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Expat parents in the UAE are concerned about a new bill that may require all expat children to be put in school. If expat children are found not to be enrolled at school, expats face losing their residency permits. State schools in the UAE have resources for children with minor learning difficulties, there are far […]

Recent studies have suggested babies can differentiate between the sounds of their native language and a foreign language at only a few hours old. The results indicate babies begin absorbing language while still in the womb, earlier than previously thought. Sensory mechanisms for hearing develop at around 30 weeks in the womb. The study shows […]

As an expat family abroad, smartphone apps and interactive websites can provide a wealth of information on health and well-being. No language barriers, tricky paperwork or waiting rooms, the rise of the health app has made daily healthcare advice and tips available to everyone. Here are some of the best for general family health. Restaurant […]

In order to make birth control more accessible, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) last week recommended it should be available over the counter (OTC). The contraceptive pill and other forms of hormonal contraception are currently only available with a prescription. One of the major benefits of more readily available birth control would […]

Thanksgiving is one of America’s biggest annual holidays and marks the start of the holiday season. Many expats will have already made plans to travel home or receive loved ones at some point over the Christmas period. Health experts are urging families to use these gatherings to discuss family medical histories. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, […]

According the recently released HSBC Expat Explorer survey, Hong Kong is the healthiest place to raise children. The Raising Children Abroad league table asks expat parents about various aspects of raising children abroad. The health categories include; safety, spending more time outdoors, watching less TV, playing more sports, eating less junk food and spending less […]

There is a lot of advice around on how to help your children adjust to moving abroad. Schooling, making friends, leaving family behind, learning a new language etc. But, what happens when you decide to move back home? Repatriation, or returning home, can be a struggle for children, especially those who feel closer to their […]

A special report has researched the issues of nationality and migration and their effects on children’s health. The new study explores the ties between childhood weight problems, socioeconomic status, and nationality. It found race, ethnicity, and immigrant status are risk factors for weight problems among children in the US and England. The study, Migrant Youths […]

According to a recent international study, reading the labels on food is linked to obesity prevention, particularly in women. Data from the U.S. shows women who routinely read nutritional information weigh four kilograms less than women who don’t read the information. The data was taken from the annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). This information would […]

According to new data, transmission rates for measles continues to be low in Europe. The report, from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), shows no new large outbreaks since the last report. In the 12 months (June 2011- May 2012) a total of 12,594 cases were reported. France, Romania, Spain and Italy accounted […]

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