With the help of scientists, indigenous communities of Suriname have discovered that mercury pollution affects 58% of their population.

Indigenous women have a higher risk of bad health than those from other poor or urban communities, says a study in Honduras.

Egyptian scientists are developing a diabetes treatment from bitter gourd, but the jury is out on whether it could replace insulin.

The only manufacturer of benzonidazol, a drug for Chagas disease, is failing to meet the demand, affecting patient’s access to therapy.

There are research gaps in assessing whether clean cookstoves have the desired health effects, say researchers.

Although the number of deaths from non-infectious disease is on the increase, the rate of mortality is going down, say some experts.

The discovery of six new genes for a common form of diabetes among South Asians could offer clues for better treatment.

Most neglected diseases are in retreat in Brazil and remaining challenges include reducing caesarean sections and non-infectious diseases.

African nations have signed the Brazzaville Declaration, urging the use of IT to tackle non-communicable diseases.

Doctors could face a moral dilemma in Africa as treating pregnant women for worm infections may increase their baby's allergy risk.

A rising trend in the incidence of stomach cancers in India's Kashmir province is causing concern to scientists.

A study suggests that girls from a Mexican mining town may have a low intelligence quotient because of their environmental exposure to manganese.

Colombia has become the first country in Latin America to launch an on-line course on the prevention of obesity and overweight, which affects 46% of its population.

Text and voice messages will be used to support the self care of Chileans with type 2 diabetes and mothers-to-be in Peru.

Field trials of GM bananas rich in iron and vitamin A have gone well, but several more years of research and regulation lie ahead.

As supplies of Nicosan, the Nigerian sickle cell drug, run dry, patients are growing desperate for production to resume.

An easy-to-use test to predict risk of type 2 diabetes in Vietnam could be used in other developing regions, said scientists.

A fifth of deaths in Bangladesh are caused, or hastened, by long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water, a study has found.

US$37 million will be spent on genomics in Africa, just as critics are asking when genomics will deliver its promised health benefits.

By observing simple rules on digging wells and pumping water for irrigation it is possible to avoid arsenic poisoning.