FGM affects three times more people in the US than previously thought Campaigners call for action to deal with ‘state of emergency’ as figures show more than 500,000 US women are living with or at risk from consequences
Republicans hope latest anti-Obamacare bill will be first to reach president’s desk Decision to hold another seemingly meaningless vote comes ahead of more serious threat to the Act – the supreme court’s hearing of King v Burwell case
‘Smear for smear’ campaign leaves many uncomfortable Vicki Jamieson: The ‘smear for smear’ campaign, even if well intentioned, is misguided
Blood money: is it wrong to pay donors? In some countries, people get paid for giving blood. And in the UK, we have to buy in plasma. Judith Harvey worries that safety may be compromised when money changes hands
Guidelines on chickenpox and shingles for pregnant women updated Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists advises pregnant women who have not had chickenpox to avoid those with the virus
Farage says UK will have to consider NHS funded by private insurance Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s comments to BBC reignite 2012 row caused by him saying healthcare should be market-funded
As Sussan Ley tries to patch the cuts to Medicare, the question is: why? If the health minister takes a good look at Medicare she’ll find it’s not bleeding profusely after all
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
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
Doctors call for tougher laws on alcohol abuse to tackle liver disease crisis The UK is the only country in western Europe except Finland where liver disease has increased over the past three decades