America’s $88bn anti-ageing industry: dangerous and with no scientific backing

Suzanne Somers says she will still be having sex with husband Alan Hamel when she’s 94 – and he’s 105. Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty The desire to defy age is as ancient as human history, but in the past 10 years a multibillion-dollar industry has sprung up in America promising decades of extra life and good health beyond your 100th birthday. However, a new book has revealed a disturbing lack of safety regulation, outrageous unproved medical claims, risky products that could cause serious health problems,... [Read More]

Hospitals warned over doses of drugs given to babies

Poppy Davies died after being given a glucose overdose at Great Ormond Street hospital. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Hospitals have been told to take care when giving infants intravenous doses of fluids or drugs, after a baby girl died after a glucose overdose at Great Ormond Street children’s hospital in London. The National Patient Safety Agency has drawn the NHS’s attention to the risk of newborn babies accidentally receiving large amounts of such substances. It follows the death in 2009 of Poppy Davies,... [Read More]

Gay men and lesbians are putting their health at risk by abusing drugs Many gay people are also regular club-goers, which might encourage drug abuse, according to a new report. Photograph: Edward Hirst / Rex Features Gay men and lesbians are far more likely... [Read More...] Is lawn bowls about to turn trendy? Rick Edwards, left, and Mathew Horne taking part in a bowling match off Brick Lane, east London. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Sunday afternoon on Brick Lane, and as usual London’s pop... [Read More...] The Hellespont swim: following in Byron’s wake The Hellespont: a challenging prospect for swimmers. Photograph: James L Stanfield/National Geographic/Getty Images My passion for Lord Byron’s work began in my teens when I studied... [Read More...]

Trials of non-emergency healthcare advice line begin Andrew Lansley says the 111 non-emergency advice line will ‘help improve efficiency across the whole healthcare system’. Photograph: David Graeme-Baker/PA Trials of a non-emergency... [Read More...] ways to avoid acne Acne is a problem that affects almost of all adolescents and many adults as well [Read More...] Young at risk as sexually transmitted infections reach record levels Detail from a safer sex poster – part of a 2006 campaign by the NHS. Numbers of sexually transmitted infections have risen to a record high, with young people especially at risk. Photograph:... [Read More...]