Born to be Mild

15/10/2026

Ignaz Semmelwies (1 July 1818 – 13 August 1865) was a Hungarian doctor who first instituted the practice of regular hand washing and disinfecting before treating patients at Vienna General Hospital's First Obstetrical Clinic. Although the mortality rate for postpartum mothers fell from as high as 18% to between 1-2%, his theory of illnesses being passed by students with unclean hands was almost universally ridiculed when he first proposed it. Today we know that washing hands saves lives. Clean your hands - take action!

13/10/2026

We all know that our health improves in a healthier environment, for example less air pollution, clean drinking water, less noise pollution, and better access to nutritious and fresh foods. The environments which we inhabit are often vaster and more complex than we can imagine. Many species are highly specialized and are essential to their ecosystems. Christopher McFadden shares a list of 11 vital species, including bees, coral reefs, fungi, bats, earthworms, ants and sharks and sheds some light on why these species are so important.

https://interestingengineering.com/science/11-vital-species-we-need-to-save-the-planet

Photo credit: A. Tredoux

09/10/2026

The theme for 2026 National Nutrition Week (9-16 October) is "Creating environments that make healthy options easier". What simple swap can you make to improve your nutrition?

06/10/2026

Melissa Daimler writes: "Critical thinking starts with the capacity to hold multiple perspectives, tolerate ambiguity, and ask better questions. These are not skills that can be bullet-pointed. They’re built through the slow, effortful work of engaging with complex ideas that a reading practice forces us to practice."

This is exactly the skill that is impacted by overuse of digital media, especially when we get used to scrolling and skimming through information. When we read, we build the critical thinking skills of evaluating, questioning, and synthesizing. This includes reading fiction or non-fiction. When we read shorter articles or summaries, we miss out on the hard work of reading, getting through boring bits or more technical parts, and drawing conclusions.

What are you currently reading?

As AI accelerates work many leaders are losing the habit that builds judgment and depth. Reading remains essential for critical thinking.

08/09/2026

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops when the kidneys don't work the way they should. Healthy kidneys filter blood, remove waste, balance electrolytes, and help control blood pressure. Two major causes of CKD are poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure, however there are many other risk factors. See the article link below to find out more:

02/09/2026

2-6 September is National Kidney Awareness Month in South Africa. A meta-analysis which looked at studies across Africa around CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), found that about 14% of adults in Africa have CKD. In South Africa, it is estimated that between 6% and 17% of the adult population have some degree of permanent kidney impairment.

There are usually no noticeable symptoms in the early stages of CKD, but there are things everyone can do to look after their kidneys, including:

Exercise regularly
Follow a balanced diet
Quit smoking
Drink only in moderation
Stay hydrated
Monitor cholesterol levels
Stay updated with all vaccinations
Know your family medical history

It is also helpful to know the facts about CKD, to assess your risk and to know when to speak to a medical professional for further tests or advice.

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/6-step-guide-to-protecting-kidney-health

https://www.mrc.ac.za/news/population-prevalence-chronic-kidney-disease-among-adults-africa

Learn more about kidney disease, your risk, and how to prevent it.

27/08/2026

A new systemic review titled "Domain-specific physical activity levels and risk of dementia" found that leisure-time exercise was associated with a decreased risk of dementia. Steven Allder, a consultant neurologist, notes that this study was observational and we should be cautious about drawing direct correlations. However, he also says that the consistency of the results are worth paying attention to. Allder says: “Going for a walk with a friend, swimming, cycling or playing a sport can combine physical activity with social interaction, enjoyment and mental stimulation. These factors may reduce stress and social isolation, while helping to build what we think of as cognitive resilience, which is the brain’s ability to cope with age-related changes."

Physical activity for leisure, such as walking, cycling and swimming is linked to a lower dementia risk, while the opposite applies to physical exertion as part of one's job, new research shows.

20/08/2026

What is the deadliest animal on earth? The one who takes the most lives each year? Lion? Hippo? Rhinos? No, mosquitoes!

World Mosquito Day helps raise awareness about the ongoing threat of malaria and other diseases transmitted by these small insects. Mosquitoes have a huge impact on health around the world. If you are travelling to an area affected by malaria, please speak to your healthcare provider or see relevant information guides to prevent malaria.

19/08/2026

Researchers have long found that hobbies which involve exercise, arts and nature have multiple health benefits. In the UK, social prescriptions, referrals to activities typically involving movement, nature, art or service, are becoming more common. However, anyone can choose a new hobby or embark on a new adventure. Julia Hotz recommends thinking "about how you’re feeling now, and how you’d like to feel in the future" when you are choosing a new hobby. Hotz recommends four steps for picking a hobby that will improve your health and wellbeing: match your symptom to the science, ask yourself what matters to you, find activities that naturally capture your attention, and just say 'yes'.

What hobby have you found improves your health and wellbeing? What hobby would you like to try in the future?

From sea swimming to painting, doctors are ‘prescribing’ hobbies – but you don’t need a doctor’s note to get started

03/08/2026

A very early study (conducted in 2015 in the UK) claimed that e-ci******es were 95% safer or less harmful than traditional to***co products, including ci******es. Bear in mind, that va**ng in its current commercial form has only been around since 2003 when the first commercially available e-ci******es were sold in China, and then only sold in the USA and Europe between 2006-2007. Va**ng products were only introduced in South Africa in 2012. This statement, claiming that it is safer to v**e than to smoke has recently been doing the rounds once again, causing many to think that va**ng is harmless. However it is important to note the age of the study, other newer studies which have conducted research on the commercially available products, and the fact that although va**ng might be less harmful than traditional ci******es, they are NOT harmless. Many va**ng flavours include ni****ne, flavourings, vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. Some of these are safe to consume, but heating them changes their chemistry. Va**ng can also lead to addiction, especially among teenagers. To learn more about va**ng, see the article links below:

https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/08/03/the-95-safer-va**ng-claim-isnt-backed-by-science-says-lung-specialist?fbclid=IwY2xjawTdOi1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEemaohVh5jVJQsy_g-GgcU7iq__Lfj0rFUUA1x3O7_l04ATpi2bkStOzsiqpo_aem_2petui0n2Q9z4t7PBpyN6Q

https://cansa.org.za/is-va**ng-safer-than-smoking-why-this-may-not-be-the-case/

It makes sense that va**ng is seen as the so-called healthier alternative to smoking ci******es, as va**ng may reduce exposure to some of the toxic by-products of burning to***co. However, va**ng introduces its own mix of chemicals, ultra-fine particles, and ni****ne delivery systems that affect the...