International health news from around the web: 13 January 2014.
International health news
- Obesity epidemic underestimated — Estimates half the UK will be obese by 2050 underestimate the scale of the problem, and experts say the situation isn’t improving.
- New blood test to predict heart attacks – More than 920,000 Americans will have a heart attack this year, now a test could predict the likelihood of suffering one.
- Dengue fever-like disease a global health threat – Chikungunya has been reported in the Caribbean, the first time mosquitoes in the region have infected humans.
Health advice
- Caffeine could boost memory — After learning something new, drink a cup of coffee to help cement that knowledge, as a study shows it improves long-term memory.
Country health alerts
- India: Polio-free for 3 years — An intensive and successful immunisation programme has resulted in no polio cases being reported for 3 years.
- Sweden: Pioneering womb transplants – Nine woman have received a womb from living relatives to help them carry their own children.
- USA: Flu season peaks – With 10 child deaths since September 29 and 35 states reporting widespread flu activity this season is pretty typical say experts.