Failure of contraceptive implants sets back battle against teen pregnancies

Bad press surrounding 584 cases in which women trusting in Implanon implants fell pregnant is a blow to family-planning advisers

Flu surge alarms doctors as virus hits children

Number of recorded cases this season doubles as fears grow of swine flu resurgence

A third of children leaving primary school are overweight, report reveals

The number of pupils classified as obese is also rising, new NHS statistics show

We need to involve girls in decisions about their health

The government's plans to improve public health include strengthening local engagement in decisions, but it will have to work hard to allow young people to participate meaningfully

Aspirin a day helps to keep cancer at bay, say scientists

Low-dose of drug has powerful preventive action against a range of cancers, study shows

Letting the food industry shape policy will ruin a century of progress

Response: Initiatives must be led by science if we are to bring the obesity epidemic under control, says Joe Millward

Smokers should not be forced out of hospitals

There should be more controlled smoking zones, argues Richard White

Don’t treat those in extreme, long-term pain as junkies

Sue Marsh: Doctors are right to be wary of drug addiction, but patients suffering extreme pain are being denied relief

Actually, Mr Cameron, happiness is not being asked if we are happy

AL Kennedy: The prime minister's happiness index is yet another example of benighted coalition thinking

Midwife staff cuts put women giving birth at risk

The combination of staff cuts, a 19% increase in births and more complex pregnancies has put maternity units under pressure