Obesity advisory group disbanded by government

Panel's members criticised health secretary's decision to tackle obesity through 'responsibility deals' with food and drinks firms

124 Sure Start centres have closed since coalition took power

Education minister reveals figures that undermine prime minister's claim to be committed to reducing child poverty

Air pollution in Britain: state-sanctioned mass poisoning

John Vidal: Despite the devastating costs in terms of lives and damage to the economy, UK governments have failed to tackle air pollution

UK’s oesophageal cancer rate is worst in Europe

Cancer charity attributes Britain's poor global placing – equal with Rwanda – to high alcohol intake and growing obesity

We need a new model for maternity care, not blame for individuals

Response: Most midwives are deeply caring, but the system does not support them – or new mothers, says Sarah Davies

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