A summary of this week’s top health news stories around the web.
International health news
- Cost-cutting boosts health access – An operation which costs $1,583 in India costs $106,385 in the U.S. cutting costs has helped millions access healthcare in the developing world.
- MERS less contagious than SARS – A new report says the MERS virus is less infectious than SARS as it’s older people and those with chronic health problems are more likely to succumb to the disease.
- World Hepatitis Day – One of only four diseases to have an international “day”, hepatitis is a global scourge, with 2 million people affected by hepatitis B alone.
Health advice
- Menthol cigarettes higher risk? – Young people are more likely to start smoking with minty cigarettes, and evidence suggests they are harder to give up.
Country health alerts
- UK: Majority survive testicular cancer – Survival rates rose to 96% in 2009, with many sufferers living at least 10 years after diagnosis.
- New Zealand: Too fat to stay – A South African expat’s visa renewal has been rejected as he is too fat, at 130kg, to stay, say authorities.
- Brazil: Thalidomide still damaging babies – A new report has revealed mothers are still taking thalidomide unaware of the risks to unborn babies.