More than half of hospitals in England rated substandard by health regulator

The Care Quality Commission also evaluated 68% of hospitals in London as ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’

Births among women over 50 rise 15% in England, figures show

Births to older mothers have increased in recent years alongside average ages for childbirth and IVF treatment

Sweet and sour: how slavery, fake science and the love of profit got Britain hooked on sugar

Doctors have been warning of the health risks from sugar for almost 400 years. Here’s how we still ended up consuming so much of it

Nearly half of American adults faced medical bill issues in last year – survey

High-income Americans also almost as likely to defer healthcare over cost as people with low or average incomes in other countries

The experts: Cardiologists on 20 simple, successful steps to a healthy heart

Our hearts are muscles and need proper fuel and rest. Here is how to keep yours on top form – from avoiding cocaine to watching your cholesterol

‘Any embarrassment is in your head!’: How hearing aids boost your health and happiness

There is still a stigma around hearing tests and hearing loss – even though excellent help is now at hand. It could just change your life

Should I worry that my hot drink will give me cancer?

How hot should a hot drink be? And is it time to dilute your herbal tea with some cold water?

A home help for eight days after giving birth? Why Dutch maternity care is the envy of the world

Everyone who gives birth in the Netherlands has the legal right to a kraamzorg to help with everything from breastfeeding to laundry. How do these new mums find it?

Tell us: is your health insurance in the US too expensive to use?

We would like to speak to people in the US about medical debt and those with high deductible health plans

My grandmother’s support – and Creole cooking – helped me to love myself when I didn’t know how

When I felt lonely growing up, my grandmother’s company and cuisine were a soothing balm