An article said that the public regarded it as acceptable to reward people for changing their health-related behaviour, such as smoking or weight loss, as long as the incentive worked.
Source: Marianne Promberger, Paul Dolan, and Theresa Marteau, '"Pay them if it works": discrete choice experiments on the acceptability of financial incentives to change health related behaviour', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 75 Issue 12
Links: Abstract | Kings College press release
Date: 2012-Dec
A report said that billions of pounds were spent each year tackling drug-related problems, without a clear idea as to what difference the spending made. It called for the creation of a new body to assess existing and alternative drugs policies – possibly funded by assets seized from dealers.
Source: How to Make Drug Policy Better: Key findings from UKDPC research into drug policy governance , UK Drug Policy Commission
Links: Report | Summary | BBC report
Date: 2012-Dec
A report by a committee of MPs called for a Royal Commission on the issue of drugs policy. The commission should consider all options for reform, including decriminalization and legalization.
Source: Drugs: Breaking the Cycle, Ninth Report (Session 2012–13), HC 184, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Oral and written evidence | Additional written evidence | ACPO press release | DrugScope press release | Kent University press release | Labour Party press release | Turning Point press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Dec
A new book examined public health policy in the European Union.
Source: Scott Greer and Paulette Kurzer (eds), European Union Public Health Policy: Regional and global trends, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Nov
The report of a Europe-wide research project made a series of recommendations for governments to help tackle unhealthy diets. It recommended taxing unhealthy foods and using the revenue raised to promote healthy eating, front-of-pack food labelling, voluntary agreements on salt levels in foods, and long-term food information campaigns.
Source: Bruce Traill et al., Effectiveness of Policy Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating and Recommendations for Future Action: Evidence from the EATWELL Project, EATWELL Project (European Commission)
Links: Report | Reading University press release
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined the reasons that people gave for participating in longitudinal health studies, and made recommendations for encouraging continued participation as they grew older.
Source: Gill Mein, Clive Seale, Helen Rice, Suneeta Johal, Richard Ashcroft, George Ellison, and Anthea Tinker, 'Altruism and participation in longitudinal health research? Insights from the Whitehall II Study', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 75 Issue 12
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
A think-tank report examined the policy model used as the basis for calls for minimum alcohol pricing. It said that the model was 'deeply flawed', based on faulty premises, and used to justify policy far beyond what it actually proved.
Source: John Duffy and Christopher Snowdon, The Minimal Evidence for Minimum Pricing: The fatal flaws in the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model, Adam Smith Institute
Date: 2012-Nov
The government began consultation on its alcohol strategy in England and Wales, including proposals to introduce a minimum retail price of 45 pence per unit of alcohol.
Source: A Consultation on Delivering the Government's Policies to Cut Alcohol Fuelled Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, Home Office
Links: Consultation document | Summary | Hansard | Home Office press release | Conservative Party press release | ACPO press release | Alcohol Research press release | BMA/AHA press release | 4Children press release | IAS press release | IFS observation | LGA press release | RCN press release | RCP press release | BBC report | Turning Point press release | HOC research brief | Daily Mail report | Inside Housing report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Nov
The World Health Organisation published a plan for tackling the major challenges facing health policies and systems in Europe.
Source: European Action Plan for Strengthening Public Health Capacities and Services, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Plan | WHO press release
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined people's attitudes and beliefs toward the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol policy, and their views on how the policy could be made acceptable to the general public. There was little evidence to suggest that people would support the introduction of a minimum price. Clearer educational messages were needed to dispel misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of the policy. A package of government initiatives to address excess alcohol consumption might be the best way to advance support for the policy.
Source: Adam Lonsdale, Sarah Hardcastle, and Martin Hagger, 'A minimum price per unit of alcohol: a focus group study to investigate public opinion concerning UK government proposals to introduce new price controls to curb alcohol consumption', BMC Public Health, Volume 12
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
A paper examined the linkages between urban economies and health. 'Core' cities in England generated 27 per cent of the country's economic output, yet significant and persistent deprivation existed within their populations alongside a profile of health inequalities. Core cities were uniquely well placed to link health outcomes and economic opportunity.
Source: Healthy Cities, Healthy Economies: Health, wellbeing and competitiveness, Core Cities Group
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Oct
The government responded to a report by a committee of peers on the public health benefits of sport/exercise science and medicine.
Source: Government Response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Report of Session 2012-13 'Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine: Building on the Olympic legacy to improve the nation's health', Cm 8452, Department of Health, TSO
Notes: Peers report (July 2012)
Date: 2012-Oct
An article said that public subsidies enabling free bus travel for older people in England might confer significant population health benefits through increased incidental physical activity.
Source: Sophie Coronini-Cronberg, Christopher Millett, Anthony Laverty, and Elizabeth Webb, 'The impact of free older persons bus pass on active travel and regular walking in England', American Journal of Public Health, Volume 102 Issue 11
Links: Abstract | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Oct
A study examined the Scottish evidence for a link between social capital and health outcomes. People's level of social capital assets did, to varying degrees, predict their level of general health or mental well-being. Having regular contact with relatives, friends, and neighbours, was particularly associated with good or very good self-reported health.
Source: Rachel Ormston, Social Capital and Health: Findings from the Scottish Health Survey and Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, Scottish Government
Date: 2012-Oct
An article examined whether English legislation in 2007 to make virtually all indoor public places and workplaces smoke-free had displaced smoking into the home, and hence increased the proportion of children exposed to levels of second-hand smoke. It was found that the legislation had not increased the proportion of children exposed to damaging levels of second-hand smoke. But a significant proportion of children remained highly exposed to second-hand smoke, and future policies needed to include interventions to reduce exposure among these children.
Source: Michelle Sims, Linda Bauld, and Anna Gilmore, 'England's legislation on smoking in indoor public places and work-places: impact on the most exposed children', Addiction, Volume 107 Issue 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Oct
A report said that violence was estimated to cost the National Health Service £2.9 billion every year, and showed one of the strongest inequalities gradients – with emergency hospital admission rates for violence being around five times higher in the most deprived communities than in the most affluent. A range of different interventions throughout the life course could reduce individuals' propensity for violence, lower the chances of those involved in violence being involved again, and ensure that those affected by violence get the support they required.
Source: Mark Bellis, Karen Hughes, Clare Perkins, and Andrew Bennett, Protecting People Promoting Health: A public health approach to violence prevention for England, Centre for Public Health (Liverpool John Moores University)
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Oct
A paper examined the relationship between health behaviours and young people's well-being. Health-protective behaviours were associated with high well-being, and health-risk behaviours were associated with low well-being. Interventions to encourage healthy lifestyles among adolescents might not only benefit their future physical health but also their existing well-being. A gendered approach to targeting interventions was also recommended.
Source: Amanda Sacker, Health Related Behaviours and Wellbeing in Adolescence, Occasional Paper 9.2, International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Sep
An article examined children's understanding of family finances and how they perceived this to relate to eating healthily. Children had sophisticated ideas about the interrelationships between diet, cost, and health; and they were acutely aware of how family finances influenced food purchase. Children proposed different strategies to facilitate eating healthily on a budget: but they prioritized state and corporate responsibility in ensuring that eating healthily was affordable. This contrasted with existing health-related policy, which did not address cost as a potential barrier to eating healthily in the home. Children also consistently conflated healthy eating with eating fruit and vegetables, highlighting a need to reinforce other important nutritional messages.
Source: Hannah Fairbrother, Penny Curtis, and Elizabeth Goyder, 'Children's understanding of family financial resources and their impact on eating healthily', Health and Social Care in the Community, Volume 20 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Sep
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on its alcohol strategy.
Source: Government Response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee Report of Session 2010–12: Government's Alcohol Strategy, Cm 8439, Department of Health, TSO
Links: Response | Hansard | IPA press release
Notes: MPs report
Date: 2012-Sep
A series of policy commentaries examined the government's alcohol strategy.
Source: Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Volume 19 Number 5
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2012-Sep
An article examined how important decisions about health could alter between public health policy formulation and eventual marketing implementation – focusing on the 'Change4Life' anti-obesity campaign. Claims about causality oscillated and altered throughout the research, policy, and marketing process. These oscillations were problematic, since the Department of Health described the original consumer research as 'critical'.
Source: Joe Piggin, 'Turning health research into health promotion: a study of causality and "critical insights" in a United Kingdom health campaign', Health Policy, Volume 107 Issue 2-3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Sep
The Welsh Government began consultation on how the National Health Service, the public, and the government itself could work better together on improving health and health services. It asked for submissions on how services could be improved; how the NHS could improve the way it worked with communities and individuals; and how people could be better helped to manage their own health and health problems. It also raised questions about whether people might do more to help themselves – for example, quitting smoking or eating more healthily.
Source: The People s NHS: A consultation document on creating a compact with the people of Wales in relation to their health and health services, Welsh Government
Links: Consultation document | Welsh Government press release
Date: 2012-Aug
An article said that the number of pregnancies for girls aged under 16 in England and Wales had remained roughly the same since 1969. This suggested that there was no link between sexual health campaigns and the number of teenage pregnancies. There should be a shift in the campaigns to aim them more directly at reducing the level of under-age sexual activity.
Source: David Paton, 'Underage conceptions and abortions in England and Wales 1969–2009: the role of public policy', Education and Health, Volume 30 Issue 2
Links: Article | Commentary
Date: 2012-Aug
A report examined the role of the 'Big Society' agenda in managing risk in society. It distinguished between traditional 'top-down' methods of risk management employed by the state through laws and regulations, and the 'bottom-up' approach that sought to manage risk by engaging ordinary people and communities. Bottom-up approaches were both under-theorized and under-utilized, and were worthy of greater inspection: they could 'roll back bureaucracy' and provide more intuitive ways for people to self-regulate their approach to risk.
Source: Ben Rogers, Risk and the Big Society, 2020 Public Services Hub/Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce
Date: 2012-Aug
A survey examined the impact that the economic recession had had on the nation's health, and how this might have impacted on family doctors' practices. 76 per cent of family doctors said that the recession had had a detrimental effect on the health of their patients.
Source: The Austerity Britain Report: The impact of the recession on the UK s health, according to GPs, Insight Research Group
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Aug
An article examined the link between health outcomes and green space. The odds of achieving the recommended amount of physical activity were significantly greater for people living in the greenest quintile in England compared with those living in the least green quintile. But no association was found between green space and the types of physical activity normally associated with it. An association was found with other types of physical activity, such as gardening, do-it-yourself, and occupational physical activity. These findings suggested that the association between physical activity and green space might not be explained by individuals using green space for recreation.
Source: Oliver Mytton, Nick Townsend, Harry Rutter, and Charlie Foster, 'Green space and physical activity: an observational study using Health Survey for England data', Health and Place, Volume 18 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Aug
A report examined the causal impact of social capital on health in 14 European countries (including the United Kingdom). There appeared to be strong causal relationship between social capital and individual health. Community social capital (defined at regional level) appeared not to affect health once individual-level social capital was controlled for. This suggested that policy interventions should be targeted at improving primarily individual social capital.
Source: Lorenzo Rocco and Marc Suhrcke, Is Social Capital Good for Health? A European perspective, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Aug
An article provided a historical overview of licensing law in Scotland.
Source: James Nicholls, 'Alcohol licensing in Scotland: a historical overview', Addiction, Volume 107 Issue 8
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jul
A report by a committee of peers called for further research to translate the findings of sport/exercise science and medicine into wider public health benefits.
Source: Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine: Building on the Olympic legacy to improve the nation s health, 1st Report (Session 2012–13), HL 33, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jul
An article examined the use of incentives as an instrument in health policy from the perspective of equality. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' incentives – or 'carrots' and 'sticks' – was of limited use in distinguishing between incentive schemes that raised concerns of equality from those that did not.
Source: Kristin Voigt, 'Incentives, health promotion and equality', Health Economics, Policy and Law, Volume 7 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jul
An article examined whether different welfare regimes were associated with health and health inequalities among adolescents, based on data from 32 countries in Europe and North America. Between 4 and 7 per cent of the variation in both health outcomes was attributable to differences between countries and their welfare regimes.
Source: Matthias Richter, Katharina Rathman, Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Alessio Zambon, William Boyce, and Klaus Hurrelmann, 'Welfare state regimes, health and health inequalities in adolescence: a multilevel study in 32 countries', Sociology of Health & Illness, Volume 34 Issue 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs said that recent increases in road fatalities should be a 'wake-up call' for the coalition government to provide stronger leadership on road safety.
Source: Road Safety, Third Report (Session 2012–13), HC 506, House of Commons Transport Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Labour Party press release | Police Federation press release | Sustrans press release
Date: 2012-Jul
An article examined whether social support from the closest person was associated with leisure time physical activity, using data from the British Whitehall II study. The findings suggested that emotional and practical support from the closest person might help people to maintain the recommended level of activity. Practical support also predicted a change towards a more active lifestyle.
Source: Anne Kouvonen, Roberto De Vogli, Mai Stafford, Martin Shipley, Michael Marmot, Tom Cox, Jussi Vahtera, Ari Vaananen, Tarja Heponiemi, Archana Singh-Manoux, and Mika Kivimaki, 'Social support and the likelihood of maintaining and improving levels of physical activity: the Whitehall II Study', European Journal of Public Health, Volume 22 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs said that the coalition government's alcohol strategy was a welcome attempt to address the problems alcohol caused in a coherent way: but its focus on public order overshadowed health issues.
Source: Government s Alcohol Strategy, Third Report (Session 2012–13), HC 132, House of Commons Health Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Addaction press release | Alcohol Policy UK press release | BMA press release | IPA press release | LGA press release | RCP press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Jul
The government began consultation on how the nursery milk scheme operated. It said that 'modernizing' the scheme could save up to £20 million each year, by encouraging childcare providers to seek better value for money.
Source: Next Steps for Nursery Milk? Consultation document, Department of Health
Links: Consultation document | Impact assessment | Equality impact assessment | Hansard | DH press release | Labour Party press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Nursery World report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Jun
An article examined the influence of the alcohol industry on alcohol policy. It highlighted the changing structure of the industry, and summarized what was known about the positions and strategies of industry actors towards alcohol policy. It put forward a new research agenda focused on the role of corporate actors in the field of alcohol policy and public health more broadly.
Source: Benjamin Hawkins, Chris Holden, and Jim McCambridge, 'Alcohol industry influence on UK alcohol policy: a new research agenda for public health', Critical Public Health, Volume 22 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jun
An article said that although studies of the economic burden of diseases provided information about the magnitude of the problem faced, they should not be used as a means of priority-setting. Studies discussing the likelihood of savings as a result of prevention programmes might be distorting the arguments for public health.
Source: Janine Hale, Ceri Phillips, and Tony Jewell, 'Making the economic case for prevention – a view from Wales', BMC Public Health, Volume 12
Date: 2012-Jun
A study examined evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve health literacy in Europe. Most of the interventions identified focused on the functional level of health literacy, and worked at the traditional health education level: there was little evidence of interventions targeted at the interactive or critical levels of health literacy. The report also highlighted a lack of research concerning disadvantaged and 'hard-to-reach' populations.
Source: Maureen D Eath, Margaret Barry, and Jane Sixsmith, A Rapid Evidence Review of Interventions for Improving Health Literacy: Insights into health communication, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jun
The coalition government confirmed that the £2.2 billion of funding for public health would be ring-fenced when it was allocated to local authorities in 2013. Local authorities would be given extra cash for health improvements in their area when they take over responsibility for public health: but they would not receive this top-up money, known as the health premium, until 2015.
Source: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Update on Public Health Funding, Department of Health
Links: Report | DH press release | Public Finance report
Date: 2012-Jun
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government needed to develop a joined-up strategy to change the unhealthy and environmentally damaging food system. It called for stricter advertising limits to protect children from junk food marketing in all media including the internet. Food skills, such as cooking and gardening, should be part of the curriculum in all schools. New national planning policy guidance for local authorities should ensure that communities had access to healthy food and land to grow their own produce.
Source: Sustainable Food, Eleventh Report (Session 2012-13), HC 879, House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | BBC report
Date: 2012-May
An article examined the influence of both informal and formal social capital, at both individual and national level, on health in Europe. Individual formal and informal social capital was positively related to health in almost all countries: but the strength of these associations varies markedly across societies. The health of those who lacked informal social networks as individuals was better in countries with high levels of informal and formal social capital. On the other hand, individuals lacking formal social networks were not compensated by high levels of formal and informal social capital at the national level. Including informal social capital was important to obtain a comprehensive view on the role of contextual social capital as a compensatory source for individuals lacking social networks.
Source: Tim Huijts and Gerbert Kraaykamp, 'Formal and informal social capital and self-rated health in Europe: a new test of accumulation and compensation mechanisms using a multi-level perspective', Acta Sociologica, Volume 55 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-May
An article examined the process of policy-making in public health. Formal executive roles were loosely related to perceived influence and power. Evidence-seeking networks were less coherent, with key organizations not represented. This indicated the importance of collaboration and good relationships between researchers and policy-makers: but few academic researchers with a direct impact on health policy were identified within the networks.
Source: Kathryn Oliver, Martin Everett, Arpana Verma, and Frank de Vocht, 'The human factor: re-organisations in public health policy', Health Policy, Volume 106 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-May
An article said that a 'fat tax' would have to increase the price of unhealthy food and drinks by as much as 20 per cent in order to cut consumption by enough to reduce obesity and other diet-related diseases.
Source: Oliver Mytton, Dushy Clarke, and Mike Rayner, 'Taxing unhealthy food and drinks to improve health', British Medical Journal, 15 May 2012
Links: Abstract | Guardian report
Date: 2012-May
An article examined approaches to developing and supporting lay people in public health roles. Professional support needed to be accompanied by a reorientation of public services to support lay engagement in programme delivery.
Source: Jane South, Angela Meah, and Peter Branney, '"Think differently and be prepared to demonstrate trust": findings from public hearings, England, on supporting lay people in public health roles', Health Promotion International, Volume 27 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-May
An article reviewed evidence from Europe concerning ways to change population levels of physical activity for health. It used a lifespan approach with physical activity behaviour change for children and adolescents, adults, and older adults. Intervention success had been variable – often due to weak fidelity and short-term implementation – and process evaluation was missing from many studies. Nevertheless, evidence pointed to possible behaviour change across all age groups and through multiple settings, including schools, worksites, and the community.
Source: Stuart Biddle, Walter Brehm, Marieke Verheijden, and Marijke Hopman-Rock, 'Population physical activity behaviour change: a review for the European College of Sport Science', European Journal of Sport Science, Volume 12 Issue 4
Links: Article
Date: 2012-May
The Scottish Government announced that the preferred minimum price for alcohol would be 50p per unit, once the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill became law.
Source: Press release 14 May 2012, Scottish Government
Links: Scottish Government press release | Briefing | Addaction press release | BMA press release | RCP press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-May
An article examined the history of public health delivery in England, its transition from local government to National Health Service leadership and back again, and the consequences of that shift in terms of transport policy as a determinant of health and well-being.
Source: Eugene Milne, 'A public health perspective on transport policy priorities', Journal of Transport Geography, Volume 21
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-May
A study found that 9 out of 10 academies were selling pupils junk food – such as crisps, chocolate, and cereal bars – that was banned in maintained schools in order to protect children's health.
Source: Daphne Kaklamanou, Jo Pearce, and Michael Nelson, Food and Academies: A qualitative study, School Food Trust
Links: Report | Summary | SFT press release | NUT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2012-May
A think-tank report said that the coalition government's public health reforms could fail unless the new Health and Wellbeing Boards were given greater legislative powers. The boards needed to be able to influence everything from social care and planning to school immunizations and housing: but there was scepticism among local councils about whether the boards could survive on 'soft power' alone, combined with concerns about a potential lack of public engagement in the work of the new institutions.
Source: Daria Kuznetsova, Healthy Places: Councils leading on public health, New Local Government Network
Links: Report | NLGN press release
Date: 2012-May
A report provided an overview of alcohol policies in Europe. Alcohol was the third most important risk factor for disease and mortality in Europe after tobacco and high blood pressure.
Source: Peter Anderson, Lars Moller, and Gauden Galea (eds.), Alcohol in the European Union: Consumption, harm and policy approaches, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Apr
A study found that there was a 'clear relationship' between cognitive ability in childhood and the odds of taking long-term sick leave as an adult. In view of the fact that long-term sick leave could result in a number of harms (increased chances of living in poverty, loss of dignity, reduced social participation, and premature death), it was suggested that education should form part of the policy response to long-term sickness absence for future generations – equipping children with skills necessary for labour market flexibility might inoculate them from the risk of long-term sickness absence.
Source: Max Henderson, Marcus Richards, Stephen Stansfeld, and Matthew Hotopf, 'The association between childhood cognitive ability and adult long-term sickness absence in three British birth cohorts: a cohort study', British Medical Journal Open, Volume 2 Issue 2
Links: Article | CLS press release
Date: 2012-Apr
A report examined the evidence for the beneficial effects of assets such as social relationships and networks on health and well-being; highlighted many examples and ideas about how to put asset principles into practice; and looked at the issue of evaluation and how to assess whether new ways of working were having an impact.
Source: Jane Foot, What Makes Us Healthy? The asset approach in practice: evidence, action, evaluation, Jane Foot
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Apr
A study found that the school lunches taken by secondary school pupils in 2011 were healthier than those of pupils in 2004. But pupils got a quarter of the recommended daily intake from lunch, rather than the third that was advised.
Source: Secondary School Food Survey 2011, School Food Trust
Links: Report | BBC report
Date: 2012-Apr
An article said that recent governments in England had achieved only 'precarious success' in promoting public health. Failures of public health policy, including poor evaluation and failures to learn from experience, might be more comprehensible by adopting a political analysis of public policy-making in the field concerned.
Source: Rob Baggott, 'Policy success and public health: the case of public health in England', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 41 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Mar
An article examined whether the public health strategy that had been used to tackle smoking in European countries could be useful in fighting obesity. It discussed whether such public health measures were compliant from a human and patients' rights perspective.
Source: Mette Hartlev, 'Healthy ageing – a patients' rights perspective', European Journal of Health Law, Volume 19 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Mar
A new book examined the key models and theories of public health, and the factors that had shaped its history and development. It said that a fundamentally new approach to public health was needed, and explored how this might be achieved.
Source: Phil Hanlon, Sandra Carlisle, Margaret Hannah, and Andrew Lyon, The Future Public Health, Open University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Mar
A report examined alcohol consumption, health outcomes, and action to reduce harm across the European Union, including the latest research on effective alcohol policies.
Source: Peter Anderson, Lars Moller, and Gauden Galea, Alcohol in the European Union. Consumption, harm and policy approaches, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Report | WHO press release
Date: 2012-Mar
The coalition government published an alcohol strategy for England and Wales, including proposals designed to crack down on the 'binge drinking' culture, cut alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder, and reduce the number of people drinking to levels that damaged their health. The strategy included commitments to: introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol; consult on a ban on the sale of multi-buy alcohol discounting; introduce stronger powers for local areas to control the density of licensed premises; and pilot 'sobriety schemes' to challenge alcohol-related offending.
Source: The Government s Alcohol Strategy, Cm 8336, Home Office, TSO
Links: Strategy | Home Office press release | DH press release | HOC research brief | ACPO press release | Addaction press release | Alcohol Policy UK press release | ASA press release | DEF press release | Kings Fund press release | Labour Party press release | LGA press release | Methodist Church press release | Pharmacy Voice press release | RCN press release | RCP press release | ScHARR blog | SNP press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Mar
A briefing paper examined the public debate regarding the possibility of setting a minimum price for alcohol.
Source: John Woodhouse and Philip Ward, A Minimum Price for Alcohol?, Standard Note SN/HA/5021, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2012-Mar
An article examined the role of social capital in building community resilience and health in England, using the 'bonding, bridging, and linking' social capital framework. Most indicators of social capital were significantly associated with neighbourhood deprivation and self-reported health. In particular, bonding and bridging social cohesion, civic participation, heterogeneous socio-economic relationships, and political efficacy/trust appeared important for community health after controlling for neighbourhood deprivation. However, no support was found for the hypothesis that the different aspects help to act as a buffer against the detrimental influences of neighbourhood deprivation.
Source: Wouter Poortinga, 'Community resilience and health: the role of bonding, bridging, and linking aspects of social capital', Health and Place, Volume 18 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Mar
An article examined 'libertarian paternalism' claims that 'nudging' consumers towards healthy food was likely to improve healthy eating and reduce obesity. Nudge interventions could only induce short-term cosmetic behavioural changes likely to work for nutrition-conscious, somewhat informed, or affluent consumers. They failed to address: the structural disadvantages and social constraints that underlay patterns of unhealthy eating; the harmful effects of corporate nudging and advertising; and the negative impact of nudged food choices on social welfare, the environment, and economic inequality. There was a need to combine both non-regulatory and regulatory interventions in order to reduce unhealthy eating.
Source: Alberto Salazar, 'Libertarian paternalism and the dangers of nudging consumers', King's Law Journal, Volume 23 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Mar
A report by a committee of MSPs supported plans for the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol, although it acknowledged scepticism on the part of a minority of committee members.
Source: Stage 1 Report on the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill, 2nd Report 2012, SP Paper 83, Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee
Links: Report | Scottish Parliament press release | BBC report
Date: 2012-Mar
An article examined cost-effectiveness evidence produced to support the development of public health guidance. The majority of public health interventions assessed were found to be highly cost-effective. Commissioners needed to be provided with a framework that allowed information from economic analyses to be combined with other criteria that supported investment decisions at a local level.
Source: Lesley Owen, Antony Morgan, Alastair Fischer, Simon Ellis, Andrew Hoy, and Michael Kelly, 'The cost-effectiveness of public health interventions', Journal of Public Health, Volume 34 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Feb
An article said that despite new regulations (introduced in 2007) children were exposed to the same level of television advertising as previously for unhealthy food products.
Source: Jean Adams, Rachel Tyrrell,, Ashley Adamson, and Martin White, 'Effect of restrictions on television food advertising to children on exposure to advertisements for "less healthy" foods: repeat cross-sectional study', PLoS ONE, Volume 7 Number 2
Links: Abstract | Newcastle University press release | BBC report
Date: 2012-Feb
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on public health. It said that it welcomed the committee's endorsement of the intention to give greater prominence and priority to public health policy.
Source: Government Response to the House of Commons Health Committee Report on Public Health, Cm 8290, Department of Health, TSO
Links: Response
Notes: MPs report (November 2011)
Date: 2012-Feb
An article examined the debate on smoking and stigma. Class provided an essential analytic lens through which to understand the stigma of smoking and the stigmatizing impacts of tobacco control policies.
Source: Hilary Graham, 'Smoking, stigma and social class', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 41 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jan
A report examined the available evidence on the role of transport in increasing levels of physical activity, and thereby improving public health.
Source: Roger Mackett and Belinda Brown, Transport, Physical Activity and Health: Present knowledge and the way ahead, Department for Transport
Links: Report | Living Streets press release
Date: 2012-Jan
A report by a committee of MPs said that guidelines on safe alcohol consumption were confusing, and should be revised.
Source: Alcohol Guidelines, Eleventh Report (Session 2010-12), HC 1536, House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Additional written evidence | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Jan
The coalition government published a public health outcomes framework for England, for the period 2013-2016. The two 'high-level' outcomes were: increasing healthy life expectancy; and reducing differences in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy between communities.
Source: Improving Outcomes and Supporting Transparency, Department of Health
Links: Framework (part 1) | Framework (part 2) | Summary | Hansard | DH press release | NTA press release | CIEH press release | CMH press release | FPH press release | Kings Fund press release | LGA press release | RCN press release | RSPH press release | THT press release | Turning Point press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Jan
