Vogue will no longer use anorexic models - but will this change our perception of the female body?

This week 19 Vogue editors released a joint statement saying that they would ban the use of models who look like they could be anorexic, as well as models under the age of 16. But the question remains as to whether haute couture is the most arena with the most impact when it comes to idealising underweight women.

Is the coil safer than the morning after pill?

Emergency contraception has caused controversy all over the world, and in many countries is it still a highly stigmatised topic. The negative connotations associated with going to the doctor after having unprotected sex prompted some local governments to offer over-the-counter emergency contraception to girls under the age of 16, causing public outrage.

Refusing medical treatment can never be justified

The results of an online survey have shown that a staggering 54% of doctors agree with the principle of refusing medical treatment to smokers and obese people. The basis for the proposal is that the potential benefits of treating these patients are outweighed by the likelihood that the procedures will be ineffective due to their lifestyle.

Can airplane innovation really avoid jet lag?

This week airplane fanatics in the UK rejoiced as a landmark plane landed on British soil. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first aircraft which is fuel efficient as well as being created with specific technology designed to combat jet lag. The plane incorporates larger windows, higher ceilings and wider aisles. It will also benefit from cleaner air which, according to the manufacturer Boeing, will help passengers to avoid jet lag.

Avoidable diabetes will bankrupt the NHS

Diabetes may ‘bankrupt’ the NHS within 20 years, according to a new study which was released today in the Diabetic Medicine journal. Treating diabetes-related conditions currently costs £9.8 billion, 10% of the entire NHS budget and it is set to rise to 17% within the next 25 years. The most shocking part of the report, however, was that four fifths of this money was spent on avoidable complications which can arise if the disease is not treated correctly or...

Governments should not legislate against contraception

Attitudes towards contraception are relatively neutral in the UK. I would suspect few of the younger generations have ever thought about the moral or religious implications of birth control pills unless it is in the context of feminist rhetoric or philosophical pondering.

How can a stroke "turn" you gay?

Around 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK each year and a third of them will suffer from severe life changes such as a disability. However, some of the changes people experience can be to their personality and even sexuality, in the case of Chris Birch.

Lack of sleep can cause us to gain weight

Most people would love to fall asleep for eight hours every night, but with hectic lifestyles and long working hours it can be difficult to make sure that you get the right amount of rest every day, even if you are aware of the negative consequences of sleep deprivation.

Is high blood pressure avoidable?

New figures released yesterday by the charity Diabetes UK have shown that just 50% of people with diabetes are meeting their targets when it comes to their blood pressure. The organisation is worried that after a patient has been diagnosed with the disease, not enough is being done in order to reduce the risks of complications.

Government crusade is not the way to end smoking

The increase in price on tobacco products announced last week as part of the new budget seems to be just the beginning of an anti-smoking crusade launched by the new government. The latest tactic involves a media campaign warning about the dangers of second-hand smoke.