Public Health issues

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition, affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women. It commonly presents with pelvic pain, painful periods, and infertility and can significantly have an impact on one's quality of life. Early exploration into the pathophysiology of this condition identified race as a risk factor for endometriosis, with the condition predominantly identified in white women. It is still unclear whether there is a biological basis for this conviction or whether it can be explained by methodological and social bias that existed in the literature at that time...

Maternal deaths associated with caesarean deliveries (CDs) have been increasing in South Africa over the past decade. The objective of this report is to bring national attention to this increasing epidemic of maternal deaths due to bleeding associated with CD in the majority of provinces of the country. Individual chart reviews of women who died from bleeding at or after CD show that 71% had avoidable factors. Among the steps we can take are to improve surgical skills and experience, especially in rural hospitals, to improve clinical observations in the immediate postoperative period and in the postnatal wards, and to ensure that appropriate oxytocic agents are given to prevent postpartum haemorrhage...

The Global Report on Urban Health: Equitable, Healthier Cities for Sustainable Development, issued in March 2016 by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), emphasises the need for enhanced governance and leadership to achieve universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Noting that a healthy population forms the foundation for 'sustainable economic growth, social stability, and full realisation of human potential', the report presents 'practical, proven solutions for working across sectors to tackle these … health challenges', and includes examples of such successes in South Africa...