Prevention

The World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa says it is scaling up efforts to stay ahead of an Ebola outbreak in the region. The announcement signals intensified containment measures, with health authorities working to trace contacts, treat cases and prevent further spread across affected areas.

State health officials in North Carolina are throwing their support behind mental health first aid training programs at colleges and universities. The initiative would train students, faculty and staff to recognize signs of mental distress and connect peers with help. The backing comes as campuses nationwide face rising demand for mental health support and look for practical ways to build awareness across their communities.

Iraq has entered a delicate period as United States forces begin withdrawing from the country, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government facing pressure to contain armed factions and prevent a resurgence of extremist groups. Al Jazeera reports the withdrawal marks a high-stakes balancing act, as Baghdad must manage relations with Washington while addressing internal security threats from militias and remnants of the Islamic State.

The United States has put together a plan to prevent foreign threats from interfering in the November elections, according to a report by VEJA. The move falls under the US Defense Department and comes amid heightened concern over foreign meddling ahead of the vote. It is drawing attention in Brazil, where readers are closely following US electoral security preparations.

A Hindi-language health report claims that many illnesses can be treated or managed through diet and nutrition alone. It highlights the role of everyday food choices in preventing and recovering from disease, a message resonating widely with audiences interested in affordable, non-medical approaches to health and wellbeing.

A new study finds that infections are responsible for roughly one in eight cancer cases around the world. The finding highlights the role of viruses and bacteria, such as those linked to cervical and liver cancers, in the global cancer burden, and points to prevention through vaccination and treatment of infectious diseases as a major public health opportunity.

A mental health expert is calling on Hispanic families to talk openly about mental health and challenge stigma within their communities. The appeal comes during Hispanic Heritage Month, a period celebrating Hispanic culture and history. The message emphasizes that cultural taboos around discussing emotional struggles can prevent people from seeking help, and encourages families to treat mental health as openly as physical health.

Indonesian health authorities have stated there is no so-called 'super flu' outbreak in the country and have cautioned the public against hoarding oseltamivir, the antiviral used to treat influenza. Officials appear to be responding to public concern and rumors about a severe flu strain, urging people not to panic-buy medicines and to rely on official health information.

Stony Brook University hosted its Food as Medicine Symposium, bringing together experts to examine how nutrition shapes health and community wellbeing. The event highlighted growing interest in using dietary interventions alongside medical care, with discussions on food access, preventive health, and the role of community programs in improving outcomes through better eating.

Councilors in Waltham have recognized the important role community support plays in mental health care and wellbeing. The statement underscores a growing focus among local officials on prevention and neighborhood-level networks rather than clinical services alone. Details of any new programs or funding commitments were not included in the report, and it remains unclear what concrete actions may follow the acknowledgment.

Apple's smartwatch can now track low-level cardio fitness and alert users when readings fall below expected ranges. The feature uses the device's existing heart rate and activity sensors to flag reduced cardiovascular capacity, giving wearers an early signal to improve fitness or consult a doctor. Coverage highlights it as another step in Apple Watch's expansion into preventive health monitoring.

Prevention has published dietitians' recommendations for healthy snacks to eat when hungry before bed. The piece addresses a common concern that eating late at night is harmful, offering expert-backed options that satisfy hunger without disrupting sleep or digestion. It is part of ongoing seasonal advice around sleep quality and eating habits.

A doctor writing for Prevention has named the number-one food to eat for strong bones, offering guidance for people looking to protect bone health through diet. The recommendation has caught attention among readers interested in nutrition and preventing conditions like osteoporosis, with prevention-focused dietary advice continuing to be a popular health topic.

State officials say they hope to reduce suicides by building new and expanded partnerships, though details of which organisations or programmes are involved have not been reported. The announcement points to a broader effort to expand suicide prevention beyond government services alone, but no further information is available about funding, partners, or timelines.

Counties receiving payouts from opioid settlements are considering pooling funds and coordinating spending through regional partnerships rather than acting alone. Supporters say a joint approach could stretch limited settlement money further and address addiction, treatment and prevention needs that cross county lines. Local officials and advocacy groups are watching closely how the funds will be allocated and what programs they will support.

A mental health professional spoke out during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which runs throughout September, to highlight warning signs, encourage open conversations about mental health, and point people toward available resources. Coverage of the remarks comes as awareness campaigns continue across the United States, urging communities to check on loved ones and reduce the stigma around seeking help.

The South Carolina Department of Health is inviting teenagers from the Lowcountry region to join its youth advisory council. The council gives young people a role in shaping health programs and policies that affect them. Local officials hope the group will provide direct input on issues like mental health, substance use prevention, and community wellbeing. Applications and details are being shared through schools and community organizations in the region.

Researchers report that living environment and lifestyle factors may accelerate biological ageing as early as early adulthood, according to a study distributed via Newswise. The finding suggests ageing processes begin accumulating far earlier than previously assumed, prompting discussion about prevention earlier in life.

Public health experts are raising concerns about the consequences of cutting DEI-related health research funding. When studies focused on health disparities and underserved communities lose support, gaps in knowledge about which groups face worse health outcomes widen, and interventions tailored to those communities may be abandoned. Commentators argue the effects could include reduced preventive care, less accurate data, and widening inequalities in disease prevention and treatment across vulnerable populations.

The World Health Organization has released new guidance aimed at preventing heat-related illness at mass gatherings. The recommendations are intended to help organisers of large events protect attendees as heatwaves become more frequent and severe. The publication outlines measures for identifying and managing heat risks at crowds of significant size.

Euronews reports that second-life electric vehicle batteries could serve as large-scale storage in Europe, capturing solar and wind power that would otherwise be curtailed or wasted. The piece frames retired car batteries as an underused resource for grid storage as renewable output grows. Discussion is circulating among energy and climate policy communities.

Scientists explain that the visual cortex suppresses image transmission during rapid eye movements, a phenomenon called saccadic masking, which prevents the blur of moving eyes from being perceived. The brain fills in the gap, meaning humans do not experience raw reality but a predictive, edited stream of consciousness. Commenters are sharing the fact widely, calling it a striking example of how much our perception is constructed rather than directly recorded.

An expert argues that proposed AI safeguards effectively 'build a moat' around leading US AI companies, shielding them from competition while preventing open-source models from advancing. The claim feeds into ongoing debate over how regulation of artificial intelligence affects innovation, market concentration and the future of freely available model development.