As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, a growing movement of medical and health science students is embracing “culinary medicine” and nutrition advocacy to help address the country’s rising burden of chronic disease.

Through the PAN University programme, led by the Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa (PAN South Africa), students across seven universities are learning practical nutrition skills, hosting health-focused campus events, and advocating for healthier food environments within their institutions and future healthcare systems.

The Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa (PAN South Africa) has appointed Dr Heinrich Volmink as its new Chief Operating Offi cer.

Based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, the medical doctor, public health medicine specialist and former Member of Parliament, brings experience across clinical care, health policy and global health leadership to the organisation at a time when non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain one of the most pressing public health challenges.

Africa’s health systems are under increasing strain as the continent faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), climate-related pressures on food systems, and widening inequalities in accessing nutritious food. These challenges are deeply interconnected, yet often addressed in isolation, highlighting the need for more integrated, prevention-focused approaches to health.

As Africa marks World Health Day (07 April), Global Public Health Week (6-10 April) and World Earth Day (22 April), the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa is calling for urgent, science-based action to position nutrition at the centre of health systems, food systems, and climate resilience across the continent.

On World Obesity Day 2026, under the global theme “8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity,” the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa is calling for urgent national action to rethink the food systems and policies that are driving South Africa’s obesity crisis.

On the eve of World Diabetes Day (14 November) and the 2025 Diabetes Summit, healthcare professionals from across South Africa gathered in Johannesburg for an extraordinary pre-summit experience, a “Food is Medicine” Cooking Workshop that turned the science of diabetes care into a vibrant, hands-on culinary journey.

What happens when chefs, doctors, and dietitians step into the same kitchen? Ahead of World Diabetes Day (14 November) and the 2025 Diabetes Summit, healthcare professionals in Gauteng are swapping lab coats for aprons to discover how flavour can fight diabetes.

As South Africa joins the world in marking World Heart Day, health experts are sounding the alarm about the country’s escalating cardiovascular disease (CVD) crisis, and pointing to evidence-based solutions rooted in nutrition, traditional indigenous foods, and a healthy lifestyle.

Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, and foods that shape South Africa’s identity. But while many communities celebrate through song, dance, and meals, there is a deeper story to tell: our indigenous foods hold untapped potential in tackling the rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

The Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa (PAN South Africa) is proud to join the Good Life Show 2025 as a key supporting partner and participant, with a mission to equip both healthcare professionals and the public with the latest evidence on how plant-forward diets can prevent, manage, and treat lifestyle-related diseases.

The Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa (PAN South Africa) is proud to join the Good Life Show 2025 as a key supporting partner and participant, with a mission to equip both healthcare professionals and the public with the latest evidence on how plant-forward diets can prevent, manage, and treat lifestyle-related diseases.

With South Africa grappling with rising rates of lifestyle diseases, now is the time to rethink our plates as the foundation of our health. February marks National Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, culminating in National Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day on 21 February.