A new study from Cigna Healthcare has highlighted the detrimental impact of financial stress on global health and well-being, with more people turning to social support systems for help. The Cigna Healthcare International Health Study 2024, which surveyed over 10,000 people across 11 countries, reveals that overall health and vitality have declined, with financial well-being emerging as the weakest area of people’s lives. Although stress levels have fallen in most regions, financial concerns such as the cost of living and personal finance remain the most significant sources of anxiety worldwide. The report emphasises that financial pressure is preventing many from…
Author: Zak Osei
Zak Osei
Zak Osei spent seven years in the entertainment industry before he started writing about it. He worked in production at an independent film company, moved to a talent agency handling TV and digital talent, and spent two years on the commercial side of a streaming platform before the round of redundancies that taught him not to confuse a subscription number with a business model. He writes about film, television, streaming, music, and the business of making things people watch. He is interested in what gets made and why, not what gets nominated and by whom. Zak lives in South East London. He watches more content than is medically advisable and considers it professional development.
Employees from Hull-based engineering firm Spencer Group have completed a 100-mile sponsored cycle ride, raising vital funds for their charity of the year, Teenage Cancer Trust. The company has now surpassed £8,000 in its ongoing fundraising campaign for the organisation, which provides specialist care and support for young people with cancer. Dubbed the “Tour de Spencer,” the charity ride saw a team of 10 employees take on a gruelling route that spanned both sides of the Humber. Setting off from Hull, the cyclists travelled along the north bank of the Humber to Goole before circling back via the south bank…
Ahead of World Heart Day on 29 September, health experts are urging organisations globally to take proactive steps in safeguarding their workforce against cardiovascular disease (CVD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CVD remains the world’s leading cause of death, accounting for 17.9 million deaths annually, largely due to heart attacks and strokes. With more than 500 million people affected worldwide, companies are being encouraged to introduce heart health initiatives aimed at preventing CVD and improving employee well-being. A sharp rise in workplace cardiovascular issues has been observed by International SOS, which reports a significant surge in requests for…
A recent study has shown that the majority of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) who responded to the biologic treatment lebrikizumab have maintained clear or nearly clear skin for up to three years. The findings come from Almirall’s long-term extension study, ADjoin, with results set to be presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Amsterdam this week. Lebrikizumab, an interleukin-13 (IL-13) inhibitor, blocks a key cytokine responsible for driving inflammation in atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that affects millions worldwide. The drug works by targeting IL-13, which plays a critical role in disrupting…
A prominent Chinese medical expert will present a groundbreaking theory on heart disease treatment at the 36th World Congress on Cardiology and Heart Disease, taking place in London on 17-18 October 2024. Professor Luo Min, from Beijing Yuhe Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Rehabilitation Hospital, will introduce his original neural excitation theory, which could revolutionise how coronary heart disease is treated globally. Professor Luo’s research has been accepted for an oral presentation at the event, where he will discuss his findings in a session titled “The Newest Advances in the Prediction and Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Our…
Zoetis Inc., the global leader in animal health, is set to debut its latest innovation, the Vetscan OptiCell™, an AI-powered cartridge-based haematology analyser, at the London Vet Show. The new device is designed to deliver lab-quality Complete Blood Count (CBC) analysis at the point of care, providing significant time, cost, and space savings for veterinary teams while enhancing patient outcomes. The Vetscan OptiCell is part of Zoetis’ continued drive to push the boundaries of veterinary diagnostics. The analyser utilises advanced cell-focusing and AI-powered classification technologies, setting a new standard in CBC analysis with lab-grade precision in a compact, easy-to-use form.…
A new study led by PhytoHealth Corporation has uncovered promising results for advanced esophageal cancer treatment. The research indicates that combining a proprietary Astragalus extract with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) significantly boosts survival rates and tumour response in patients with advanced stages of the disease. The study, involving 38 participants with stage IIb to IIIb esophageal cancer, compared outcomes for those receiving CCRT alone with those receiving CCRT combined with PG2®, an extract derived from Astragalus membranaceus roots. The results suggest that the combination therapy offers notable advantages over the standard treatment. Significant Improvement in Survival Rates Patients who were…
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has announced plans to translate its extensive library of patient guidelines into Spanish, ensuring wider access to vital cancer care information. The NCCN Foundation, in partnership with the NCCN, is committed to making the entire collection of more than 70 patient-focused books available in Spanish. In addition, select editions will be translated into other languages. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients are a series of easy-to-understand resources that provide comprehensive information on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. These guidelines are based on the expert recommendations from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, which…
A popular fitness coach has revealed a simple yet effective hack that allows Nutella lovers to enjoy their favourite chocolate spread without the guilt. The trick or the Nutella hack to cut calories? A simple addition of low-calorie Greek yoghurt can slash the calorie count in half, letting you indulge while keeping your diet on track. Bethany Dobson, a well-known fitness influencer with over 782,000 Instagram followers and 20,000 YouTube subscribers, is passionate about helping others achieve their fitness goals. Despite her healthy lifestyle, Dobson admits she has an insatiable love for chocolate spreads like Nutella. “The thing is, I…
A recent survey of 2,000 adults who are attracted to men has revealed that facial hair plays a significant role in first impressions and attraction. Among the most favoured facial hair styles, stubble stood out as the top choice for 55% of respondents, with actor Chris Hemsworth as a popular example. Interestingly, while stubble emerged as the sexiest option, moustaches ranked as the least attractive, preferred by only 3% of those surveyed. The survey, conducted by Wilkinson Sword, highlights that facial hair is not just about grooming—it’s also about personality perception. Professor Tim Andrews, a facial perception expert working with…
