Akoriyea made the call during an engagement with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council in Bolgatanga as part of a working visit to the region since his assumption into office earlier this year. In the early part of 2025, the country recorded its meningitis cases in the Upper West Region and as at February, 16 persons had lost their lives to the disease out of the total 173 suspected cases. Additionally, in the Upper East Region, two perso...

As technology and communication improve, some conventional methods of medical services in animals and humans as well as crop farming will inevitably change.People are demanding more efficient, readily available and non-physical services wherever digital technology is applicable.I have included crop agriculture under health services because even plants get diseases and need to be treated. There is the role of crop farming experts that is called plant health services.We know more about the use of pesticides in crop farming to kill insects and other disease-causing agents. But plants also have bacteria and viruses that cause diseases such as the tobacco mosaic virus or bacterial wilt in tomatoes and passion fruits.Some crop farmers call agriculture service providers and request them to diagnose and treat diseases on their plants to avoid paying the visit or chemical application fees.Read: Remote diagnosis and prescription is rarely helpfulI have received questions from livestock farmers, ...