SA’s Life Expectancy Declines as NCDs Surge

In a concerning reversal of global progress, SA’s life expectancy in 2023 was lower than it was over three decades ago, according to a landmark study. The relentless rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and stroke is now actively undermining...

Medical Aid Tax Credits Impact on Private Healthcare

The Department of Health is actively collaborating with the National Treasury to establish thresholds for medical aid tax credits. This signals the first concrete steps towards phasing them out to fund the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. While officials insist...

Surge in Illicit Medicines Threatens Public Health

South Africa is at a critical crossroads in its fight against a rising tide of illicit, substandard, and falsified medicines. These pose a severe threat to public health. The influx is particularly alarming in relation to GLP-1 agonists, the popular class of medicines...

World Mental Health Day Highlights Urgent Needs

As the world marks Mental Health Awareness Month this October, Africa stands at a critical juncture. With its population set to reach 2.5 billion in the coming decades, the continent faces a deepening mental health crisis. This crisis is chronically underfunded,...

Poor Sleep Mortality Risk Linked to Irregular Patterns

Individuals who maintain irregular sleep patterns and get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night face a staggering 22% higher poor sleep mortality risk than the general population. This is the landmark finding from new research conducted by South...