Category: Alcohol

Categories
Alcohol CYP Healthcare Infant Mortality Mortality Smoking Tobacco & Drugs

Maternal smoking and the risk of still birth: systematic review and meta-analysis

Marufu, T.C et al (2015) BMC Public Health, 15: 239

Click here to view this article

Abstract

Background

Smoking in pregnancy is known to be associated with a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet there is a high prevalence of smoking among pregnant women in many countries, and it remains a major public health concern. We have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide contemporary estimates of the association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and the risk of stillbirth.

Methods

We searched four databases namely MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psych Info and Web of Science for all relevant original studies published until 31st December 2012. We included observational studies that measured the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of stillbirth.

Results

1766 studies were screened for title analysis, of which 34 papers (21 cohorts, 8 case controls and 5 cross sectional studies) met the inclusion criteria. In meta-analysis smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with a 47% increase in the odds of stillbirth (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.37, 1.57, p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis, smoking 1-9 cig/day and ≥10 cig/day was associated with an 9% and 52% increase in the odds of stillbirth respectively. Subsequently, studies defining stillbirth at ≥ 20 weeks demonstrated a 43% increase in odds for smoking mothers compared to mothers who do not smoke, (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.32, 1.54, p < 0.0001), whereas studies with stillbirth defined at ≥ 24 weeks and ≥ 28 weeks showed 58% and 33% increase in the odds of stillbirth respectively.

Conclusion

Our review confirms a dose-response effect of maternal smoking in pregnancy on risk of stillbirth. To minimise the risk of stillbirth, reducing current smoking prevalence in pregnancy should continue to be a key public health high priority.

Categories
A&E Alcohol Library

Alcohols impact on emergency services

By Institute of Alcohol Studies (2015)

This report reveals the full extent of the toll alcohol takes on emergency services in England. It presents a survey of police officers, ambulance and paramedic staff, accident and emergency department consultants and fire officers. It outlines both the financial burden on the emergency services and the human cost to frontline staff. The report also recommends a set of evidence-based policy measures to address this issue.

Click here to view this report

Categories
A&E Alcohol Hospital Admissions Licensing Planning Public Health Advice to NHS Commissioners

Alcohol-specific activity in hospitals in England

By the Nuffield Trust (2015)

Alcohol misuse costs the UK economy an estimated £7.3 billion per year. In England alone, estimates suggest that over 15,000 people die from alcohol-related illnesses each year.

The costs to the NHS of alcohol-related harm arise from a number of areas. For example, up to 35% of all Accident & Emergency (A&E) attendance and ambulance costs may be alcohol related. In 2013/14, over a million hospital admissions were as a consequence of an alcohol-related diagnosis, and this figure is increasing. The effect is not only evident in hospital care, with 22 to 35% of GP visits estimated to be related to alcohol. The true impact of alcohol on the health service is likely to be even higher than this.

This report analyses both trends in A&E visits and trends in hospital admissions that are attributable to alcohol-specific activities. Based on the findings it explores opportunities for preventative action.

Click here to view this report

Categories
Alcohol impact Licensing Planning Tobacco & Drugs

Alcohol: cumulative impact policies

By House of Commons Library (2015)

This briefing paper discusses cumulative impact policies which are a tool for licencing authorities to limit the growth of licenced premises in problem areas.

Click here to view this briefing

Categories
Accident Prevention Alcohol Cancer Care of the Elderly Community Safety CVD CYP Healthcare Health Protection (Emergency planning Healthy Child including NCMP & CDO Healthy Settings Infant Feeding Infant Mortality Infection Control Library Liver Disease including NHS Health Checks Local Government Long-Term Conditions Respiratory Disease seasonal mortality) Tobacco & Drugs

Health and social care priorities for the Government: 2015-2020

By The Nuffield Trust (2015)

This briefing outlines ten possible key health and social care priorities for the new government, covering funding and finance, quality of care, new models of care and workforce.

Click here to view this briefing

Categories
Alcohol Mortality Young People

OECD outlines action for governments to tackle heavy cost of harmful drinking

By OECD (2015)

Harmful drinking is on the rise among young people and women in many OECD countries, partly due to alcohol becoming more available, more affordable and more effectively advertised, according to a new OECD report. Click here to view this report
Categories
Alcohol Healthy Settings

Local alcohol profiles for England: latest update

By Public Health England (2015)

Alcohol use has health and social consequences borne by individuals, their families, and the wider community. The aim of these profiles is to provide information for local government, health organisations, commissioners and other agencies to monitor the impact of alcohol on local communities, and to monitor the services and initiatives that have been put in place to prevent and reduce the harmful impact of alcohol. Reducing harmful drinking is one of seven priority areas that Public Health England is focusing efforts on securing improvement. The indicators contained within the web-tool were selected following consultation with stakeholders and a review of the availability of routine data. The Local Alcohol Profiles for England (LAPE) are part of a series of products by Public Health England that provide local data alongside national comparisons to support local health improvement. Click here to view the profiles
Categories
Alcohol Tobacco & Drugs

Drinking, fast and slow: ten years of the Licensing Act

By Institute of Economic Affairs (2015)

This report finds that the relaxation of licensing laws ten years ago benefited consumers and did not result in the disastrous outcomes predicted at the time. Violent crime fell, alcohol consumption fell and rates of binge-drinking fell, particularly amongst young people. The number of drink-driving accidents also dropped significantly after the act came into force. There was no rise in alcohol-related A&E admissions or alcohol-related deaths.

Click here to view this report

Categories
Alcohol Tobacco & Drugs

Alcohol consumption and harmful drinking: trends and social disparities across OECD countries

By OECD Health Working Papers No. 79 (2015)

This paper illustrates trends and social disparities in alcohol consumption and harmful drinking in 20 OECD countries.

Click here to view this paper

Categories
Alcohol Care of the Elderly Good Practice Long-Term Conditions Patient Satisfaction Public Mental Health Substance Misuse Tobacco & Drugs

Peer support: what is it and does it work?

By National Voices (2015)

This review found evidence that peer support can help people feel more knowledgeable, confident and happy, and less isolated and alone. It also showed that there is a limited understanding of the different forms of peer support, how best to deliver support and the forms of training and infrastructure to get the most impact from it. It concludes that further evidence is needed to fully understand the impact that peer support has on the health service and individuals with long-term health conditions.

Click here to view this review