International health news

A new ‘exercise pill’ could possibly deliver the benefits of fitness in the form of a tablet. The drugs could change the lives of those unable to exercise because of obesity or physical disability.

The European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) says the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in Europe is not yet contained and more cases can be expected.

Country updates

More than half of the UK‘s electronic cigarette users have given up smoking tobacco. However, Action on Smoking and Health said the message that vaping is not as harmful as smoking has not got through to all smokers.

The New Jersey (USA) food company Aunt Jemima has recalled frozen pancakes, waffles, and french toast due to fears of listeria contamination.

For the first time in more than 20 years, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The drug, called Radicava, has been approved for use in the USA.

Health advice

A study suggests that letting babies play on devices such as an iPad might lead to speech delays. The children in the study were between the ages of six months and two years, and got to play with the device for 28 minutes. Every 30-minute increase was linked to a 49% increased risk of speech delays.