International health news
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported that the hepatitis A outbreak in Europe is still ongoing with more cases to be expected. 387 new cases have been reported since the last update in February 2017.
Researchers in Canada may have found a way to reverse Type-2 diabetes. Long believed to be a chronic disease, the team found that with a low-calorie diet, regular exercise and diabetes medication, they were able to put the disease into remission in some patients.
Country updates
The US House of Representatives has passed legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate, but if passed, Trump’s American Health Care Act would leave 24 million Americans without health insurance.
A law has been passed in France banning the use of unhealthily thin models. Models will now have to provide a doctor’s certificate proving they have a healthy BMI, and employers who break the law will face a heavy fine and jail time. This comes alongside a report in the UK showing that female mannequins are ‘medically unhealthy’ and set unrealistic expectations for women.
Over 50% of vapers in the UK have quit smoking, according to a survey by Action on Smoking and Health. However, the survey also found that almost a third of people still believe that e-cigarettes are more or as harmful as smoking tobacco.
Health advice
An international study has found that therapy has significant long-lasting benefits for depressed pregnant mothers. The results showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) not only helps their mental health, but in turn improves their financial situation, their work life and their relationship with their children.
According to research presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, reading to babies gives a long-lasting boost to their literary skills. It found that the positive impacts on a child’s language and reading skills last for up to four years, just in time for the start of primary education.
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