Health

Healthy Diet May Delay Onset of Menstruation, Study Finds

Published

3 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

A healthy diet may help delay the onset of menstruation in young girls, potentially reducing their risk of several health issues later in life, according to new research published in the journal Human Reproduction.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in the U.S., followed over 7,500 girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to explore the link between dietary habits and the timing of their first menstrual periods. Girls who adhered to the healthiest diets were found to be 16% less likely to experience early menstruation compared to those with the poorest dietary habits.

In contrast, girls who consumed the most inflammatory foods — such as processed meats, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates — were 15% more likely to begin menstruating at an earlier age. These results were independent of body size, reinforcing the impact of diet quality regardless of a child’s weight or height.

“These findings demonstrate the importance of a healthy diet regardless of body size,” said Dr. Holly Harris, lead author of the study and associate professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. “This is particularly relevant as early menstruation has been associated with long-term health risks including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer.”

Typically, girls begin puberty between the ages of 8 and 13, with menstruation occurring roughly two years after breast development. However, a trend toward earlier onset of puberty has raised concerns among health professionals, especially given its links to chronic illnesses in adulthood.

While the study highlights a possible role for diet in influencing menstrual timing, some experts have cautioned against drawing firm conclusions. Dr. Imogen Roger, a research fellow at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, noted that the data may reflect “reverse causation” — suggesting that the timing of puberty itself might influence dietary choices, rather than the reverse.

“Diet was assessed close to the time of menarche for many of the girls,” Roger told Euronews Health. “We know that diet quality can decline during adolescence, so the association may not be entirely one-way.”

Nonetheless, researchers agree that ensuring children have access to nutritious foods — particularly during the crucial developmental window around puberty — is vital. Harris emphasized the importance of school meal programmes grounded in evidence-based nutrition.

“This research reinforces the need for equitable access to healthy meals for all children and adolescents, especially through school-based initiatives,” she said.

Health

Europe Faces Growing Challenges in Meeting Medical Care Needs, EU Report Shows

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2025

Web Reporter

A new report has highlighted stark disparities in healthcare access across Europe, revealing that a growing number of citizens face unmet medical needs due to systemic issues such as high costs and long waiting times.

According to the latest data from Eurostat and the Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report, 3.8 per cent of EU residents aged 16 and over reported unmet medical needs in the past year. However, the percentage climbs significantly when focusing solely on individuals who actively required healthcare services — with some countries reporting unmet needs among over 20 per cent of this group.

The causes are twofold: healthcare system barriers, including long waiting lists and treatment costs, account for 2.4 per cent of all cases, while 1.4 per cent stem from personal reasons such as fear of doctors, lack of time, or lack of knowledge about available care.

Unmet healthcare needs vary widely across the continent. Estonia tops the list within the EU, with 15.5 per cent of people reporting unmet needs, followed closely by Greece and Albania, each over 13 per cent. Even wealthier Nordic countries show surprising figures — Denmark (12.2 per cent), Finland, and Norway (over 7.5 per cent) — despite high healthcare spending. Conversely, countries such as Germany (0.5 per cent), Austria (1.3 per cent), and the Netherlands (1.4 per cent) report the lowest levels, pointing to more efficient and accessible healthcare systems.

Cost is a dominant barrier in nations like Greece and Albania, where over 9 per cent of citizens cited unaffordable care. In contrast, long waiting times are the primary issue in countries like Estonia (12 per cent) and Finland (7.5 per cent).

Income inequality also plays a major role. On average, 3.8 per cent of low-income individuals across the EU report unmet needs due to healthcare system issues — more than triple the 1.2 per cent reported by higher-income groups. In Greece, that gap is particularly wide, with 23 per cent of low-income respondents affected.

Healthcare experts say these disparities reflect more than just economic factors. Dr. Tit Albreht, President of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), noted, “Unmet health needs arise from different reasons, including how well healthcare governance integrates services to meet population needs.”

Industry leaders, such as Tina Taube of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), stressed the importance of timely access to diagnosis and treatment. “Unmet needs are context-specific,” she said. “It’s not just about product availability, but also healthcare system readiness.”

Andy Powrie-Smith of EFPIA added that patients in some European countries wait up to seven times longer than others for the same treatments due to regulatory delays and varying national infrastructures.

The findings underscore the need for a more coordinated, equitable healthcare strategy across the continent, especially as Europe faces the challenges of an ageing population and increasingly complex medical technologies.

Health

Chinese Nationals Charged in U.S. with Smuggling Toxic Fungus Labeled a Potential Agroterrorism Threat

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2025

Web Reporter

U.S. federal authorities have charged two Chinese nationals in connection with smuggling a dangerous agricultural fungus into the country, a move investigators describe as posing significant national security risks.

Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are accused of conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud after allegedly attempting to bring Fusarium graminearum — a toxic fungus capable of devastating crops and harming humans and livestock — into the United States. The case was detailed in a court filing by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Detroit.

The fungus, which targets essential food staples like wheat, maize, barley, and rice, is described in a scientific journal cited by the FBI as a “potential agroterrorism weapon.” Experts warn that its spread could inflict serious damage on global food security and agricultural economies.

U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are of the gravest national security concerns.”

Jian made her first appearance in a Detroit federal court on Tuesday and remains in custody awaiting a bond hearing scheduled for Thursday. A court-appointed attorney for her initial appearance declined to comment.

According to the FBI’s complaint, the investigation began in July 2024 when Liu was stopped at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. During a routine screening, customs officials discovered suspicious red plant material in his backpack. Liu initially claimed not to know what it was but later admitted he planned to use it for research purposes at the University of Michigan, where Jian is currently employed and where Liu previously worked.

Authorities say Liu’s mobile phone contained an article titled “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions,” raising further concerns about the intended use of the samples. The FBI believes the two individuals were coordinating to introduce the pathogen into a U.S. research setting without proper clearance or oversight.

Liu was denied entry to the U.S. and deported in July. Charges against both individuals were filed this week, as prosecutors continue to investigate the scope of the alleged conspiracy.

The case underscores growing concerns in the U.S. over biosecurity and potential misuse of scientific research amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Health

US Expands Measles Vaccination Guidance Amid Global Surge in Cases

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2025

Web Reporter

U.S. health officials have expanded their vaccination guidance for international travellers as measles cases rise sharply around the world, including in Europe and the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all international travellers be vaccinated against measles, regardless of their destination. Previously, the CDC’s focus was on countries experiencing known outbreaks, but this latest update reflects growing concern over transmission during travel itself.

“This change is significant,” said Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, a health researcher at George Washington University’s School of Nursing. “We’re seeing a shift from localised outbreaks to transmission in transit. Measles is now being spread not only in outbreak zones but also on airplanes and during international travel.”

The updated guidance urges U.S. travellers aged 1 year and older to receive two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before departing the country. Infants between 6 and 11 months old should receive an early dose, aligning with recommendations from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which has also advised travellers to ensure they are fully vaccinated.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Even brief exposure in confined spaces—such as airports or airplanes—can result in infection, particularly among unvaccinated individuals.

The CDC’s change comes amid a troubling global resurgence of measles. So far in 2025, more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported across the U.S., while the European Union has logged over 5,500 cases. Health officials have attributed many of the new infections to gaps in immunisation, often exacerbated by misinformation and pandemic-related disruptions to routine childhood vaccinations.

In the U.S., a recent outbreak in Colorado was traced back to an international flight that landed in Denver, underscoring the risks of in-flight transmission and the importance of proactive immunisation.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but periodic outbreaks have occurred in recent years, often linked to unvaccinated travellers bringing the virus back from abroad.

Public health experts stress that maintaining high vaccination coverage is key to preventing further spread. The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing lifelong protection in most individuals after two doses.

“Given the rise in global travel and measles cases, the updated CDC guidance is a timely reminder that vaccination remains one of our strongest tools to protect public health,” Darcy-Mahoney said.