A new large-scale study tracked people’s dietary habits and health outcomes from midlife to about age 70. This is what they found out.
Eating a diet that is mostly plant-based – and that skips red meat and ultra-processed foods – is tied to better physical and mental health in old age, a large new analysis shows.
The study, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine, tracked about 105,000 people in the United States for up to 30 years.
It analysed health outcomes associated with eight diets and eating habits, including the Mediterranean diet, which emphasises olive oil, fish, and nuts, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which restricts sodium to help control blood pressure.
Around age 70, the healthiest people’s diets included plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts, beans and other legumes, and “moderate” levels of animal-based foods such as low-fat dairy.
Less than 1 in 10 are ageing healthily
While research into diet and health outcomes is nothing new, the study authors said their analysis is one of the first to hit upon how different eating habits in midlife are tied to healthy ageing overall.
In the study, people were considered to be ageing well if they reached 70 without any major chronic conditions, if their brain function was still good, and if they had “intact” mental health and physical abilities.
Compared with other research on healthy ageing, Guasch-Ferré said this is a more comprehensive view that takes into account quality of life rather than just how long people live.
“Do we really want to live longer, or do we want to live better?” she said.
Yet fewer than one in 10 people actually met the bar for healthy ageing, the analysis found.
While the study was done in the US, Guasch-Ferré said the results likely hold up in Europe as well.
The study has some limitations, however. While the researchers tried to take factors like socioeconomic status into account, other issues such as genetics, the environment, and access to healthcare could also play a role in the diet-health nexus.
Even so, Guasch-Ferré said the findings could be used to tweak dietary guidelines – and to help incentivise people to make healthier dining choices.
“Of course, healthy ageing is not just [about] the diet,” she said. But “any improvement on the diet could help”.
Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) and its partners have commended the government for presenting the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy but are calling for increased and sustainable health financing to drive Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
While acknowledging the government’s decision to increase the health budget from GHS 15.6 billion in 2024 to GHS 17.8 billion in 2025, a nominal increase of 13.4%, HFFG noted that this still falls short of the 15% commitment outlined in the Abuja Declaration.
In a statement, the organisation said, after adjusting for inflation, the real value of the 2025 health budget has declined by 23%, which could hinder service delivery and UHC progress.
HFFG commended the Government’s commitment to uncap the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) totaling GHS 9.93 billion, aimed at supporting vaccine procurement, claims payments, procurement of essential medicines, bridging donor gaps such as USAID financial shortfalls, free Primary Health Care, and critical care services.
While this is a step in the right direction, the Ministry of Finance must release funds to the NHIA without delay. Additionally, the Ministry of Health should submit timely requests to facilitate the NHIA in fulfilling its mandate.
The organization also highlighted the urgent need for sustainable domestic funding as Ghana prepares for the exit of Gavi support by 2029, to avoid vaccine stockouts and maintain public health gains. They emphasized the importance of achieving vaccine sovereignty. Additionally, HFFG acknowledged the government’s focus on epidemic preparedness and response, but called for a dedicated pool of resources for emergency preparedness, noting the country’s vulnerability to outbreaks.
HFFG’s Key Recommendations:
• Timely Release of Vaccine Co-financing Funds – The government must ensure the prompt release of funds to meet Ghana’s vaccine obligations to prevent shortages and disease outbreaks.
• Increased Health Budget Allocation – Ghana should work towards the Abuja Declaration target of 15% of the national budget for health, as the current 6.32% allocation is insufficient.
• More Domestic Funding for Primary Health Care and Immunization – While the uncapping of NHIL is commendable, additional domestic resources are needed to cover expanded services.
• Dedicated Emergency Preparedness Fund – Ghana needs a reserved funding pool to respond to health emergencies, given the emergence of new disease strains requiring costly treatment.
HFFG reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to ensure equitable health financing and uninterrupted access to essential health services. The organization urged policymakers to act swiftly to address these critical gaps to safeguard the health of all Ghanaians.
Surgical doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, have suspended all surgical procedures indefinitely due to a severe water shortage that has disrupted operations at the facility.
Hospital authorities report that the water supply issue has persisted since last week, making surgical procedures unsafe and significantly affecting essential healthcare services.
In response to the crisis, the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association issued a memo on March 25, instructing management to comply with the suspension to safeguard patient safety and well-being.
The memo emphasized the critical role of water in maintaining hygiene, performing surgeries, and ensuring proper patient care. However, the ongoing shortage has compromised these essential functions, leaving doctors with no choice but to halt surgical cases temporarily.
“This memo is to formally inform management of the decision taken by the Orthopaedic and Emergency Directorate to temporarily halt the admission of new patients until water supply is restored,” the statement read.
Despite ongoing efforts to manage the crisis, the memo highlighted that the situation has reached a critical level, posing serious risks to patient safety and healthcare delivery.
Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Association, assured that doctors remain committed to attending to existing cases and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the suspension.
The association also urged hospital management to explore alternative water supply solutions and provide regular updates on efforts to resolve the crisis.
Researchers have found that a medication commonly used to treat rare diseases could make human blood lethal to mosquitoes, presenting a potential breakthrough in the fight against illnesses like malaria.
The drug, known as nitisinone, is typically prescribed to individuals with rare genetic disorders that hinder the complete breakdown of specific amino acids.
Nitisinone functions by inhibiting an enzyme, thereby preventing the accumulation of harmful byproducts associated with these diseases in the human body.
When mosquitoes drink blood that contains nitisinone, the drug also blocks the enzyme in their bodies, stopping them from properly digesting the blood, leading them to quickly die, according to their findings published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
“One way to stop the spread of diseases transmitted by insects is to make the blood of animals and humans toxic to these blood-feeding insects,” Lee R Haines, associate research professor at the University of Notre Dame in the US and co-lead author of the study, said in a statement.
“Our findings suggest that using nitisinone could be a promising new complementary tool for controlling insect-borne diseases like malaria”.
Personal protective measures include wearing covering clothes, the use of mosquito repellent and the use of bed nets or window and door screens.
A growing need for mosquito control solutions
Another method is the use of ivermectin, used to kill parasites. However, its repeated use can lead to drug-resistance. It can also be toxic for the environment.
“Nitisinone performance was fantastic,” said Álvaro Acosta Serrano, professor of biological sciences at Notre Dame and co-corresponding author of the study.
“It has a much longer half-life in human blood than ivermectin, which means its mosquitocidal activity remains circulating in the human body for much longer. This is critical when applied in the field for safety and economical reasons,” he added.
Nitisinone was able to kill mosquitoes across all age groups, including older mosquitoes that are most likely to transmit malaria. It was also capable of eliminating insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.
“In the future, it could be advantageous to alternate both nitisinone and ivermectin for mosquito control,” Haines said.
“For example, nitisinone could be employed in areas where ivermectin resistance persists or where ivermectin is already heavily used for livestock and humans”.
Mosquito-borne diseases include malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya and yellow fever, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
They represent an emerging threat to human health in Europe with climate change creating more favourable conditions for invasive mosquito species despite malaria being eradicated from the continent for several decades.
Infertility is more than a medical condition—it’s an emotional and psychological journey often suffered in silence. Behind the polite smiles and societal expectations lies a deep, hidden heartache that many individuals and couples endure. The inability to conceive can impact mental health, relationships, and self-worth, yet conversations around it remain limited in many cultures. In this blog, we break the silence and explore the unseen emotional toll of infertility, shedding light on the support, empathy, and awareness needed to truly understand this invisible battle.
Infertility affects millions of people worldwide, yet it remains a topic shrouded in silence and stigma. For many women trying to conceive, the bathroom can be a painful reminder of disappointment. It is where pregnancy tests are usually first taken, and where tears of sadness and frustration often fall when the test turns out negative.
This period in a woman’s life is marked by uncountable emotions that are usually inexplicable and negative. The question of “why me?” echoes strongly, making her wonder why her story can’t be one of smiles, like it has been for others.
But it is not only women who are affected, men also are, whether as partners of women battling infertility or they themselves being infertile.
The Emotional Earthquake of Infertility
A Medical Director of the International Fertility Group (IFG) and an internationally recognized Fertility Specialist, Dr. Uliana Dorofeyeva notes, “Infertility is not just a diagnosis. It is an emotional earthquake. It shakes up how you see yourself, your body, and even your future.”
With over 20 years of experience in fertility, she acknowledged that individuals trying to conceive often feel like they could no longer recognize themselves. “And the aftershocks show up in everyday life—at work, in conversations with friends and in your relationships with partners.”
The Loneliness of Infertility
Dr. Dorofeyeva highlights the special kind of loneliness that comes with wanting something so deeply and not being able to explain why it’s not working. “Even people with supportive families often feel incredibly alone in this” she said.
She revealed how this sense of isolation can quietly erode even the strongest partnerships. “When it comes to couples, infertility can either become a wedge or a reason to draw closer. But that takes intention” she said.
Coping with Infertility
The Fertility Specialist explained that people coped differently, leading to one partner wanting to talk while the other wants to shut down. Some may devour every article on the topic, while others avoid it altogether. “Although the love is there, sometimes it gets lost in the silence” she revealed.
Finding Strength: Coping Mechanisms
Dr. Dorofeyeva advised individuals trying to conceive to first give themselves permission to feel everything, including anger, grief, jealousy, and numbness. “These feelings are not ‘bad’ emotions—they are human ones. Naming these feelings is like opening a window to a stuffy room. It doesn’t fix everything, but it helps you breathe again” she explained.
She encouraged individuals to become informed, but not obsessed, with their fertility journey. “The unknown is terrifying. But understanding the steps, the options, the risks—it gives you a structure to hold on to.”
Self-Care
The Fertility Specialist stressed that no one should go through infertility alone. “You don’t need a huge circle. Sometimes one person who really listens is enough. Whether it’s your partner, a friend, a pastor, or a trusted elder—choose someone who listens with their heart.”
She emphasized the importance of self-care, encouraging individuals to make time for hobbies, fresh air, and music to help them feel good before medical appointments. “And when it gets too heavy, take a break. You are allowed to pause. Healing is not linear. Some days you will feel strong. Other days, broken. Both are real. Both are part of this” she advised.
Couples’ Support
Dr. Dorofeyeva advised couples to prioritize their relationship and work to make it stronger by building intentional habits of connection instead of fighting each other. “Talk about how you are feeling—not just about what the doctor said today. Ask each other, ‘how is your heart?’ Sit with the answer, even when it’s hard” she stated.
She encouraged couples to make decisions together and not let one person carry the emotional burden. “Be partners in this. Not just patients. Find joy where you can. Go for a walk. Dance in the kitchen. Watch a silly movie. You are allowed to laugh. Infertility doesn’t take away your right to joy.”
The Journey to Parenthood
Dr. Dorofeyeva noted that the road to parenthood was often long, but not always in the way people think. “It’s not just about how many months or years it takes. It’s the emotional journey that stretches time.”
She clarified that while some journeys begin with a diagnosis, others begin with a whisper of doubt. “But they all involve choice, courage, and a thousand small decisions. That’s why the doctor’s role isn’t just to prescribe. It’s to walk alongside” she said.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with infertility, remember that seeking help is the first step toward healing. Do not be afraid to reach out to a healthcare professional, support group, or trusted friend or family member.
The Ministry of Health has announced a reduction in the cost of application forms for Health Training Institutions across Ghana, effective for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The announcement, made in a press release issued by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh on Monday, April 14, 2025, aims to make healthcare education more accessible and affordable for prospective applicants nationwide.
According to the release, the sale of application forms will officially commence on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and end on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with further details to be published soon.
A key highlight of the announcement was the fee reduction: “The general public and all prospective applicants must take note that the cost of application forms, which was two hundred Ghana cedis (GHS 200.00), has now been reduced to one hundred and fifty Ghana cedis (GHS 150.00).”
The release further clarified the government’s intentions: “The reduction is intended to enhance access and affordability for applicants across the country.”
The Ministry also emphasized the official vendors for the application forms: “The general public and all prospective applicants are entreated to take note that only GCB Bank PLC and the Agricultural Development Bank are mandated to sell the application forms.”
The move is expected to be welcomed by aspiring healthcare professionals and their families, potentially increasing the number of applications and broadening the pool of qualified candidates for Ghana’s Health Training Institutions.
This commitment to reducing financial barriers to education aligns with the government’s broader goal of improving healthcare access and equity across the country.
An at-home spit test is better at identifying prostate cancer risks in some men than the standard test on the market, a new study has found.
The findings mean those at higher risk of prostate cancer – one of the most common forms of cancer among men – could someday have a new screening option that is less likely to return false-positives that require burdensome follow-up.
For the study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers took saliva samples from about 6,400 men in their 50s and 60s in the United Kingdom, and used DNA samples to calculate their prostate cancer risk, which is called a polygenic risk score.
They then did additional scans and biopsies for men with the highest risk scores, and diagnosed 40 per cent of them with prostate cancer.
Among men flagged as high-risk through the standard prostate screening tool, 25 per cent actually have cancer – significantly worse than the spit test.
That means introducing the spit test could “identify men at risk of aggressive cancers who need further tests and spare the men who are at lower risk from unnecessary treatments,” said Rosalind Eeles, one of the study’s authors and a professor of oncogenetics at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
False positives of standard tests
The standard tool is a blood test that tracks a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer.
The PSA test is typically used for men at higher risk of cancer due to their age or ethnicity, or because they have symptoms. Men with high PSA levels are sent for additional tests to confirm whether they have cancer.
But it has a tendency to give false positives and detect low-grade cancers that are unlikely to ever be life-threatening, meaning many men undergo unnecessary scans, biopsies, and treatments, according to the ICR.
The researchers said the saliva test could serve as another screening tool offered to men who are either at higher risk of prostate cancer or are showing symptoms.
Future studies will track men with high polygenic risk scores to see whether they go on to develop prostate cancer.
But it could be years before the spit tests become standard practice due to the logistics and cost of integrating them into the healthcare system, according to Michael Inouye, a professor of systems genomics and population health at the University of Cambridge who was not involved with the study.
“To me, the study really makes me start to believe that these investments are worth it,” he said.
The Ministry of Health, led by Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, today hosted a high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), headed by its Director General.
The visit aimed to explore Ghana’s potential role as the host for a new office of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).
During the meeting, discussions centered on WAHO’s strategic vision for regional health integration, with a particular emphasis on the benefits of establishing an office in Ghana. Both parties recognized that such an initiative would enhance coordination of health programs, improve responses to public health emergencies, and create more opportunities for technical collaboration throughout the region.
Minister Akandoh warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude for WAHO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems and promote collaboration among ECOWAS member states. He highlighted Ghana’s established reputation in public health leadership, medical research, and health infrastructure development, affirming the country’s readiness to support WAHO’s objectives.
“We are honoured by WAHO’s interest in Ghana and are eager to deepen our collaboration. Hosting a WAHO office would not only enhance our partnership but also solidify Ghana’s position as a hub for health innovation and coordination in West Africa,” he stated.
The WAHO delegation praised Ghana’s proactive engagement in regional health initiatives and commended the Ministry for its openness to partnerships. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating closely with regional and international stakeholders to improve health outcomes and build resilient healthcare systems across the West African subregion.
