The NIHP and other public health functions
Sets out the government’s plans for protecting and improving the public’s health, including the creation of the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP).
Click here to access the policy paper.
Category: Public Health
Public health
Keeping up to date with current awareness
Commission on Alcohol Harm
King’s Fund
This Commission was set up by alcohol health experts and parliamentarians to examine the full extent of alcohol harm across the UK. In this, its final report, the Commission outlines recommendations for reducing harm and calls for a national strategy for alcohol. More detail here.
Suicide risk in young people who self-harm and visit emergency departments.
The Mental Elf; 2020
(Katerina Kavalidou reviews a prospective observational cohort study on mortality and suicide risk in young people after they present to hospital emergency departments following episodes of self-harm.)
COVID-19 surveillance in school KIDs (sKIDs): pre and primary schools.
Public Health England (PHE); 2020
(A report on the preliminary results of the COVID-19 testing and antibody prevalence surveillance in schools programme, colloquially known as sKIDs. Prospective active national surveillance of preschools and primary schools for SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in England, June 2020. The report concludes that SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission rates were low in preschool and primary schools under surveillance during the summer.)
Calorie reduction: guidelines for the food industry.
Public Health England (PHE); 2020.
(A technical report outlining guidelines for industry, 2017 baseline calorie levels and next steps. This report sets out the calorie reduction ambitions for all food industry sectors, including: the approach to calorie reduction and reformulation; the different ambitions set across food industry sectors recognising that more action is required in the eating out, takeaway and delivery sectors; food products included in the categories; baseline figures for the different food sectors.)
Making a support bubble with another household.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); 2020.
(How you can safely expand the group of people you have close contact with during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Published 9 September 2020.)
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Mental Health Campaign
Every Mind Matters campaign launched
Public Health England have launched a new campaign – Every Mind Matters, to support the well being of children, young people and their carers. The Covid pandemic has impacted everyone and research shows that children are more anxious, worried and lonely than ever before. These new stresses could cause harm to the mental health of the young generation.
This new advice supports parents and carers to recognise signs that their child may be struggling with their mental health and provides support to help them maintain good quality well being.
Public Health Updates
Keeping up to date with current awareness
Cycling to work lowers risk of illness and death compared to driving.
NIHR Evidence; 2020.
(People who cycle to work are at lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and death than those who drive. This is seen across all occupational groups and suggests that cycling to work could benefit people from all economic backgrounds. If fewer people are able to travel by public transport due to social distancing, measures to make cycling easier and safer could improve the nation’s health.)
Lung health checks in supermarket car parks reach older smokers in deprived communities.
NIHR Evidence; 2020.
( Tests carried out on mobile units parked in supermarket car parks were a popular and effective way to check the lungs of at-risk current and former smokers in a study in Manchester.)
Statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers on schools and childcare reopening.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); 2020.
(Statement from the Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on the evidence of risks and benefits to health from schools and childcare settings reopening. 23 August.)
Drinking in the dark: alcohol labelling is failing consumers.
Alcohol Change UK; 2020.
(In this study we reviewed a random sample of 424 alcohol containers on shop shelves in October 2019 to assess whether labels included the UK’s Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) low-risk drinking guidelines and other essential pieces of information that would allow consumers to make informed choices.)
Recovering from COVID-19: Post viral-fatigue and conserving energy.
Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT); 2020.
(Rehabilitation is fast becoming the new priority in dealing with the impact of this pandemic and is crucial for people recovering from COVID-19 infection. We’ve published three guides to support people to manage post-viral fatigue and conserve their energy as they recover from COVID-19. These guides are endorsed by the Intensive Care Society.)
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The dangers of heatwaves
Heatwaves – a double ended sword
Although we have all been enjoying the glorious sunshine, the rise in temperature not only causes sun burn to your skin, but it can also harm our mental health.
Hotter temperatures increase the level of the stress hormone- cortisol and there’s also evidence that our bodies produce more adrenaline and testosterone in warmer temperatures, which can make people more aggressive and make violent behaviour more likely.
Those with dementia or other serious mental illnesses are also more at risk due to their limited ability of elf care. Certain psychiatric medications can also inhibit temperature regulation, making dangerous heatstroke more likely.
So remember, if the temperatures continue to rise, try to make the time to reach out to the vulnerable and ill and… keep yourself cool!
To find out more or have your say click here.
Staying safe while travelling abroad
Keep up to date with health risks of your destination
The government has recently made changes to its travel policies, with the requirement to self isolate for 14 days being lifted for certain countries. Remember the current advice is to avoid all but essential international travel, however these countries are exempt from this advice.
Click here for advice and guidance about what to pack, what to do when you arrive at your destination and what you need to do on return to the UK.
Centre for mental health
Local authorities and public mental health
In order to stay healthy and avoid serious distress we need to place emphasis on our mental wellbeing to prevent mental health problems. What better way to do this, than to work together and collaborate different strategies and initiatives?
Local authorities play a key role in improving mental health in their communities, to bring people together and reduce inequalities. A recent report written with the Local Government Association, argues that people’s mental wellbeing will play a crucial role in every aspect of recovery planning, including schools reopening, workers returning from furlough, people who have been shielding, and in dealing with the economic and housing consequences of coronavirus (Covid-19).
The report highlighted 4 common principles:
- Public mental health is everyone’s business
- Collaboration
- Place-based approaches
- Taking a holistic approach
It concludes that a national focus is needed on helping everyone stay mentally well, backed up by funding for councils.
To read the full report click here.
Greenspaces
Compelling evidence shows that access to greenspaces really matters for our health
Now more than ever we are becoming more dependent on outdoor spaces to improve our health and wellbeing. Green environments are associated with reduced levels of depression, anxiety and fatigue and can enhance quality of life for both children and adults.
Access to good quality greenspaces, such as parks, allotments, woodlands and fields varies greatly on where we live. However, evidence suggests that the most economically deprived areas often have less available public greenspace, meaning people in those communities have fewer opportunities to reap the rewards.
The new report from PHE offers policy, practice and research recommendations. Click here to find out more.
Better health
A new national campaign has launched to support people to loose weight
With current data showing that obese people are significantly more likely to become seriously ill and be admitted to intensive care with serious illnesses including COVID-19 -compared to those with a healthy BMI- the campaign encourages adults to introduce healthier lifestyle changes to help people achieve a healthy weight. Support has been identified to eat better, drink less alcohol and get active through access to a range of apps including; Easy Meals, Food Scanner, Couch to 5k and Active 10.
The campaign has partnered up with a range of partners offering exclusive discounts including:
- one month free membership with WW and Weight Watchers Reimagined
- £2o discount for online memberships to Slimming World
- 86p a week memberships at Get Slim
To find out more click here.
Local Government Association
Public health transformation seven years on: prevention in neighbourhood, place and system
The LGA’s 2020 public health annual report showcases examples from 10 areas that demonstrate what can be achieved by public health operating across local government and working closely with the NHS and a wide range of local and system partners.
Read the report here