An article examined the constraints imposed on public health initiatives by the various environments within which they were nested, drawing on experience in evaluating health action zones in England. Governments needed to rethink existing organizational structures, and update them to match the evolution of ideas on health.
Source: Dina Berkeley and Jane Springett, 'From rhetoric to reality: a systemic approach to understanding the constraints faced by Health For All initiatives in England', Social Science & Medicine Volume 63 Issue 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Dec
A report outlined the Scottish Executive's approach to health improvement, and tracked progress towards delivering a healthier Scotland.
Source: Delivering a Healthy Scotland: Meeting the Challenge, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Dec
A survey found that half the population of England did not take part in sport or active recreation. But 69.5 per cent of adults were satisfied with the sports provision in their local area.
Source: Press release 7 December 2006, Sport England (0870 5210 255)
Links: Sport England press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Dec
The government announced that smoking in enclosed public places would be banned in England from 1 July 2007.
Source: Press release 1 December 2006, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release | Hansard | TUC press release | BMA press release | CIEH press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Dec
A study examined the health and well-being impacts of moving into new, general purpose, social housing provided by registered social landlords in Scotland. Moving to new social housing was associated with improvements reported in the quality of the home (particularly in terms of damp, and warmth) and in the quality of the local neighbourhood. There was some limited evidence that self-reported health had improved.
Source: Ade Kearns, Mark Petticrew, Caroline Hoy, Phil Mason and Catherine Ferrell, The Effects of Social Housing on Health and Wellbeing: Initial findings from the SHARP study, Communities Scotland (0131 313 0044)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Dec
A report (by an official advisory body) said that sexual health services were at risk as a result of the structural changes being made in the National Health Service. It recommended that each primary care trust should have a public health specialist reviewing the sexual health needs of the population and advising the trust.
Source: Annual Report 2005-2006, Independent Advisory Group for Sexual Health and HIV (Sexual_Health_IAG@dh.gsi.gov.uk)
Links: Links removed
Date: 2006-Dec
A report said that a programme of events in Scotland to promote healthy living awareness among pupils before their transition to secondary school had been successful in entertaining and stimulating pupils and in making them think about the issues relating to drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
Source: Justine Menzies and Katherine Myant, Review of Choices for Life, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Nov
The broadcasting regulator began consultation on detailed restrictions intended to limit children?s exposure to television advertising of food and drink products high in fat, salt and sugar.
Source: Television Advertising of Food and Drink Products to Children: Statement and further consultation, Office of Communications (020 7981 3000)
Links: Consultation document | Ofcom press release | DCMS press release | OCC press release | NCC press release | Sustainweb press release | Consumer Association press release | BHF press release | NFWI press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Children Now report
Date: 2006-Nov
The Chief Medical Officer in Scotland said that many public health strategies were showing highly encouraging effects, and that major legislative change (such as the smoking ban) was likely to produce further improvements. However, major public health challenges which remained include inequalities in child health, the rising obesity prevalence, and the mental health of young people.
Source: Health in Scotland 2005, Chief Medical Officer/Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SE press release | BBC report
Date: 2006-Nov
A report set out the findings of a cost-benefit evaluation of health impact assessments. The benefits were found to outweigh the costs: but the sample was a small one.
Source: Jacqueline O Reilly et al., Cost Benefit Analysis of Health Impact Assessment, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Nov
A report presented findings from research into adolescent health in the general population, primary care services in relation to young people and adolescent health needs, and healthcare provision in youth offending institutions. It made recommendations about healthcare for adolescents and young people in prison, and identified what further research was needed.
Source: Wendy Macdonald, The Health Needs of Young Offenders, National Primary Care Research and Development Centre (0161 275 0611)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Nov
A report by a government agency said that there was generally a low rate of infectious disease among migrants in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, although the majority of patients newly diagnosed with HIV, TB and malaria were born outside the United Kingdom.
Source: Migrant Health: Infectious diseases in non-UK born populations in England, Wales & Northern Ireland, Health Protection Agency (020 7339 1300)
Links: Report | HPA press release | BBC report
Date: 2006-Nov
Two linked reports outlined the government's approach to improving health and tackling health inequalities. The first brought together regional and national data to give a snapshot of the state of public health in 2004 (the year that the 'Choosing Health' White Paper was published). The second report set out the next stage in the government's programme of action to improve public health.
Source: Health Profile of England, Department of Health (08701 555455) | , Health Challenge England: Next Steps for Choosing Health, Department of Health
Links: Report 1 | Report 2 | DH press release | Factsheets | BMA press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Oct
An article examined the evidence base for the effectiveness of school- and community-based physical activity interventions aimed at young people.
Source: Lorraine Cale and Jo Harris, 'Interventions to promote young people s physical activity: issues, implications and recommendations for practice', Health Education Journal, Volume 65 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Oct
A report presented 22 indicators relating to the health and well-being of children and young people in the English regions. It made a number of recommendations for future development concerning data collection and analysis, focusing particularly on the health and well-being of vulnerable children and children living in special circumstances.
Source: Brian Ferguson et al., Indications of Public Health in the English Regions: 5 - Child Health, Association of Public Health Observatories (0191 3340398)
Date: 2006-Oct
The Scottish Executive began consultation on proposals to modernize public health legislation. The majority of proposed changes were aimed at clarifying roles and responsibilities for health protection, mainly between local authorities and National Health Service Boards.
Source: Public Health Legislation in Scotland: A Consultation, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Consultation document | SE press release
Date: 2006-Oct
A briefing paper (by an official advisory body) said that cities should be designed so as to encourage physical activity. It called for greater cross government working, and co-operation between local authorities and primary care trusts, to grasp the opportunity to deliver better health through buildings and spaces.
Source: Physical Activity and the Built Environment, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (020 7960 2400)
Links: Briefing | CABE press release
Date: 2006-Oct
Long-acting reversible contraception methods - including injections, coils, and implants - were used by 20 per cent of the 1.2 million women who visited National Health Service community contraception centres in England in 2005-06, compared with 18 per cent in 2003-04.
Source: NHS Contraceptive Services: England 2005-06, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (0845 300 6016)
Links: Report | NHS press release
Date: 2006-Oct
A report presented the results of the module of questions on contraception and sexual health included in the National Statistics Omnibus Survey during 2005-06.
Source: Tamara Taylor, Laura Keyse and Aimee Bryant, Contraception and Sexual Health, 2005/06, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Oct
The Scottish Executive published a Bill designed to ensure that only healthy, nutritious meals and snacks were served in schools.
Source: Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | SE press release | COSLA press release | BBC report
Date: 2006-Sep
Research found that attempts to encourage children to eat more healthily were being undermined by multimedia advertising campaigns for junk food.
Source: Ellie Lewis, Children s Views on Non-broadcast Food and Drink Advertising , Office of the Children s Commissioner (0844 8009113)
Links: Report | NCB press release
Date: 2006-Sep
A review of scientific evidence concluded that being in work was good for physical and mental health, boosting self-esteem and quality of life.
Source: Gordon Waddell and Kim Burton, Is Work Good for Your Health and Well-being?, Department for Work and Pensions, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Summary | DWP press release
Date: 2006-Sep
A report examined the economic benefits of local walking and cycling schemes. It said that every ?1 spent on a route generated a benefit worth ?20, potentially saving the National Health Service significant amounts of money, and helping to tackle obesity.
Source: Economic Appraisal of Local Walking and Cycling Routes, Sustrans (0845 113 0065)
Links: Summary
Date: 2006-Sep
The healthcare inspectorate praised National Health Service trusts in the most deprived areas of England for their efforts to reduce the public health impact of smoking.
Source: Press release 13 September 2006, Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (020 7448 9200)
Links: CHAI press release
Date: 2006-Sep
A study found that positive, informative strategies which helped people to set specific health and environmental goals were far more effective at encouraging behaviour change than negative strategies which employed messages of fear, guilt, or regret.
Source: Paschal Sheeran, Does Changing Attitudes, Norms or Self-Efficacy Change Intentions and Behaviour?, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release
Date: 2006-Sep
A survey examined health status, health-related lifestyles, and health service use in Wales. Adults in the South Wales valleys generally reported the highest levels of illness.
Source: Welsh Health Survey: 2003/05 Local Authority Report, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Sep
A report called for a national programme using family doctors' surgeries to identify people putting themselves at risk by drinking too much, and to provide on-the-spot advice and support to motivate them to reduce their drinking.
Source: Nick Heather, Health Interventions for Problem Drinkers: Integrating health promotion interventions for problem drinkers into primary health care, Alcohol Concern (020 7928 7377)
Links: Summary | Alcohol Concern press release
Date: 2006-Aug
The government began consultation on proposals to raise the legal age for buying tobacco in England and Wales. Three options were proposed - raising the limit to 17, to 18, or leaving it unchanged.
Source: Consultation on Under-Age Sale of Tobacco: Changing the age of sale and strengthening sanctions against retailers for under-age sale of tobacco, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation document | DH press release | ASH press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jul
The education inspectorate said that the majority of schools were making a valuable contribution to pupils health and well-being: but mental health issues were not tackled sufficiently across the curriculum, and a minority of schools focused too little on the potential impact of drugs, smoking, and alcohol on pupils lives.
Source: Healthy Schools, Healthy Children? The contribution of education to pupils health and well-being, HMI 2563, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833)
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | Drugs Education Forum press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jul
The Prime Minister called for much greater individual and corporate responsibility for the nation's public health. He said that the public was no longer willing to accept advice if it came from a government. Instead there should be a new form of "social marketing", relying on food companies, charities, and local health groups to deliver public health messages that people were more likely to believe.
Source: Speech by Tony Blair MP (Prime Minister), 26 July 2006
Links: Text of speech | Downing Street press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jul
A paper examined the re-emergence of school food as a political issue.
Source: Kevin Morgan, School Food and the Public Domain: The politics of the public plate, School of City and Regional Planning/Cardiff University (029 208 74022)
Links: Paper
Date: 2006-Jul
A study found found significant falls in the proportion of children eating schools meals in England. In primary schools 6 per cent fewer children ate school dinners in 2005-06 than in the previous year; and in secondary schools it fell by 5 per cent. Catering firms said publicity about poor-quality school meals was one reason for the decline. The cost of school dinners in both primary and secondary schools was rising faster than inflation, and 1 in 5 primary schools lacked cooking facilities.
Source: Michael Nelson and Jo Nicholas, First Annual Survey of Take Up of School Meals in England, School Food Trust (020 7273 5205)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Jul
The Chief Medical Officer published his annual report for 2005. He called for an end to unacceptable variations in healthcare provision across the country.
Source: On the State of the Public Health: Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer 2005, Chief Medical Officer/Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | DH press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jul
A report examined compliance with school food standards, food consumption in primary school pupils, and nutrient intakes compared to independent guidelines. Between one-quarter and one-third of energy and nutrients were provided by school meals on the days that they were eaten. But many pupils were not making healthy food and drink choices at lunchtime, even though healthier options were available in most schools.
Source: M. Nelson et al., School Meals in Primary Schools in England, Research Report 753, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2006-Jun
A report examined the existing state of knowledge about the effects of children's diets on their health and education. It said that a concerted effort was needed on the part of schools, families, and government bodies to improve children's nutritional intake, both inside and out of school.
Source: Annik Sorhaindo and Leon Feinstein, What is the Relationship between Child Nutrition and School Outcomes?, Research Report RCB03-06, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Brief
Date: 2006-Jun
A report said that the latest marketing techniques should be used to persuade people to adopt healthier lifestyles. This could dramatically improve people s health, reduce health inequalities, and improve National Health Service efficiency.
Source: It s our Health! Realising the potential of effective social marketing, National Consumer Council (020 7730 3469)
Links: Summary | NCC press release
Date: 2006-Jun
A report by a committee of peers examined government and public attitudes to risk. It called on the government to pay more attention to the risks to personal liberty posed by new legislation. It said that (for example) the ban on smoking in public places was not justified by the risks to health from passive smoking.
Source: Government Policy on the Management of Risk, Fifth Report (Session 2005-06), HL 183, House of Lords Economic Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | ASH press release | IOSH press release | BBC report
Date: 2006-Jun
An article examined the inter-organizational relationships needed to deliver public health policies.
Source: Sara Shaw, John Ashcroft and Roland Petchey, 'Barriers and opportunities for developing sustainable relationships for health improvement: the case of public health and primary care in the UK', Critical Public Health, Volume 16 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-May
A report examined evaluations of programmes which provided a reward, such as cash payments or entry into prize draws, to facilitate desired health behaviours among children and young people. Although incentives might be effective in promoting simple behaviours, such as attendance for immunization, they were not an easy solution for more complex behaviours.
Source: Josephine Kavanagh, Alex Trouton, Ann Oakley and Chloe Powell, A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Incentive Schemes to Encourage Positive Health and Other Social Behaviours in Young People, EPPI-Centre/Social Science Research Unit/Institute of Education/University of London (020 7612 6050)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-May
The government announced new nutrition standards for school meals, banning 'junk foods' which were high in salt and fat.
Source: Press release 19 May 2006, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: DfES press release | FSA press release | ASCL press release | CPAG press release | APSE press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-May
An article said that, based on self-reported illnesses and biological markers of disease, people in England were much healthier than their counterparts in the United States of America, and that these differences existed at all points of the socio-economic distribution.
Source: James Banks, Michael Marmot, Zoe Oldfield and James Smith, 'Disease and disadvantage in the United States and in England', Journal of the American Medical Association Volume 295 Number 17
Links: Abstract | New Scientist report
Date: 2006-May
The Scottish Executive began consultation on proposals to require local councils to ensure that all food and drink supplied in their schools met set nutritional standards. This would not only include school meals, but also food and drink sold in vending machines. Junk food snacks and fizzy drinks not meeting the standards would be banned.
Source: Improving the Health and Nutrition of Scotland?s Children: Consultation on the Schools (Nutrition and Health Promotion) (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Consultation document | BBC report
Date: 2006-May
A report said that by increasing to 70 per cent the proportion of the population who exercised for at least the government s target amount, sick leave could be cut by 2.8 million days a year - boosting the economy by 487 million.
Source: Health of the Nation: An in-depth report into UK consumer attitudes to physical exercise, Deloitte & Touche LLP (020 7303 6410)
Links: Summary | Deloitte and Touche press release
Date: 2006-Apr
A report examined various issues surrounding research access to population-based collections of data and materials on health. It said that access to collections could be improved: but the provision of access would have to be actively facilitated, guided, funded, and rewarded.
Source: William Lowrance, Access to Collections of Data and Materials for Health Research, Medical Research Council (020 7636 5422) and Wellcome Trust
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Apr
The broadcasting regulator began consultation on options for restrictions on the television advertising of food and drink products to children.
Source: Television Advertising of Food and Drink Products to Children: Options for new restrictions, Office of Communications (020 7981 3000)
Links: Consultation document | Ofcom press release | BHF press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Mar
The education inspectorate said that parents needed to take responsibility for making sure their children ate healthy food. Many secondary schools had poor canteen facilities, and short lunch breaks meant some pupils did not have time to eat their meals properly.
Source: Healthy Eating in School, HMI 2625, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833)
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Mar
The 2006 Budget proposed a reduction in VAT on condoms and other contraceptives from 17.5 to 5 per cent.
Source: Budget 2006: A strong and strengthening economy - Investing in Britain s future, Cm 968, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | HMT press release | FPA press release | BBC report
Date: 2006-Mar
An article reported findings from an evaluation of a pilot programme set up to support school and community nurses in the delivery of personal, social and health education, including sex and relationships education, with young people. It said that these types of scheme were well received by community nurses.
Source: Helen Chalmers, 'Sex and relationships education in schools evaluation of a pilot programme for the certification of community nurses', Health Education Journal, Volume 65 Issue 1
Links: No link provided
Date: 2006-Mar
A survey found that only 36 per cent of primary care trusts in England felt they had the capacity to deliver effective public health services.
Source: The Specialist Public Health Workforce in the United Kingdom: 2005 Survey, Faculty of Public Health (020 7487 1185)
Links: Report | FPH press release | BBC report
Date: 2006-Mar
The food standards watchdog recommended a voluntary 'traffic light' labelling system for denoting whether a food had high, medium or low levels of fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt. But leading manufacturers and Tesco, the largest supermarket, reportedly rejected the proposal.
Source: Press release 9 March 2006, Food Standards Agency (020 7276 8000) | The Guardian, 10 March 2006
Links: FSA press release | BBC report | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2006-Mar
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on smoking in public places.
Source: Government Response to the House of Commons Health Committee s First Report of Session 2005-06: Smoking in Public Places Cm 6769, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2006-Mar
The Health Bill was given a third reading. The Bill was designed to ban smoking in enclosed public places, including all workplaces, pubs, and clubs.
Source: Health Bill, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14 February 2006, columns 1290-1389, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | HOC Library research paper 1 | HOC Library research paper 2 | Hansard | ASH press release | TUC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Feb
An article said that there was little evidence of the impact of national urban regeneration investment on socio-economic or health outcomes. Where impacts had been assessed, these were often small and positive: but adverse impacts had also occurred.
Source: Hilary Thomson, Rowland Atkinson, Mark Petticrew, and Ade Kearns, 'Do urban regeneration programmes improve public health and reduce health inequalities? A synthesis of the evidence from UK policy and practice (1980 2004)', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 60 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Feb
An article said that the assumption that planned provision of supportive environments would improve levels of physical activity, health and lifestyle might not be true if the developments did not take account of community concerns regarding personal safety.
Source: Tanya Trayers et al., 'Improving health through neighbourhood environmental change: are we speaking the same language? A qualitative study of views of different stakeholders', Journal of Public Health, Volume 28 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Feb
A report highlighted what public health interventions worked to reduce smoking initiation and increase smoking cessation.
Source: Aaron Barker, Diane Black, Karen Tocque and Liz Gaulton, A Review of the Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions, Centre for Public Health/Liverpool John Moores University (0151 231 4510)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Feb
A report on the Communities for Health programme described how community activities in more than 80 local authorities had encouraged behaviour change and strengthened local partnership to tackle a wide range of key health priorities.
Source: Communities for Health: Unlocking the energy within communities to improve health, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | DH press release
Date: 2006-Jan
The government announced that the national subsidy for school milk would be retained - despite an independent report which said that the scheme had high administrative costs and apparently small benefits for child health.
Source: Press release 13 January 2006, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000) | London Economics with Susan New, Evaluation of the National Top-Up to the EU School Milk Subsidy in England, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Links: DEFRA press release | Report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jan
An article said that the influence of the concept of social capital on policy development in the public health field had the potential to complement, rather than provide an alternative to, social democratic approaches. It appeared to reinforce the gradual shift in primary care towards a more public health orientation, a shift generally regarded as vital for the secure establishment of health inequalities on the health agenda.
Source: Paul Bridgen, 'Social capital, community empowerment and public health: policy developments in the UK since 1997', Policy & Politics, Volume 34 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Jan
The report of an official review said that the drink-drive limit should be reduced from 80mg/100ml (alcohol/blood) to 50mg/100ml. Linked research said that as many as 168 lives – approximately 7 per cent of road deaths in Great Britain – could be saved in the first year of a reduced limit, rising to as many as 303 lives saved by the sixth year.
Source: Peter North, Report of the Review of Drink and Drug Driving Law, Department for Transport
Links: Report | Research report | Review press release | NICE press release | DT press release | Alcohol Concern press release | Living Streets press release | BMA press release | RAC press release | Hansard | Guardian report | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2006-Jan
A trade union report said that school meal prices had risen by 13 per cent since 2001 and 44 per cent since 1995.It warned that children from less affluent homes may not be able to afford school meals if prices continued to rise.
Source: School Meals, Unison (0845 355 0845)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jan
A report said that there was an "alarming" lack of local National Health Service planning to improve sexual health in England, despite considerable central government funding being made available to do so.
Source: Review of Primary Care Trust Local Delivery Plans 2005-2008, Terrence Higgins Trust (020 7831 0330) and others
Links: Report | THT press release | FPA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Jan
An official report described some of the key issues and trends in health in the United Kingdom.
Source: Madhavi Bajekal, Velda Osborne, Mohammed Yar and Howard Meltzer (eds.), Focus on Health: 2006 edition, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Date: 2006-Jan
An article said that older women could operate autonomously in health matters, and could substantially influence the development of healthy communities: but this could sometimes be at a personal cost.
Source: Margaret Boneham and Judith Sixsmith, 'The voices of older women in a disadvantaged community: issues of health and social capital', Social Science & Medicine Volume 62 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Jan
An article examined how regeneration affected health, and how successive urban policy evaluations had sought to measure such impacts. The process and difficulties of conducting the review raised significant questions about policy formulation and evaluation.
Source: Rowland Atkinson, Hilary Thomson, Ade Kearns and Mark Petticrew, 'Giving urban policy its 'medical': assessing the place of health in area-based regeneration', Policy & Politics, Volume 34 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Jan
An article said that health services organizations could more fully fulfil their central health-enhancing purposes through community development efforts.
Source: Beaufort Longest, 'The community development potential of large health services organizations', Community Development Journal, Volume 41 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Jan
A report said that a project had succeeded in improving sexual health awareness and practice among young teenagers.
Source: Clive Sealey, An Evaluation of a Multifaceted, Program-related Youth Work Approach to Tackling Teenage Pregnancy, Maypole Centre (0121 464 6172)
Links: Report | Young People Now report
Date: 2006-Jan