Archive: Public Health

Budget 2016: Osborne's sugar tax is another punishment on the poor

Only in a country with no sense of class-consciousness could anyone support this hectoring, punitive attack on the poor

A vision for improving the health of the public

The Academy of Medical Sciences’ latest report, ‘Improving the health of the public by 2040’, explores how the UK’s research environment needs to adapt to meet the complex health challenges we will face in the future.
Health of the public in 2040

The Academy of Medical Sciences’ latest report, ‘Improving the health of the public by 2040’, explores how the UK’s research environment needs to adapt to meet the complex health challenges we will face in the future.
ESRC: A picture of health in schools

Feeling comfortable and confident in sport, health, or PE can be very difficult for some young people who can be seen as a 'risk' of becoming obese. Young people from ethnic minorities, especially girls, are more likely to be physically inactive and unhealthy.

Comment: The real NHS crisis no politician dares talk about

Who wants to be the sanctimonious killjoy who tells voters to get off their backsides?
Why did Lord Darzi pull out of an anti-smoking debate?

The man who wants a health revolution in Britain is unwilling to engage with his critics

Park smoking ban shows how tragically anti-smoking movement lost its way

While e-cigarettes wean millions off cigarettes, anti-smoking campaigners are lost in a symbolic world of bans and fines
Comment: Gluttons for punishment deserve a sin tax on meat

An excise tax on meat, eggs and dairy products will help put taxpayers suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other health problems on the road to recovery.

Comment: If we don't act now, obesity will overcome the NHS

Obesity will become a £50 billion a year problem within 30 years – and in the meantime, it could bankrupt the NHS
MMR jab or else: Cruddas alarms Labour with benefit claimant policy threat

Labour is distancing itself from a proposal by the party's policy review chief Jon Cruddas that benefit claimants could be forced to give their children the MMR vaccination - or face losing their payouts.

UK 'not ready' for national health emergency

Serious question-marks about who would be in charge in the event of a national health emergency are hanging over the UK, MPs have warned.
The Political Week Online: Scrooges vs Scroungers?

BREAKING: Labour have a policy. A whole one. Not a mouldy one they've peeled out from the bottom pages of an old manifesto and shoved into the microwave, or an indignant criticism of a Conservative policy.

UK's schizophrenia sufferers 'frightened and desperate'

Britain's psychotics and schizophrenia sufferers are frightened "far too much of the time" and need more support, an MP has said.
Gove 'ignored independent advice' to back playing field sell-offs

Ministers have been left red-faced after it emerged the government had got its figures wrong on the number of playing fields sold off under the coalition.

Playing fields rule change anger after Olympics

The coalition's decision to abandon rules ensuring outdoor space per school pupil is coming under fire from campaigners after the Olympics.
Comment: Without action, the obesity bill will just keep rising

GPs must do more than monitor Britain's growing obesity problem.

MPs demand booze guidelines rethink

Government alcohol guidelines should be revised to recommend two dry days every week, MPs have said.
Comment: Taxing meat can solve our ballooning obesity crisis

Promoting plant-based eating would give us another possible chance at slimming down and enjoying good health.

Comment: We've got to close the health gap

It looks like Labour's anti-poverty agenda before the crash was a heroic effort at running up a down escalator.
MPs doubtful over public health commitment

Plans to create a new body overseeing public health in England will only succeed if the organisation is able to "speak truth unto power", MPs have said.

Report documents 'persecution' of smokers

Smokers are a new persecuted minority, according to a new report by privacy campaigners.
Lansley 'responsible for swine flu deaths'

Andrew Lansley is responsible for the increase in deaths from swine flu last winter, Labour has said.

Morning-after pill free in Welsh pharmacies

The morning-after pill will now be offered for free in pharmacies across Wales.
Children 'targets' of alcohol advertising

Proposed legislation ensuring that alcohol advertising should not be targeted at children has been backed by medical experts.

Govt 'must combat' spiralling food prices

The government has failed to lay out a plan to tackle spiralling food prices, a report has said.
Alcohol policy in disarray as health groups pull out on eve of report

The government's claims of having secured a deal with the alcohol industry were in disarray today after health groups pulled out.

Govt delays cigarette display ban on No Smoking Day

The government has delayed the implementation of a point-of-sale display ban but pushed ahead with plain packaging proposals.
Cold turkey: Drug addicts may face benefit sanctions

Drug addicts who refuse government support will face losing some of their benefits, under new government plans.