Polio: we’re developing a safer vaccine that uses no genetic material from the virus

Recent reports of poliovirus detected in samples from a sewage treatment works in London have rightly generated significant concern among public health agencies and medical staff....

Misinformation will be rampant when it comes to COVID-19 shots for young children – here’s what you can do to counter it

What the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion means for women’s health and well-being: 4 essential reads

Aside from the political and legal implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade – ending the constitutional right to abortion – are...

How do painkillers actually kill pain? From ibuprofen to fentanyl, it’s about meeting the pain where it’s at

Without the ability to feel pain, life is more dangerous. To avoid injury, pain tells us to use a hammer more gently, wait for the soup...

Diamorphine shortage could be more than just a problem for drug users

The UK has experienced many shortages of essential medicines, especially since the beginning of the pandemic. The latest shortage is of diamorphine, a painkiller that can...

Five ways the pandemic has affected routine medical care

Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID has infected at least a third of the UK population and is estimated to have factored in the deaths...

Compassion in health care reduces health inequality for 2SLGBTQ+ people

An image from the comic ‘Compassion’ by Kayleigh Fine, which was commissioned to illustrate the importance of compassionate care for 2SLGBTQ+ people. (Kayleigh Fine), Author provided...

Poliovirus in London sewage – what you need to know

Just as we thought that monkeypox would be the new virus scare for 2022, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) declared a national incident of repeated...

When RAT-testing for COVID, should you also swab your throat?

We’re now pretty used to swabbing our nose to test for COVID when we have a scratchy throat or new cough. But should we also be...

How effective is mindfulness for treating mental ill-health? And what about the apps?

Mindfulness forms part of the trillion-dollar wellness industry, representing 1.5–6% of yearly spending around the world (estimated to be more than US$200 million) on wellness products...