| Public Health Europe
and the regions
Latest on Our region our
health and Europe: Maximising opportunities to improve health
in Yorkshire and the Humber
Organised by Sheffield Healthy Partnership Team on behalf
of Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Public Health Group
held at Sheffield Town Hall 15 September 2005
QOF
data released to public
Aggregated QOF data has been released showing prevalence of
(1) QOF points achieved by PCT and (2) common chronic diseases
by SHA.
Type
2 diabetes guidelines
NICE calls for stakeholder registration for Type 2 diabetes guidelines (review)
Diabetes
in pregnancy guidelines
NICE issues scope consultation documents for diabetes in pregnancy guidelines
Tackling
Health Inequalities: Status Report on the Programme for Action
was published on 11th August 2005.
The status report provides a review of developments against
the data since the publication of the Programme for Action
in 2003. It considers progress against the Public Service
Agreement (PSA) target, the national headline indicators and
against government commitments. The report highlights the
challenging nature of the health inequalities PSA target for
2010.
Health
trainers for disadvantaged areas
Twelve areas have been named as the first sites for the new health trainers, an initiative announced in the Choosing Health White Paper. These areas will each receive £200,000 additional funding to provide personalised plans for individuals to improve their health and prevent diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease.
Healthcare
Commission Star Ratings
The Healthcare Commission publishes the annual star ratings
of performance for NHS trusts in England. Overall the ratings
show an improvement in the performance of the NHS against
tougher waiting time targets for outpatient appointments and
operations, as well as lower death rates for cancer and heart
disease.
Press Realease
Making
the case for health equity audit
It is one of a series of ‘Making the case’ briefings which
aim to increase understanding of the impact of social,
economic and environmental influences on health and
health inequalities, and to promote effective action. The
briefings are targeted at primary care trusts (PCTs) and
local authorities working together through local strategic
partnerships (LSPs)
Health
Statistics Quarterly released
In this issue there are new
statistics on conceptions in England and Wales in 2003 and
the causes of deaths registered in England and Wales in 2004.
Articles featured are: sex differences in mortality, a comparison
of the United Kingdom and other developed countries; a review
of sources and methods to monitor Healthy Life Expectancy;
and issues arising from a pilot resulting from the Shipman
Inquiry's interim proposals on death certification.
Teenage
conception statistics released
New teenage conception statistics released by ONS
today. These include under 16 statistics for 2003 for England,
and 2001-03 u16 data for regions and SHAs. More detailed under
18 data for 2003 are also provided.
Birth
and death rate statistics 2004
The Office for National Statistics has published birth and
death rate figures for 2004.
A&E
attendances and stop smoking services statistics
The Department of Health has published
statistics on A&E attendances and stop smoking services.
Cancer
statistics 2002
The Office for
National Statistics has published cancer statistics for 2002,
including incidence, mortality and survival rates.
Obesity
among children under 11
This report presents key information for 1995 to 2003 on obesity
among children aged under 11 living in England. Results and
analysis are based on data from the Health Survey for England
reports published in December 2003
Air quality indicators published
–air quality in 2004 returned to the low-pollution levels
of recent years following last year's peaks caused by the
summer heat-wave, according to latest estimates. Defra's provisional
annual Air Quality Headline Indicator shows that in 2004 there
was an average of 22 days of moderate or higher air pollution
in urban areas and 41 days in rural areas. Urban pollution
is back down to the low levels experienced in 2000-2002, consistent
with the long-term downward trend. Rural pollution is a bit
higher than in 2000-2002, although annual fluctuations reflect
the variability in levels of ozone which is the main cause
of pollution in rural areas. www.defra.gov.uk
Diabetes
As a result of discussions facilitated by Dr Sue Roberts, DH National
Clinical Director for Diabetes, it has been agreed that both NCASP
(National Clinical Audit Support Programme), Diabetes UK and Diabetes-E
will adopt the PBS Diabetes Population Prevalence Model as the preferred
model to predict diabetes prevalence. A working group has been established
to develop Phase II of the model for completion in Spring 2005. Contact: Lorraine
Oldridge lo5@york.ac.uk
Regional Indicator Programme
A programme of reports has now been agreed between the Association of
Public Health Observatories, the Regional Directors of Public Health
and the CMO. A report on risk factors/wider determinants will be available
shortly and the next report (Spring 2005) will focus on ethnicity and
health. Further information from the APHO website www.apho.org.uk
Census
News
The latest Census news is now available. This includes information on
the following:
- Key statistics for 2004 wards in England and Wales
- Census results for Super Output Areas available on the
Neighbourhood Statistics Service website
Click on this link for more details http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/census_news.htm
SEPHO
Healthy lifestyle survey toolkit
The South East Public Health Observatory has launched a healthy
lifestyle toolkit. This site has been developed by SEPHO and Information
By Design to provide an electronic toolkit to assist users to conduct
health and lifestyle surveys. It contains;
- Practical information on how to conduct a Lifestyle Survey
- Some theory, mostly for those who have little previous
experience of survey research
- A resource bank, containing many examples of Lifestyle
Surveys conducted across the UK
- A question bank, giving examples of numerous Health and
Lifestyle Surveys conducted.
In the next stage of development of the toolkit, the intention
is to develop a 'model' lifestyle survey questionnaire to assist
users. This Toolkit is an evolving resource and will be updated
it with new information and new resources over the next three
years. To assist SEPHO in this, they would welcome your feedback
on the Toolkit.
Health Poverty Index
The Health Poverty Index was trailed in the White Paper and launched
on the 21st November. The Department of Health jointly commissioned
the South East Public Health Observatory and the Social Disadvantage
Research Centre at the University of Oxford to develop a Health Poverty
Index (hpi) as proposed in the NHS Plan (2000). The hpi is a web-based
visualisation tool which provides a single visual summary of an area's
situation of 'health poverty' in reference to the rest of England.
It therefore captures the extent of inequalities in the determinants
of health and health outcomes across England. See www.hpi.org.uk for
further details.
2003
based long term sub-national population projections
2003 based long term sub-national population projections were published
by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today (25 November 2004).
They project forward the mid 2003 population estimates to give an indication
of future trends in population by age and sex for the next 25 years from
2004 to 2028. These data are available for Strategic Health Authorities
and local authorities but not Primary Care Organisations (PCOs)
The projections are fully consistent with the 2003 mid year
population estimates published on 9 September 2004 and with
the revised back series of mid year population estimates published
on 7 October 2004. They are constrained at a national level
by the 2003 National Population Projections. published by the
Government Actuary's Department on 30 September 2004.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=997
Blood
pressure drug 'not effective'?
The drug atenolol reduces blood pressure but is no better than placebo
at reducing heart attacks or death reported four newspapers on 5 November
2004. These are the findings of a thorough review of all clinical trials
of atenolol used as a single drug to treat high blood pressure.
08 November 2004
'Vaccine
for lung cancer'
A trial of a vaccine for lung cancer has shown very promising results,
reported two newspapers on 2 November 2004. It is not possible to comment
on the reliability of these findings, as insufficient information is
available.
05 November 2004
'Vaccine
to beat cervical cancer'
Cervical cancer could soon be virtually eradicated by a new vaccine reported
the Daily Mail on Friday 29 October 2004. The research on which this
report is based has yet to be published.
05 November 2004
Does
the oral contraceptive pill reduce the risk of heart disease
and cancer?
Women who take the contraceptive pill have a reduced risk of developing
heart disease and cancer, reported four newspapers on 22 October 2004.
The newspaper articles accurately reported results from the Women's Health
Initiative study. However, lack of study details means that the reliability
of the conclusions cannot be assessed.
27 October 2004
Doctor's
doubt on all-clear for MMR and autism link
The Daily Mail reported on 11 October 2004 that the findings of a recent
study have raised fresh doubts over claims that the MMR vaccine does
not cause autism in children. This study had several important limitations
that undermined the strength of the authors' conclusions.
27 October 2004
Testosterone
patch boosts sex drive in older women
Testosterone patches boost the sex drive of postmenopausal women, reported
three newspapers on 21 October 2004. The articles were based on a conference
presentation of a randomised trial of testosterone compared to placebo
in naturally menopausal women. The newspapers reported the conference
abstract accurately, but details of the trial are missing.
27 October 2004
IVF
and breast cancer
IVF is not linked to an increase in breast cancer, reported three newspapers
on 20 October 2004. The newspaper reports appear to be based on an abstract
of a systematic review. Insufficient details are available to fully assess
the reliability of the findings.
27 October 2004
Does
HRT increase life expectancy in younger women?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases life expectancy in women
under the age of 60 years, reported four newspapers on 19 October 2004.
The newspapers accurately reported the results from a well-conducted
systematic review, however more research is needed to confirm these findings.
20 October 2004
'Malaria
vaccine 'within reach''
A vaccine against malaria could be produced within five to ten years,
reported six newspapers on 15 October 2004 . The reports were based on
a large well-conducted randomised controlled trial and related commentary
although long term safety and efficacy data are not yet available. The
newspapers accurately reported the findings of the trial.
18 October 2004
'Stroke
alert over breast cancer drug'
Women taking tamoxifen run a significantly higher risk of stroke, reported
the Daily Mail on 12 October 2004. The newspaper accurately reported
that the absolute risk of suffering a stroke while using the drug was
quite small. The authors themselves state that the study results must
be interpreted with caution.
13 October 2004
'Scientists
find way to 'turn off' cancer'
Scientists have found a way to 'turn off' a gene that makes cancerous
cells lethal, reported three newspapers on 11 October 2004. The study
in question found that antibiotics could be used to block cancer growth
in mice with genetically modified liver cells. The findings cannot at
present be applied to people.
12 October 2004
Corticosteroids
and risk of death after head injury
Corticosteroids given after a serious head injury increased the risk
of death reported three newspaper articles on 8 October 2004. The newspapers
accurately reported the results from a well-conducted randomised controlled
trial.
11 October 2004
HRT
and risk of venous thrombosis
An HRT drug could cause fatal blood clots, reported two newspapers on
6 October 2004. The newspapers accurately reported the conclusions from
a large well-conducted clinical trial, although overall, only 2% of the
women taking HRT developed venous thrombosis.
07 October 2004
Vitamins
and their effects on gastrointestinal cancer and death
Vitamins don't help prevent cancer but might increase the number of deaths,
reported seven newspapers on 1 October 2004 . A review of the effects
of vitamins and selenium supplements found no beneficial effects on cancer
rates. Preliminary findings on mortality suggested a possible harmful
effect, but further research is required.
04 October 2004
'The
herbal lifeline'
Folk remedies really can fight cancer, diabetes and infection reported
three newspapers . Laboratory tests on extracts of plants used in traditional
Chinese, Indian, Thai and Ghanaian medicine showed potential anti-cancer,
anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. None of the
extracts have been scientifically tested in humans.
01 October 2004
|
News