HEALTH

Nearly 2 million children under five die from lack of care in India every year, more than in any other country, said a new report released on Monday which blames poor public health spending and entrenched inequalities.

Although new research links mercury in seafood with high blood pressure, this isn't reason enough for most people to stop eating fish, the study leader says.

Taking a popular type of antidepressant during pregnancy may increase the risk for preterm birth, the need for treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit and lower overall health for the baby, according to a new study.

People who follow a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish are less likely to become depressed, scientists said on Monday, but the reasons are unclear.

After 3,000 years of mystery, the secrets of acupuncture have been unlocked by Curtin University of Technology researchers.

Monash University research shows that testosterone treatment improves brain function in healthy postmenopausal women.

Care about the future of your feet? You might want to consider your shoe choices carefully, new research shows.

Days before the swine flu vaccine becomes available, more than half of U.S. adults say they will get the vaccine for themselves and 75 percent will get it for their children, according to a survey released on Friday.

Despite earlier health agency warnings, there is no strong evidence that the anti-smoking drug Chantix raises the risk of suicidal thoughts or depression compared to other stop-smoking products, researchers reported Thursday in the British Medical Journal.

A new compound can quickly counteract the action of an emerging class of drugs, offering a way to reverse the drugs' actions if a patient develops serious side effects, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.

The H1N1 swine flupandemic should spur pharmaceutical researchers to renew efforts to develop a universal flu vaccine and rethink ways of dealing with future pandemics, scientists said on Friday.

Rich countries should make more vaccine available to poorer nations where the H1N1 virus is starting to hit, U.N. health officials said on Sunday.

Healthcare workers in Indiana and Tennessee will be among the first to get swine flu vaccines in the United States on Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Americans of Indian descent may have a heightened risk of diabetes, even when their weight is in the normal range, research suggests.

Adults aren't the only ones affected by the often disabling pain of a migraine. Many children and teens also are prone to the intense pounding, occasional nausea and aura that warns some migraine sufferers.

The risk for major depression more than doubles while women are going through menopause and afterward, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society in San Diego.

Important news for seniors: A daily dose of vitamin D cuts your risk of falling substantially, researchers reported today.

Are you at risk for dowager's hump? Findings from a small study suggest you may want to try yoga to decrease this age-related curve of the upper spine.

One in two adult Australians has a blood cholesterol level over 5.5 resulting in a huge cost to the community in terms of lives lost, and financial cost to the nation's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in order to control it.

Australians are being encouraged to set aside some time to go for a walk and to continue to be active as part of Walk to Work Day today.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Friday wrapped up debate on a massive overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system and prepared to vote on the legislation next week.

High-risk patients who took a combination of three older heart drugs -- a generic statin, a generic blood pressure pill and a low-dose aspirin -- cut their risk of a heart attack or stroke by as much as 80 percent, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

An experimental diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca met its main target in a late stage study, achieving significant reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin levels.

More than half of babies born in rich nations today will live to be 100 years old if current life expectancy trends continue, according to Danish researchers.

Women who are overweight or obese when they get pregnant are more likely to give birth to children with congenital heart defects, according to a U.S. government study released on Thursday.

A virtual reality tool, developed by Flinders University, is coming to the aid of older people with early onset dementia, improving their quality of life while giving their carers a little peace of mind.

Today Australia will embark on what is potentially the biggest vaccination program in its history, offering free pandemic (swine flu) vaccine to every person in the country.

Queensland will get an extra $36 million to support older people living independently in their own homes under the Commonwealth-State Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

Individuals, people in workplaces and community groups are encouraged to get active in October - beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month - to raise awareness of anxiety and depression and help reduce the stigma associated with them.