Being Mortal review – a surgeon’s view of how we should end our days

Doctor and New Yorker writer Atul Gawande argues that we should focus less on prolonging life and more on making it meaningful, writes Geraldine Bedell

Put calorie labels on beer, wine and spirits, say public health experts

Alcoholic drinks are fuelling obesity epidemic and most have no idea how many calories their drinks contain

Is the government wrong about giving children the nasal spray flu vaccine?

Dr Luisa Dillner: Vaccines are, on the whole, extremely good things. But – despite government support for this one – the evidence for giving it is not as strong as it should be

Can we solve Britain’s obesity crisis with gastric surgery? It worked for me

Emma Burnell: Of course prevention is preferable, but when that fails we need a second chance. Like Jenni Murray, I felt my health was at risk

Schizophrenia need not be a life sentence, but treatment is falling short

Laura Sherlock's medication lets her live with the condition. But charity says too few sufferers receive the best help available

Conservative judges are ganging up to steal your affordable healthcare

Scott Lemieux: Want evidence that Republicans have allies on the bench? Look no further than the Bush appointees who hate Obamacare

Advising women with depression about having children isn’t babying them

Hannah Jane Parkinson: Doctors are being advised to speak to women with depression about pregnancy risks. This is not intrusive – it's necessary guidance

It could save my children, but I don’t want to know

Jon Butterworth: What do particle physics and medical screening have in common? And why might we want to be tested, but not hear the result?

Jeremy Hunt calls for end to cosmetic surgery on NHS

Health secretary says public money should not be spent to improve someone's looks

A third of first-time mothers suffer depressive symptoms, research finds

Australian study also suggests more women are depressed when their child turns four than at any time before that