Please find below a list of news items from the last 3 weeks which may be of interest to those involved in Public Health on the morning of Tuesday 10 March 2009. This news update service is provided to local public health teams in collaboration with three other library services in Hampshire, Oxon and Bucks. Please contact me if you no longer wish to receive this bulletin, or if you know of anyone else who would like to join the mailing list.
Child health MHRA issues new advice and restrictions for use of over-the-counter children’s cough and cold medicines The advice states that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines should not be used in children under 6 years, as there is no evidence that they work, and they can cause side-effects such as allergic reactions, effects on sleep, and hallucinations. For 6 to 12 year olds these medicines will continue to be available but will only be sold in pharmacies, with clearer advice on the packaging and from the pharmacist. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLMArea/News/2009---March/02/MHRA-issues-new-advice-and-restrictions-for-use-of-over-thecounter-childrens-cough-and-cold-medicines/ TV and asthma risk “Children who spend more than two hours a day in front of the television in early childhood are twice as likely to develop asthma as those out playing,” The Daily Telegraph reported. The newspaper said that scientists who carried out the study believe it to be the first suggested link between the condition and a “couch potato lifestyle at a young age”. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/03March/Pages/TVandasthmarisk.aspx
Chronic diseases Enzyme behind cancer spread found Scientists say they have identified an enzyme that helps cancer spread around the body. Cancer metastasis, where the cancer spreads from its original location, is known to be responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7813072.stm Global cancer prevention policy report published The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/ American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has published a Policy Report – „Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention‟ – which sets out changes that can be made at all levels of society to reduce the number of cancer cases. The report includes estimates of the proportion of cancer cases that could be prevented through diet, physical activity and weight management. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLMArea/News/2009---February/27/Global-cancer-prevention-policy-report-published/ Cancer risk of drinking “A drink a day increases cancer risk” BBC news has said. Several other news sources have reported the findings of a large study that suggests that having just one alcoholic drink a day, whether it be wine, spirits or beer, “causes an extra 7,000 cancer cases – mostly breast cancer – in UK women each year”. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/02February/Pages/Alcoholcancerrisk.aspx Breast cancer screening A group of health professionals has said that women are not being warned of the risks associated with routine breast cancer screening, with many tests ending in unnecessary treatment. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/02February/Pages/Breastcancerscreening.aspx
2009 Annual Evidence Update on Prostate cancer http://www.library.nhs.uk/CANCER/ViewResource.aspx?resID=307744&tabID=289 Diabetes drugs given ‘too soon’ One in three people with type 2 diabetes are given medication too soon, instead of being urged to eat better and do more exercise, a study suggests. A study of 650 people in south west England found 36% were put on tablets within a month of being diagnosed, a Diabetes UK conference heard. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7930007.stm Napping ‘increases type 2 risk’ Taking regular lunchtime siestas could increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to research. The study of 16,480 people, found those who napped were 26% more likely to get the condition than those who did not. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7931508.stm National diabetes audit: key findings about the quality of care for people with diabetes in England and Wales. Executive summary for the audit period 2006/07 http://www.library.nhs.uk/DIABETES/ViewResource.aspx?resID=307734 2009 Annual Evidence Update on Chest Pain http://www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular/viewResource.aspx?resid=305729
Communicable diseases vCJD abnormal prion protein found in a patient with haemophilia at post mortem Evidence of infection with the agent (abnormal prion protein) that causes variant CreutzfeldtJakob Disease (vCJD) has been found at post mortem in the spleen of a person with haemophilia. The patient, who was over 70 years old, died of a condition unrelated to vCJD See more: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebContentAreaLanding/Page/115382262386 9 The use of antiviral drugs in treatment and prevention of influenza no longer indicated this season The Director of Immunisation Policy, Monitoring and Surveillance at the Department of Health has issued a letter to healthcare professionals providing an update on the use of antivirals during influenza season 2008/9. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009--March/06/Use-of-antiviral-drugs-in-treatment-and-prevention-of-influenza-no-longer-indicatedthis-season/
Diet & nutrition Diets weighed up “Low carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins, do not work any better than old fashioned calorie counting,” The Daily Telegraph reported. The newspaper said that researchers have found that diets in which starchy foods like potatoes and pasta are restricted work no better than diets that have no carbohydrate restrictions. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/02February/Pages/Dietsweighedup.aspx Vegetarians and birth defects “Women who are strict vegetarians or vegans may be at greater risk of having a child with birth
defects,” The Daily Telegraph has reported, saying that a lack of vitamin B12 appeared to be responsible. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/03March/Pages/B12BirthDefects.aspx Statistics for England (February 2009) on obesity, physical activity and diet The NHS Information Centre has issued its third report on obesity, physical activity and diet in England. For the first time, the report provides information on attitudes towards and knowledge about leading a healthy lifestyle for both adults and children. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---February/26/Statistics-for-EnglandFebruary-2009-on-obesity-physical-activity-and-diet/
Health promotion Call for First Aid in curriculum First aid should be a compulsory part of the school curriculum, St John Ambulance has urged ministers. The charity carried out a survey of more than 1,500 school children, of whom seven out of 10 said they would not know how to help in an emergency. First aid is a mandatory subject for Welsh and Northern Irish pupils, but in English and Scottish schools it is an optional part of the curriculum. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7929751.stm
Health protection MHRA press release: No evidence of any risk to UK children over meningitis vaccine The MHRA have issued a press release to reassure the public that there is currently no evidence of any risk to UK children, and there have been no reports of any infections following vaccination. The two batches sent to the UK passed all the normal tests to ensure the safety, quality and effectiveness of the product before leaving the manufacturing site in Italy. They were transported by road to the UK; whereas the samples that tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when they reached the US had been transported by air, and thus been subject to air pressure changes (it is not known as yet whether this was responsible for the loss of sterility). See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---February/27/MHRA-pressrelease-No-evidence-of-any-risk-to-UK-children-over-meningitis-vaccine/ NPSA report on vaccine administration errors in children The NPSA has published its quarterly reports on patient safety incidents received from NHS staff. The publication specifically highlights issues relating to vaccination. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---February/24/NPSA-report-on-vaccineadministration-errors-in-children/
Mental health Oily fish dementia boost queried A UK study has cast doubt on claims that eating oily fish can protect against dementia in old age. Data from a trial of more than 800 older people initially showed that those who eat plenty of oily fish seem to have better cognitive function. But factors such as education and mood explained most of the link. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7929071.stm Cash for ‘recession depression’ The government is to devote funds to assist people who develop mental health problems because of the recession. An extra £13m has been allocated for therapy services in England to help identify those who might be suffering from depression due to the downturn. Support workers
will help those who have lost their jobs and suffer from depression and anxiety return to work. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7930906.stm Strained marriages ‘harm women’ Women are more likely than men to suffer damage to their health from being in a strained marriage, research suggests. US psychologists found wives in tense marriages were prone to risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7925360.stm
Physical activity Middle age ‘key for exercising’ Increasing activity levels in middle age can prolong life as much as giving up smoking, a study suggests. Swedish researchers from Uppsala University monitored more than 2,200 men from the age of 50. They found those who increased activity levels from 50 to 60 ended up living as long as those who were already exercising regularly by middle age. See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7924615.stm
Sexual health Contraceptives advice tool now available on line E-Health Insider reports that NHS Direct has launched an online contraceptive advice tool. The aim of the Contraception Checker (linked below) is to deal with enquiries about emergency contraception, missed contraceptive pills, dislodged contraceptive devices, interactions with other medicines or failed contraceptives. The web based tool has adapted protocols used by NHS Direct call centres to assess patients over the telephone. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---February/20/Contraceptives-advice-toolnow-available-online/
Smoking Smoking, class and sex “Smoking kills regardless of class,” BBC online has reported. The website says that a new study has shown that “being female or rich offers no defence against the ill heath caused by smoking”. The study followed 15,000 people from Scotland over a 28-year period, comparing gender, class, smoking habits and survival rates. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/02February/Pages/Smokingwealthsex.aspx
Substance addiction & misuse TalktoFRANK launches SMS service To complement the existing FRANK helpline channels, a new SMS service has been launched, allowing young people to access real-time drug information and advice by texting their questions to 82111. The service utilises 75 fully trained drugs advisors able to handle both situational and more fact-based queries, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---March/06/TalktoFRANK-launches-SMSservice-/ NTA report – substance misuse among young people 2007/8 This report from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse summarises the data for
2007/08 regarding the number of young people aged <18 years receiving specialist support for drug and alcohol misuse. It includes information about the different types of interventions and the context in which these young people misuse substances. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---March/04/NTA-report--substance-misuseamong-young-people-20072008/ ACMD report on the primary prevention of hepatitis C among injecting drug users The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has published its report on the primary prevention of hepatitis C among injecting drug users. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---February/26/ACMD-report-on-the-primaryprevention-of-hepatitis-C-among-injecting-drug-users/ Does TV influence drinking? “People are more likely to turn to alcohol while watching TV if they see drinking being portrayed in films or adverts,” BBC News has reported. See more: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/03March/Pages/TVContentAndDrinking.aspx fpa welcomes further Government funding for Speakeasy course fpa welcomes new funding of £530K from the Department of Children, Schools and Families to continue the excellent work of its national Speakeasy project. Speakeasy is a free course giving parents and carers the information and skills needed to talk to their children about sex and relationships. See more: http://www.fpa.org.uk/News/Press/Pressreleases2009/23February2009 Women’s health Women’s compliance with nutrition and lifestyle recommendations before pregnancy: general population cohort study According to the results of a prospective cohort study conducted in the UK, only a small proportion of women planning a pregnancy follow the recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle. See more: http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/News/2009---March/06/Womens-compliancewith-nutrition-and-lifestyle-recommendations-before-pregnancy-general-population-cohort-study/
Workplace health Management of work-related stress in the public services sector 2009/10 To inform inspectors of the planned stress work in the public services sector for 2009/2010. This will focus on assessing the progress made by selected Public Sector organisations to proactively manage the risk of work-related stress. See more: http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/sectors/public/070902.htm HSE launches new website to prevent work-related stress HSE unveils a new stress website that will help businesses prevent work-related stress. See more: http://news.hse.gov.uk/2009/02/26/hse-launches-new-website-to-prevent-work-relatedstress/#more-5983 Local news: Berks Fifty per cent of tanning salons tested would allow 15-year-old to use a sunbed Bracknell Forest Council will be encouraging tanning salons to implement under-16 age restrictions, after half of those tested were willing to give a 15-year-old girl unrestricted access to
a sunbed. See more: http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news-andevents/news.htm?itemid=63104 Cycle your way to a healthier lifestyle CTC and Reading Borough Council are encouraging residents to get on their bikes and cycle their way to health. Thanks to a joint initiative between the Council's Sport Reading Development Team and National Cyclists' Organisation CTC, a 10-week cycling course will take place at Palmer Park Sports Stadium, Wokingham Road, starting on March 19th. See more: http://www.reading.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/PressArticle.asp?id=SX9452-A783E103 National pilot to encourage West Berkshire secondary school pupils to get walking The scheme has been organised in partnership with national charity Living Streets through their Step Up project. It is designed around a code-breaking challenge where plastic grids are positioned at key locations on route to the school. Students are then issued with special record cards which, when placed over the grids, reveal a letter. The grids are changed twice a week for 5 weeks and once the pupils have all ten words then they can complete the challenge. See more: http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16089