Life expectancy shows a growing north-south divide

Men in London can live up to 14 years longer than their Glaswegian counterparts, according to ONS figures, putting the latter on a par with life expectancy in Albania and Palestine

£20bn NHS cuts are hitting patients, Guardian investigation reveals

David Cameron and Andrew Lansley say patients should not suffer from 'efficency savings'. The facts reveal a different story

Jamie Oliver brands Andrew Lansley obesity plan as ‘patronising rubbish’

Health secretary sets out 'national ambition' to cut 5bn calories a day from Britons' daily diet

This obesity strategy is a cop out

Jamie Oliver: The government's obesity strategy is worthless, patronising rubbish. Eight-year-olds would come up with better ideas

HPV jab: doctors call for teenage girls to be given more effective vaccine against sexual disease

Pressure increases on ministers to provide genital warts innoculation to girls from age 12

Midwives warn further cuts will put women’s safety at risk

Maternity units, already under-staffed and over-stretched, expect further job losses, Royal College of Midwives survey finds

Gay men who use a condom should not face delays giving blood

Peter Tatchell: Although the new donor policy is a big improvement on the existing lifetime exclusion, a 12-month ban is still excessive

McDonald’s calorie counts count for nothing

The fast food chain will display dietary information as part of a wider drive to inform consumers about the foods they eat. But isn't this just for show, asks Mark King

Abortion services aren’t about selling soap powder or shoes

Susie Orbach: Nadine Dorries's amendment to the health and social care bill is an attempt to situate women's sexuality in the marketplace

NHS plans will mean putting wealthy first, says doctors’ leader

Hospitals will be forced to treat wealthy foreigners to raise cash, rather than treat poor patients, says BMA's Hamish Meldrum