While Americans used to look to doctors and nurses for the final word on medical matters, that’s not always the case nowadays. Influenced by social media gurus and aided by digital tracking tools, the ‘worried well’ are taking a proactive approach to health that minimizes input from professionals.

Research shows that pregnancy can lead to social isolation in expectant mothers, especially for ethnic minority groups. Northern Territory health officials have started schemes that link pregnant women and nurses from the same ethnic groups, so they get support from those who've lived it.

With one in ten patients in the UK waiting more than three weeks for a GP appointment, some are trying alternative remedies and treatments to maintain their health. Canvas8 spoke to 20 Britons to understand their usage of complementary medicine and whether they thought such options are effective.

Social prescribing – wherein patients are told to try creative workshops, regular exercise, and volunteering to improve their wellbeing – has been around for years, but it’s gaining the attention of policy-makers. How can it proactively tackle physical and mental health problems?