The grieving parents of a young boy who died following an unexpectedly severe asthma attack have spoken publicly to warn other parents about the disease.

Scientists have found that people who inherit two copies of a particular DNA variant show the biological signs of being about eight years "older" than people of the same age who carry neither genetic variant.

Millions of people who strive to keep fit by jogging, swimming or going to the gym are wasting their time, scientists say.

A controversial reasearch paper was withdrawn as a result of a preliminary verdict that the authors had acted 'dishonestly' and 'irresponsibly'.

Just under 50 per cent of Maori women smoke, compared to 20 per cent for the whole population aged 15 to 64.

The Ministry of Health has given the clearest signal yet that the Government is likely to increase the tax on cigarettes to help slash the number of people who smoke.

More Kiwis are using the internet for medical advice, but doctors say self-diagnosis often causes people to worry needlessly.

One person is dead and four others have fallen ill in a recent spate of cases of Legionnaires' Disease, which officials blame on potting mix.

A study of NZers shows kids who suffer psychological or social adversity are at greater risk of suffering long-lasting health problems.

Ground-breaking research into improving the condition of kidneys for transplantation has earned a young NZ doctor a top scholarship.

Farmers' $1 million donation to the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation has a personal connection for the firm's owners.

John Key last night voiced fears that the death toll in tsunami stricken Samoa could rise even higher with the outbreak of disease.

The number of patients in New Zealand hospitals attacked by "flesh-eating" bugs has trebled since 1990.