New Study Reveals Alarming Link Between Environment and Women's Health
The study, which included over 280,000 women, found that exposure to fine particles emitted from vehicle exhaust is associated with higher breast tissue density — a well-known factor that significantly raises the risk of cancer. Women with dense breast tissue may face up to six times greater risk of developing the disease.
This is the first study to establish such a strong connection between air pollution and breast tissue density, with a particular focus on fine diesel particles. These pollutants are already linked to asthma, heart disease, and dementia, and are now also associated with a heightened risk of breast cancer.
Estimates suggest that air pollution contributes to around 40,000 deaths annually in the UK, and it may also play a role in some of the 11,400 annual breast cancer-related deaths. These findings open new avenues for understanding the environmental impact on women's health.
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Ya Biladi
6 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Diaspo #396 : Dr. Ahmed Chekairi's mission to expand community healthcare in Morocco
In the bustling corridors of London's top private hospitals, Dr. Ahmed Chekairi is a familiar figure. A seasoned anaesthetist with over two decades of experience in the UK, he is also the founder of an ambitious primary care initiative reshaping community healthcare in Morocco. But before all this, the Khouribga-native was just a young medical student with a dream, one that would take him far beyond Morocco's borders. Ahmed, who later lived in the Atlas Mountains and then in Mohammedia, began medical school at Hassan II University in Casablanca in 1987. After completing his training at Ibn Rochd Hospital, he made a pivotal decision: to pursue his postgraduate studies not in France or Belgium, as many of his peers did, but in the UK, specifically in London. That choice was sparked by a summer trip he took during his second year of medical school. «During the summer holidays in my second year of medical school, I visited London and stopped by University College Hospital, where I ended up in one of the oldest libraries in the world», he recalled. «That's when I decided that I wanted to do my training there». A plan not just a dream Determined to make it happen, he turned that dream into a plan. «I began learning English. I spent part of my university grant on language lessons and never missed a session for five years», he said. «When I completed my degree, I took the UK exams, unaware at the time that my diploma wasn't recognized. Luckily, just before I graduated, Prince Charles visited Morocco and the UK officially recognized our medical doctorates», he shared with Yabiladi. That recognition paved the way. In 1996, Ahmed moved to the UK. A year later, he passed the conversion exam. «I took the exam, which covered both medicine and English, and I think I was the first Moroccan to take it», he proudly recalled. Dr. Chekairi's early years in the UK were full of both excitement and challenge. «The UK system was very different. At first, you applied for short-term posts in various departments. It was flexible and allowed you to test what suited you best. I appreciated that». After rotations in emergency medicine in Scotland and Manchester, he settled into anaesthesia and intensive care, training for seven years at Oxford University Hospitals. «When it came to anaesthesia and postgraduate training, I was likely also the first Moroccan to complete the entire program in Oxford». For 25 years, Dr. Chekairi worked in the National Health Service (NHS), the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom, serving in hospitals across Northampton, Winchester, and Manchester, and holding leadership, education, and research roles. «All my training and work were in the NHS», he said. In 2008, he became a hospital consultant after earning a master's degree in management. «Being a hospital consultant meant juggling many responsibilities», he admitted. For Better Health Eventually, his focus shifted. In 2022, he left the NHS to dedicate himself fully to his private practice and a growing vision: transforming healthcare delivery in Morocco. That vision is For Better Health (FBH), a company he founded in 2018. Initially a training and consultancy venture, FBH supported Moroccan institutions like Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, the International University of Rabat, and OFPPT. «But uptake was limited. So I told my team: if we can't do it through others, let's do it ourselves», he explained. In 2024, he launched FBH's first medical centre in Mohammedia, offering integrated care based on UK standards. «It's probably the first UK-standard medical centre in Morocco focused entirely on family medicine and primary care». For Dr. Chekairi, this model is more than a business, it's a necessity. «In the UK, it is an obligation for a citizen to be registered with a family doctor. It's not just a right, it's a requirement. That's the backbone of the healthcare system», he noted. «You need a system with controls. Things that can be done near home should be done there. It's more convenient and economical. Hospitals are expensive and overcrowded», he continued. Community healthcare access The FBH centre currently employs 15 people and offers a wide range of services, from consultations, blood tests, ultrasounds, ECG, day hospital services to treatment for minor procedures like stitches or asthma attacks. Dr. Chekairi's plan is to replicate the model across the country. «Our goal is to expand to urban and rural areas. Casablanca is our hub, but we want to reach places like Azilal or Tinghir», he hoped. Affordability is also central to his mission. «I would love for people not to have to pay, but all the investment came from my daughter's money. So yes, we are private, but we provide discounts through associations, and many received free care during our first months». Public health outreach is a major part of FBH's mission. «We've worked to promote measles vaccination, encouraged women to follow up on pregnancies and screenings. We've held 35 health awareness sessions so far», Dr. Chekairi shared. The FBH model is fully digital and paperless. Patients receive a lifelong health file and generic prescriptions to reduce costs. «We're ahead of the curve, and we believe the Ministry will eventually mandate these practices». He still commutes between London and Morocco, balancing advanced surgical care in the UK with community health efforts in his home country. «In the UK, I care for one patient at a time. In Morocco, I try to impact an entire community. That contrast keeps me going», he explained. Now in the final stretch of his career, Dr. Chekairi is fully focused on leaving behind a lasting healthcare legacy in Morocco. «All the experience I've gained over the years — I'm investing it now in this project. It's likely the last major thing I'll do in my professional life».
Ya Biladi
14 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Diaspo #396 : Dr. Ahmed Chekairi's mission to expand community healthcare in Morocco
In the bustling corridors of London's top private hospitals, Dr. Ahmed Chekairi is a familiar figure. A seasoned anaesthetist with over two decades of experience in the UK, he is also the founder of an ambitious primary care initiative reshaping community healthcare in Morocco. But before all this, the Khouribga-native was just a young medical student with a dream, one that would take him far beyond Morocco's borders. Ahmed, who later lived in the Atlas Mountains and then in Mohammedia, began medical school at Hassan II University in Casablanca in 1987. After completing his training at Ibn Rochd Hospital, he made a pivotal decision: to pursue his postgraduate studies not in France or Belgium, as many of his peers did, but in the UK, specifically in London. That choice was sparked by a summer trip he took during his second year of medical school. «During the summer holidays in my second year of medical school, I visited London and stopped by University College Hospital, where I ended up in one of the oldest libraries in the world», he recalled. «That's when I decided that I wanted to do my training there». A plan not just a dream Determined to make it happen, he turned that dream into a plan. «I began learning English. I spent part of my university grant on language lessons and never missed a session for five years», he said. «When I completed my degree, I took the UK exams, unaware at the time that my diploma wasn't recognized. Luckily, just before I graduated, Prince Charles visited Morocco and the UK officially recognized our medical doctorates», he shared with Yabiladi. That recognition paved the way. In 1996, Ahmed moved to the UK. A year later, he passed the conversion exam. «I took the exam, which covered both medicine and English, and I think I was the first Moroccan to take it», he proudly recalled. Dr. Chekairi's early years in the UK were full of both excitement and challenge. «The UK system was very different. At first, you applied for short-term posts in various departments. It was flexible and allowed you to test what suited you best. I appreciated that». After rotations in emergency medicine in Scotland and Manchester, he settled into anaesthesia and intensive care, training for seven years at Oxford University Hospitals. «When it came to anaesthesia and postgraduate training, I was likely also the first Moroccan to complete the entire program in Oxford». For 25 years, Dr. Chekairi worked in the National Health Service (NHS), the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom, serving in hospitals across Northampton, Winchester, and Manchester, and holding leadership, education, and research roles. «All my training and work were in the NHS», he said. In 2008, he became a hospital consultant after earning a master's degree in management. «Being a hospital consultant meant juggling many responsibilities», he admitted. For Better Health Eventually, his focus shifted. In 2022, he left the NHS to dedicate himself fully to his private practice and a growing vision: transforming healthcare delivery in Morocco. That vision is For Better Health (FBH), a company he founded in 2018. Initially a training and consultancy venture, FBH supported Moroccan institutions like Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, the International University of Rabat, and OFPPT. «But uptake was limited. So I told my team: if we can't do it through others, let's do it ourselves», he explained. In 2024, he launched FBH's first medical centre in Mohammedia, offering integrated care based on UK standards. «It's probably the first UK-standard medical centre in Morocco focused entirely on family medicine and primary care». For Dr. Chekairi, this model is more than a business, it's a necessity. «In the UK, it is an obligation for a citizen to be registered with a family doctor. It's not just a right, it's a requirement. That's the backbone of the healthcare system», he noted. «You need a system with controls. Things that can be done near home should be done there. It's more convenient and economical. Hospitals are expensive and overcrowded», he continued. Community healthcare access The FBH centre currently employs 15 people and offers a wide range of services, from consultations, blood tests, ultrasounds, ECG, day hospital services to treatment for minor procedures like stitches or asthma attacks. Dr. Chekairi's plan is to replicate the model across the country. «Our goal is to expand to urban and rural areas. Casablanca is our hub, but we want to reach places like Azilal or Tinghir», he hoped. Affordability is also central to his mission. «I would love for people not to have to pay, but all the investment came from my daughter's money. So yes, we are private, but we provide discounts through associations, and many received free care during our first months». Public health outreach is a major part of FBH's mission. «We've worked to promote measles vaccination, encouraged women to follow up on pregnancies and screenings. We've held 35 health awareness sessions so far», Dr. Chekairi shared. The FBH model is fully digital and paperless. Patients receive a lifelong health file and generic prescriptions to reduce costs. «We're ahead of the curve, and we believe the Ministry will eventually mandate these practices». He still commutes between London and Morocco, balancing advanced surgical care in the UK with community health efforts in his home country. «In the UK, I care for one patient at a time. In Morocco, I try to impact an entire community. That contrast keeps me going», he explained. Now in the final stretch of his career, Dr. Chekairi is fully focused on leaving behind a lasting healthcare legacy in Morocco. «All the experience I've gained over the years — I'm investing it now in this project. It's likely the last major thing I'll do in my professional life».
Ya Biladi
21 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
New study reveals ancient Egypt's genetic ties to Morocco's Neolithic population
Until now, genetic models used to trace the origins of ancient Egyptian populations have largely focused on connections with the Eastern Mediterranean or the Levant. But a new study could challenge those assumptions. A team of researchers from Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and France has identified a strong ancestral link with Neolithic populations of the Western Mediterranean, specifically from present-day Morocco, which accounts for 77.6% of the genetic origin. Published on July 2, 2025, in the journal Nature, the findings are based on the genome sequencing of a well-preserved burial in the Nuwayrat necropolis in Middle Egypt, near the village of Beni Hasan, 265 km south of Cairo. The analysis revealed that the remaining 20% of the individual's ancestry traces back to the eastern Fertile Crescent, including early agricultural societies of Mesopotamia. This genetic affinity is similar to that found in Neolithic and Bronze Age populations in Anatolia and the Levant, the researchers note. Burial conditions suggest that the individual belonged to the elite social class of the time. While more genomes need to be analyzed to better understand the genetic diversity of early Egypt, the findings suggest that links with the Fertile Crescent extended beyond material culture, such as domesticated animals, plants, or writing systems, and included human migration. «One possible explanation for the successful whole-genome retrieval is the pot burial, which may have favoured a degree of DNA preservation not previously reported in Egypt», the study states. This contributes to the road map for future research to obtain ancient DNA from Egypt. North Africa's Role in Egypt's Origins This research reinforces the idea that North Africa may have played a more significant role in the origins of ancient Egypt than previously thought. Ancient Egyptian civilization flourished for millennia, peaking during the dynastic period (circa 3150–30 BC). Notably, this coincides with the existence of an agricultural society in Morocco, dated between 3400 and 2900 BC, the first such complex in Africa outside the Nile Valley. This suggests that Neolithic North Africa may have played a central role in the region's history. Until now, poor DNA preservation in the Nile Valley has limited understanding of Egypt's genetic and regional connections. In this study, researchers succeeded in sequencing the full genome, at 2x coverage, of an adult male buried in Nuwayrat. Radiocarbon dating places the remains between 2855 and 2570 BCE, a period that spans the early dynastic era and the Old Kingdom. The man's body was buried inside a ceramic pot placed in a rock-cut tomb, a burial practice typically reserved for individuals of higher status, as seen in elite burials of the same period near the royal necropolis of Memphis. Opening New Research Frontiers Although the study is based on a single genome and may not reflect the broader population, the data reveal ancestral ties with older North African populations and those from the eastern Fertile Crescent. «Analyses of dental traits and craniometrics of the Nuwayrat individual, as well as in previous morphological studies based on full samples», the researchers explain. These findings add to the evidence of cultural diffusion from the eastern Fertile Crescent, particularly in plant and animal domestication and social organization. They also suggest the possibility of human migrations to Egypt during these early periods. «The Nuwayrat genome also allowed us to investigate the Bronze Age roots of ancestry in later Egypt, highlighting the interplay between population movement and continuity in the region», the study concludes. Looking ahead, sequencing more ancient genomes could deepen our understanding of Egypt's early population structure, its connections with the rest of Africa, and the broader patterns of intracontinental migration. For now, this research broadens the historical lens—inviting a more nuanced exploration of ancient Egyptian identity and its African roots.
