Can painkillers make you homophobic or racist?

The ex-Ukip candidate Kerry Smith claimed that he made offensive remarks due to stress and the fact that he was taking strong sedatives. So should pharmaceutical companies issue new side-effects warnings, asks Emine Saner

Seven ways to end loneliness

Laura Ferguson: As Christmas approaches, not everyone will be among loved ones but individuals and authorities can all do their bit to help

Muna Hassan: ‘One of us mentioned vaginas and Michael Gove went really red!’

The young anti-FGM campaigner who told David Cameron to ‘grow a pair’ has helped to get the issue on the political agenda this year, writes Corinne Jones

Sit in the corner: Nigel Farage’s tips for mothers breastfeeding in public

Ukip leader backs Claridge’s hotel in row over mother asked to hide her baby under a napkin and urges women to ‘be discreet’

FGM: UK plan to require professionals to report suspected cases

Charities welcome government move but say heavy-handed mandatory reporting could drive practice further underground

How to avoid more gastric surgery? Five ways we can change our health culture

Sarah Boseley: Prevention is key to limiting the impact of widespread obesity on the NHS, which is why we need a wholesale change in attitude

It’s class, not whether a baby is breastfed, that determines life chances

Eliane Glaser: Paying working-class women to breastfeed doesn’t address the reasons for their choice, or the economic factors that are really driving inequality

NHS trusts chasing private patients at expense of waiting lists, warns Labour

Call for cap on private income to be reintroduced amid fears some NHS hospitals are prioritising paying customers

London Olympics borough is the most physically inactive in England

Nearly 40% of people in Newham take no exercise at all, suggesting Games failed to inspire people to take part in sport

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