Health – Articles, Analysis, Comment – The Conversation

WHO worker administers Ebola vaccination in Mbandaka, DRC. STR/EPA

Worsening Ebola crisis leaves UN Security Council with few options

Mark Eccleston-Turner, Keele University

The UN Security Council’s response to the most recent Ebola outbreak has been weak. But what options does it have?

People who live in countryside are less likely to survive cancer

Rosalind Adam, University of Aberdeen; Peter Murchie, University of Aberdeen, and Romi Carriere, University of Aberdeen

A new meta-analysis of 39 studies from around the world reveals a major disadvantage.

Does problem-solving really protect against cognitive decline in old age?

Roger Staff, University of Aberdeen; Lawrence Whalley, University of Aberdeen, and Michael Hogan, University of Galway

A new study suggests that being intellectually engaged does nothing to slow cognitive decline, but it does start the decline from a higher point.

Erectile dysfunction: exercise could be the solution

Helle Gerbild, University of Southern Denmark; Christian Graugaard, Aalborg University, and Kristina Areskoug-Josefsson, Jönköping University

Aerobic exercise can improve erections in men suffering from erectile dysfunction.

The UK is believed to have one of the highest rates of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome in the world. shutterstock

The problem of drinking in pregnancy – and what to do about it

Lisa Schölin, The University of Edinburgh; Carolyn Blackburn, Birmingham City University; Julie Watson, University of Hull; Lesley Smith, University of Hull, and Moira Plant, University of the West of England

The UK is lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to preventing harm caused by drinking during pregnancy.

Psychotherapy can make you richer - especially if you are a man

Noemi Mantovan, Bangor University; Guido Cozzi, University of St.Gallen, and Silvia Galli, University of St.Gallen

Economists have used their monetary methodologies to work out how visiting a therapist affects labour income.

Many Muslim women say prejudice stops them from talking about their religion with healthcare staff. shutterstock

Islamophobia and media stigma is having real effects on Muslim mothers in maternity services

Shaima Hassan, University of Liverpool

Muslim women in the UK don’t feel able to discuss their healthcare needs because of fears of islamaphobia.

Neoliberalism has led to a crisis in care – and we urgently need to solve it

Catherine Rottenberg, University of Nottingham

Britain – and many other countries – is facing an acute care crisis that is inextricably linked to the entrenchment of neoliberalism.

PrEP pills. Bowonpat Sakaew/Shutterstock

Stop blaming PrEP for the rise in STIs – the picture is more complex than that

Oli Stevens, Imperial College London and T Charles Witzel, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Blaming the rapid increases in syphilis cases on PrEP is an oversimplification of a complex problem.

Review recommends empowering neglected mental health patients – but changes may not go far enough

Michael Fay, Keele University

A review has suggested giving patients who are detained in hospital the right to appeal decisions about their treatment. Sadly, this may never happen.

More people are experiencing severe food allergies than ever before

Matthew Smith, University of Strathclyde

A worrying lack of open-minded research means we do not know exactly why food allergy is on the rise.

Why snacking could be damaging your health

Jenna Macciochi, University of Sussex

Just the act of eating each meal places a large degree of physiological stress on the immune system.

Postnatal depression affects between 8-11% of new fathers. Halfpoint/Shutterstock

I had postnatal depression as a new father and know why mental health checks for dads should be expanded

Viren Swami, Anglia Ruskin University

NHS plans to screen at risk fathers for postnatal depression.

Why women reject breast cancer preventing drug – new study

Rachael Thorneloe, University of Leeds and Samuel Smith, University of Leeds

Tamoxifen can reduce some women’s risk of getting breast cancer, so why are so many reluctant to use it?

Why nurses should take the HIV self-test

Amanda Lee, University of Hull and Mark Hayter, University of Hull

Taking the HIV self-test gave nurses valuable insights into what their patients go through.

Up to 17% of children in the UK could have symptoms of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, according to latest estimates

Cheryl McQuire, University of Bristol

Foetal alcohol syndrome disorder is a much under-recognised and unsupported condition in the UK.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Orawan Pattarawimonchai/Shutterstock

Alzheimer’s: drug trials for preventing the disease in people with Down syndrome may soon be possible – here’s why

Carla Startin, University of Surrey

People with Down syndrome are at much higher risk of dementia than the general population. Knowing when cognitive changes start is critical for developing new drugs.