A report examined the clearance of residential property and the relocation of displaced occupiers as a means of improving the health of occupiers and the overall quality of the housing stock. It said that the government's focus on building new housing, while reducing the amount of money made available for the renewal of older stock in some parts of the country, was 'unsustainable' and a threat to public health.
Source: Commission on Housing Renewal and Public Health: Final Report, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (020 7928 6006)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Dec
The Scottish Government published an action plan for health and well-being, designed to improve patient participation, healthcare access, and public health. It included plans for reforming the primary care system. Patients would get walk-in access at pharmacies for a range of services, including treatment of minor injuries and access to sexual health screening.
Source: Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan, Scottish Government, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Plan | SG press release | BMA press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Dec
The Chief Medical Officer in Scotland published his annual report for 2006. Scotland's health was improving: but support and intervention in early life were essential if the nation were to close the gap between affluent and deprived areas.
Source: Health in Scotland 2006: Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Government, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SG press release
Date: 2007-Nov
A report said that the state had a duty to help everyone lead a healthy life and reduce inequalities in health. It looked specifically at alcohol, obesity, smoking, infectious disease, and fluoridation of water.
Source: Public health: Ethical Issues, Nuffield Council on Bioethics (020 7681 9619)
Links: Report | Summary | NCB press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined the effectiveness of community health educators in reaching 'difficult to reach' groups.
Source: Lai Fong Chiu and Robert West, 'Health intervention in social context: understanding social networks and neighbourhood', Social Science & Medicine Volume 65 Issue 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
A report examined the impact of alcohol advertising on young people following the tightening of the advertising codes in 2005. Children and young adults were being exposed to fewer alcohol advertisements on television: between 2002 and 2006 'advertising impacts' fell by 31 per cent for those aged 16-24, and by 39 per cent for those aged 10-15. There had been a significant decline in the proportion of young people saying that they felt alcohol adverts were aimed at them.
Source: Young People and Alcohol Advertising: An investigation of alcohol advertising following changes to the advertising code, Advertising Standards Authority (020 7492 2222) and Office of Communications
Links: Report | ASA press release
Date: 2007-Nov
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales published his annual report for 2006. Overall health in Wales was improving: but action was needed to address rising obesity levels, continued high rates of smoking, and a growing culture of binge drinking.
Source: Annual Report 2006, Chief Medical Officer for Wales/Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report | Report (Welsh) | NHS Wales press release
Date: 2007-Nov
A report collated national and regional data on public health and well-being in England. It highlighted increasing life expectancy, declining mortality rates from cancers and circulatory diseases, declining infant mortality, a decrease in the number of people smoking and in the number of smoking-attributable deaths, and an improvement in the quality of housing stock. But there were still regional health inequalities, and rates of obesity, diabetes, and alcohol-related hospital admissions were rising.
Source: Health Profile of England 2007, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | Summary | DH press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Oct
A survey found that two-thirds (66 per cent) of the 2006-07 allocation for public health priorities was actually spent by National Health Service trusts on other things – most frequently on supporting primary care trust financial deficits.
Source: Press release 18 October 2007, Association of Directors of Public Health (020 8274 6129)
Links: ADPH press release | NAT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Oct
The inspectorate for education and children's services examined the progress schools were making in meeting new standards for food in schools, and identified the strategies they were using to help pupils and families understand healthy eating. The number of pupils eating school meals had fallen in 19 out of 27 schools visited.
Source: Food in Schools: Encouraging healthier eating, HMI 070016, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | School Food Trust press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Oct
The Scottish Government published a Bill to modernize Scotland's public health legislation.
Source: Public Health etc (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | SG press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A report by an all-party group of MPs highlighted weaknesses in the management of sexual health services in family doctor practices by primary care trusts in England.
Source: A Report into the Delivery of Sexual Health Services in General Practice, All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Choice and Sexual Health Group (020 7219 3138)
Links: Report | FPA press release
Date: 2007-Oct
The government responded to the report of an independent review into the role of health visitors. It said that it welcomed the report, and supported the direction that it set. The focus on early intervention and prevention for young children and families was very much in keeping with its priorities. Many of the review recommendations would ensure that health visitors played a fuller role in delivering government priorities – particularly in relation to inequalities, social inclusion, tackling public health priorities, and promoting infant and maternal mental health.
Source: The Government Response to 'Facing the Future: A review of the role of health visitors', Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Response | Report | DH press release
Date: 2007-Oct
The government announced that from April 2009 expectant mothers in England would receive a one-off payment from their 29th week of pregnancy to encourage them to eat well. The 'health in pregnancy grant' would be paid in addition to existing 'healthy start' vouchers.
Source: Speech by Alan Johnson MP (Secretary of State for Health), 12 September 2007
Links: Text of speech | BBC report | Telegraph report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Sep
Researchers examined the impact of the school fruit and vegetable scheme following its implementation in 2004. There was a general increase in fruit and vegetable consumption observed across all cohorts.
Source: Sarah Blenkinsop et al., The Further Evaluation of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | NFER summary
Date: 2007-Sep
An annual survey of the take-up of school meals in England in 2007 found that in primary schools take-up had fallen on average by 1 per cent since the previous year, and that in secondary schools it had fallen by 5 per cent.
Source: Jo Nicholas, Lesley Wood and Michael Nelson, Second Annual Survey of Take-up of School Meals in England, School Food Trust (0844 800 9048)
Links: Report | SFT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Sep
A new book examined debates around the social context of health – including key socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors – and the practical strategies and solutions that had been developed to address public health problems.
Source: Angela Scriven and Sebastian Garman, Public Health: Social context and action, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Aug
The Scottish Executive published a discussion document designed to inform the development of its health and well-being action plan, to be published by the end of 2007.
Source: Better Health, Better Care: A Discussion Document, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SE press release
Date: 2007-Aug
An article sought to develop a deeper understanding of both the theory and practice of integration in planning, by examining the relationship between spatial planning and health. Integration offered the potential to enhance the physical, social, and mental well-being of individuals and communities.
Source: Sue Kidd, 'Towards a framework of integration in spatial planning: an exploration from a health perspective', Planning Theory & Practice, Volume 8 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
A report summarized the responses from 68,495 young people aged 10-15 to over 100 health-related behaviour questions – including food choices, drug taking, and exercise and sport.
Source: Young People into 2007, Schools Health Education Unit (01392 667272)
Links: SHEU press release | DEF press release
Date: 2007-Jul
An article reported a systematic review designed to assess the adequacy of measures evaluating generic health-related quality-of-life outcomes in children less than 5 years old. There was a need to develop empirically robust and conceptually comprehensive health-related quality-of-life measures.
Source: Angela Grange, Hilary Bekker, Jane Noyes and Pauline Langley, 'Adequacy of health-related quality of life measures in children under 5 years old: systematic review', Journal of Advanced Nursing, Volume 59 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
The healthcare inspectorate said that tracking progress in sexual health in England, and recognizing where improvements were needed, were difficult because of gaps in the data available.
Source: Performing Better? A focus on sexual health services in England, Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (020 7448 9200)
Links: Report | Summary | CHAI press release
Date: 2007-Jul
A Member of Parliament introduced a Bill designed to regulate the pricing and labelling of alcohol products; to further restrict alcohol advertising; and to make provision in relation to public order and alcohol-related offences.
Source: Alcohol (Harm Reduction) Bill, Sandra Gidley MP, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2007-Jul
An article examined three models of taxation on 'unhealthy' foods, to see which would be most effective at improving the public's diet. A carefully targeted 'fat tax' could produce modest but meaningful changes in food consumption, and a reduction in cardiovascular disease.
Source: Oliver Mytton, Alastair Gray, Mike Rayner and Harry Rutter, 'Could targeted food taxes improve health?', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 61 Number 8
Links: Abstract | NHF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jul
The government began consultation on its drugs strategy after March 2008 (when the existing strategy was due to run out). It said that a more radical approach was needed to drug-related problems. It asked how could drug treatment be made more cost-effective; and whether children under the age of 11 should be specifically targeted in anti-drugs campaigns.
Source: Drugs: Our Community, Your Say, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Consultation document | Home Office press release | YJB press release | DEF press release | Transform press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jul
An article examined the school fruit and vegetable scheme, which was introduced in 2004 to improve the health of children. Although the scheme initially boosted intake of fruit and vegetables, the improvement was short-lived.
Source: Joan Ransley et al., 'Does the school fruit and vegetable scheme improve children?s diet? A non-randomised controlled trial', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 61 Number 8
Links: Abstract | Leeds University press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jul
The Chief Medical Officer for England published his annual report for 2006. He called for a system of 'presumed consent' to be introduced to tackle a shortage of organ donors.
Source: 2006 Annual Report, Chief Medical Officer/Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | DH press release | BMA press release | BBC report | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2007-Jul
A government-commissioned review examined the future role of the health visitor. It made recommendations designed to strengthen the contribution of health visiting to local child-health promotion.
Source: Facing the Future: A review of the role of health visitors, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | DH press release
Date: 2007-Jun
The Scottish Executive announced that the legal age at which cigarettes could be bought would be increased from 16 to 18 in October 2007 (following the example of England and Wales).
Source: Press release 5 June 2007, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: SE press release | BMA press release
>Date: 2007-Jun
The education inspectorate in Wales said that guidance issued by the Welsh Assembly Government might be helping to delay the age at which children in primary schools started smoking and experimenting with drugs and alcohol: but in secondary schools it had had little impact on changing the attitudes and values of a significant minority, who continued to smoke, drink alcohol to excess, or use illegal drugs.
Source: Education about Substance Misuse, HM Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales (029 2044 6446)
Links: Report | HMCIETW press release
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined four important components of community health evaluations. The achievements of such evaluations had thus far been limited. The reasons for this, and how evaluations could play a more effective role in improving community health, were discussed.
Source: Joanna Becker, 'Improving community health through evaluations', Community Development Journal, Volume 42 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
The government published an updated strategy designed to promote sensible attitudes to alcohol consumption, and to reduce the annual cost of drink-related health, crime, and disorder problems (estimated at £20 billion). It challenged the willingness to accept drunkenness and anti-social behaviour as a 'normal' part of life: but it also targeted older people who drank excessively at home.
Source: 'Safe. Sensible. Social.' Next steps for the national alcohol strategy, Department of Health (08701 555455), Home Office, Department for Education and Skills, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Links: Strategy | Hansard | DH press release | RCP press release | DEF press release | Conservative Party press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined the appointment of directors of public health to primary care trust boards to work jointly with the local authorities in addressing health inequalities. Public health potential might not be fulfilled, because of pressures outside the public health area and the lack of capacity in the primary care trusts.
Source: Marianna Fotaki, 'Can directors of public health implement the new public health agenda in primary care? A case study of primary care trusts in the north west of England', Policy & Politics, Volume 35 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-May
A report described progress on implementing the public health White Paper, 'Choosing Health', published in 2004, which set out a commitment to reduce health inequalities and better tailor health and care services to meet individual needs. There was 'tangible evidence' of where action set out in the White Paper was achieving success.
Source: Second Choosing Health Progress Report, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-May
The government published an updated report of the health effects of climate change in the United Kingdom. The population was adapting well to the increasing temperatures experienced since the 1970s: but heatwaves still posed a serious problem to health, and they would became more frequent.
Source: Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK: An update of the Department of Health report 2001/2002, Department of Health (08701 555455) and Health Protection Agency
Links: Report | DH press release | HPA press release
Date: 2007-May
The government published a new action plan to reduce harm from drug use. More effective treatment would be provided to drug misusers, and more support for rehabilitation and abstinence.
Source: Reducing Drug-related Harm: An Action Plan, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Plan | DH press release | Drugscope press release
Date: 2007-May
The government announced that alcoholic drinks would carry new health warning labels by the end of 2008, under a voluntary agreement with the drinks industry. The labels would detail alcoholic units and recommended safe drinking levels.
Source: Press release 28 May 2007, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-May
A report said that parents in England were facing a 'postcode lottery' of health visitor provision. Caseloads ranged from one health visitor for every 160 children under five, to one per 1,140.
Source: Sally Gimson, Health Visitors: An Endangered Species, Family and Parenting Institute (020 7424 3460)
Links: Report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Apr
Campaigners examined the impact of the government's alcohol harm-reduction strategy. The amount of alcohol consumed by girls aged between 11 and 13 had increased by 82.6 per cent between 2000 and 2006, and for boys by 43.4 per cent. Parents who gave alcohol to children aged under 15 should be prosecuted.
Source: Glass Half Empty?, Alcohol Concern (020 7928 7377)
Links: Summary | Alcohol Concern press release | BMA press release | Portman Group press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Apr
The inspectorate for education and children's services said that in the previous five years the quality of personal, social and health education (PSHE) programmes in schools had improved steadily. But PSHE was taught by non-specialists in some schools, and too much of this teaching was unsatisfactory.
Source: Time for Change? Personal, social and health education, HMI 070049, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | DEF press release | BHA press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Apr
An article examined some of the problems and uncertainties arising from the use of Census data in epidemiological studies, and some of the approaches that could be used to address them.
Source: David Briggs, Daniela Fecht and Kees de Hoogh, 'Census data issues for epidemiology and health risk assessment: experiences from the Small Area Health Statistics Unit', Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A, Volume 170 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Apr
A report made recommendations designed to restrict exposure by children to tobacco smoke, in order to cut the incidence of tobacco-related ill-health and deaths.
Source: Breaking the Cycle of Children?s Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, British Medical Association (020 7387 4499)
Links: Report | BMA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Apr
A report evaluated a programme of local exercise action pilots. A general increase in physical activity levels was observed, suggesting that similar interventions could be successful.
Source: Carnegie Research Institute (Leeds Metropolitan University) with Matrix RCL and Ipsos MORI, The National Evaluation of LEAP, Department of Health (08701 555455) and others
Links: Report | Appendices
Date: 2007-Apr
Royal assent was given to an Act made in Scotland designed to ensure that only healthy, nutritious meals and snacks were served in schools.
Source: Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Text of Act
Date: 2007-Apr
The government announced a comprehensive review of the health of the working-age population, assessing existing health levels and providing a benchmark against which to measure future workplace health improvements.
Source: Press release 27 March 2007, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: DfES press release | IOSH press release | Personnel Today report
Date: 2007-Mar
An article said that existing strategies for dealing with problems of substance misuse and teenage pregnancy, such as focusing on sexual risk and attitudes to drugs, had 'only limited benefits'. Improving the ethos of schools, raising students' self-esteem, and creating better teacher-pupil relationships might be more effective.
Source: Chris Bonell, Tony Fletcher and Jim McCambridge, 'Improving school ethos may reduce substance misuse and teenage pregnancy', British Medical Journal, 24 March 2007
Links: Abstract | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Mar
The government announced an extra £8.9 billion in spending on health promotion. The additional money would be targeted at the most deprived areas. It would help the National Health Service and local councils come together to start schemes that would help deal with health challenges in their area - such as teenage pregnancy, obesity, and mental health. The government began consultation on a new commissioning framework designed to give family doctors more flexibility in how they used NHS money - for example, to prescribe social care services and home aids or adaptations.
Source: Press release 7 March 2007, Department of Health (020 7210 4850) | Commissioning Framework for Health and Well-being, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: DH press release | Framework | Impact assessment | Picker Institute press release | Age Concern press release | Guardian report | BBC report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Mar
An article examined the feasibility of using a nine-category matrix for classifying drugs based on their harmfulness. The ranking of drugs produced by the assessment differed from those used by existing regulatory systems: in particular, alcohol ranked above some 'class A' drugs.
Source: David Nutt, Leslie King, William Saulsbury and Colin Blakemore, 'Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse', The Lancet, 23 March 2007
Links: Abstract | Bristol University press release | Transform press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Mar
The opposition Conservative Party published a consultation document outlining proposals to give local and regional public health directors their own budgets. Measures would be taken to stop funds earmarked for specific health concerns being raided to tackle funding shortfalls in other areas. Under the proposals the money would be ring-fenced and held independently by public health directors working across local councils and the NHS.
Source: Public Health: Our Priority, Conservative Party (020 7222 9000)
Links: Consultation document | Conservative Party press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Mar
A report examined the effectiveness of drug education in schools in Scotland. Virtually all pupils received drugs education. There was much good practice in drug education, but more could be done to enhance its effectiveness.
Source: Martine Stead et al., Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Drug Education in Scottish Schools, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Links: Report | Summary | Literature review | SE press release
Date: 2007-Mar
The Scottish Parliament approved 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) | Debate 14 March 2007, columns 33103-33181, Scottish Parliament, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: MSP debate | Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum
Date: 2007-Mar
Researchers sought to identify the main areas where families with children under 11 needed further support to limit the risk of unhealthy weight gain. Although there was a high level of awareness of the importance of good diet and physical activity, some parents needed additional support to transfer awareness into action.
Source: Susan Jebb, Toni Steer and Christopher Holmes, The 'Healthy Living' Social Marketing Initiative: A review of the evidence, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Mar
A report said that money intended for sexual health initiatives was being diverted for other purposes by primary care trusts.
Source: Disturbing Symptoms: How primary care trusts managed sexual health and HIV in 2006 and how specialist clinicians viewed their progress, Terrence Higgins Trust (020 7831 0330) and others
Links: Report | THT press release | NHS Confederation press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Feb
Date: 2007-Feb
An article said that the varied nature of teenagers' sexual experiences meant that sex education should not be taught using one standard model. Lessons need to be tailored towards pupils' experiences rather than offering whole-class discussion.
Source: Louise Wallace, 'Informing school sex education using the stages of change construct: sexual behaviour and attitudes towards sexual activity and condom use of children aged 13?16 in England', Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 12 Number 1
Links: Abstract | ATL press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Feb
A think-tank report examined the key challenges the government faced in changing the public's health-related behaviour, and the government response. It considered the impact of people's environment, psychology, and biological characteristics. It concluded by putting forward a strategy for changing and maintaining desired health behaviours.
Source: Lula Durante, Improving our Health: A holistic approach, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Feb
The Scottish Executive published (following consultation) an action plan for improving the health of children and young people in Scotland.
Source: Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people's health in Scotland, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | Consultation responses
Date: 2007-Feb
The government published a framework for involving a wide range of bodies - including local housing authorities, primary care trusts, Supporting People teams, drug and alcohol teams, and the voluntary sector - in joint planning to improve the access of homeless people to local health services, and to promote joint commissioning of these services where appropriate.
Source: Framework for Planning and Commissioning of Services Related to Health Needs of People who are Homeless or Living in Temporary or Insecure Accommodation, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only)
Links: Framework
Date: 2007-Jan
Three linked working papers examined perceptions of responsibility for health at different levels in Wales – including individual, organizational, and state roles. Schools accepted a high degree of responsibility for promoting the health of pupils. Businesses accepted some degree of responsibility for the health of employees and customers in the area of accidents and injuries: but otherwise they took very little action to promote health, and most did not want to do any more.
Source: Simon Murphy, Emily Harrop, Sarah MacDonald and Heather Rothwell, An Examination of Perceptions of Roles and Responsibilities for Health amongst the General Public, Working Paper 76, School of Social Sciences/Cardiff University (029 2087 5179) | Sarah Macdonald, Emily Harrop, Heather Rothwell and Simon Murphy, Organisational Roles and Responsibilities for Health: Interviews with Representatives from the Statutory and Non-statutory Sectors, Working Paper 77, School of Social Sciences/Cardiff University | Heather Rothwell, Simon Murphy, Sarah MacDonald and Emily Harrop, Organisational Roles and Responsibilities for Health: A pilot survey of businesses, primary and secondary schools and local government, Working Paper 78, School of Social Sciences/Cardiff University
Links: Working Paper 76 | Abstract 76 | Working Paper 77 | Abstract 77 | Working Paper 78 | Abstract 78
Date: 2007-Jan
The government announced that it would raise the legal minimum age for buying tobacco in England and Wales from 16 to 18 years, with effect from 1 October 2007.
Source: Press release 1 January 2007, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release | ASH press release | Times report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jan
An article reported a study which found that a specially enhanced sex education programme (piloted in the east of Scotland) did not reduce conceptions or terminations by age 20 compared with conventional provision. The programme included a 5-day training programme for teachers.
Source: Marion Henderson et al., 'Impact of a theoretically based sex education programme (SHARE) delivered by teachers on NHS registered conceptions and terminations: final results of cluster randomised trial', British Medical Journal, 20 January 2007
Links: Abridged version | Abstract | MRC press release
Date: 2007-Jan
An article said that the evidence base of medicine might be fundamentally flawed because of an ongoing failure of research to include gender differences in study design and analysis.
Source: Anita Holdcroft, 'Gender bias in research: how does it affect evidence based medicine?', Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Volume 100 Issue 1
Links: Article | RSM press release
Date: 2007-Jan
The government published estimates of the quantities of food and drink purchased by households between 2002-03 and 2005-06. Quantities of fruit and vegetables (excluding potatoes) purchased by each household were 7.7 per cent higher in 2005-06 than in the previous year.
Source: Press release 18 January 2007, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000)
Links: Defra press release
Date: 2007-Jan
The healthcare inspectorate said that National Health Service primary care trusts in areas of deprivation in England were providing the best approach to reducing smoking levels.
Source: No Ifs, No Buts: Improving services for tobacco control, Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (020 7448 9200)
Links: Report | CHAI press release
Date: 2007-Jan
A report by a committee of MSPs endorsed the general principles of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill, which would make health a central component to schooling and introduce nutritional requirements: but it called for the proposed legislation to apply to the pre-school and independent sector.
Source: Stage 1 Report on the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill, 2nd Report 2007, SP Paper 718, Scottish Parliament Communities Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release
Date: 2007-Jan
