International health news

A small study found out that treating patients with the drug olaparib could slow down cancer growth by three months. It would be less toxic for patients with BRCA-related breast cancer. The drug is one of the ‘precision medicines’ researchers are currently developing.

Naled, the main chemical ingredient in the bug spray used against Zika-carrying mosquitoes, has been found to be bad for children’s motor function. Researchers found that 9 month-old children in China scored 3% to 4% lower on tests of fine motor skills than children who hadn’t been exposed to naled.

A new international study showed that more than one in ten people worldwide are obese. On top of that 2.2 billion people are overweight. Weight problems claims millions of lives every year. Since the study started in 1980 the obesity number have doubled in 73 countries. At this moment 107.7 million children and 603.7 million adults are obese.

Country updates

According to the report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in seven people in the US has a kidney disease, which is higher than previously thought. This results show that around 30 million Americans have a kidney problem without knowing about it.

Officials found out that the rate of sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS has doubled in Iran over the last couple of years. According to the Social Harm Prevention Office, this number has mostly increased among women. It’s hard to control the spread due to cultural and social barriers.

Insurance companies in India reward their customers to stay fit. When they don’t submit a medical insurance claim, join a wellness program or adopt fitness schedules in their daily lifestyles, they will be rewarded. Most health insurance companies give discounts on the insurance itself.

Health advice

A study suggests that friends may make you happier and healthier than your relatives. Unlike your family, you can choose your friends, so you can choose to be around people you actually like!

The latest research carried out by Dr Paul Carter and his colleagues has suggested that marriage can help buffer against big heart disease risks like cholesterol and high blood pressure. Earlier, they had found out that marriage is linked to a better chance of surviving a heart attack.