Night shift work has been a common feature of industrial economies for decades, and it has long been known that working through the night can negatively impact upon health. In recent years, the evidence base about these health impacts has expanded considerably. Here, Professor David Ray introduces this evidence and highlights how employers and policymakers […]
Can cancer services be sexist? Rectifying a gender disparity in cancer screening practices.
Lynch syndrome is a common and inherited condition that puts those affected by it at risk of numerous cancers. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended all bowel cancers be screened so as to pick up Lynch syndrome; a move that will undoubtedly save lives. However, for many women, womb cancer […]
Is the conflation of ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ skewing the pesticides debate?
The debate over the safety and impact of pesticides – and especially the weedkiller glyphosate – is littered with ignorance of available statistics, conceptual confusion and misuse of statistical methods, writes Ian Plewis, Emeritus Professor of Social Statistics at The University of Manchester. The evidence indicates that the risks from glyphosate are small once typical […]
Preventing cancer – everyone’s challenge
On the eve of World Cancer Day, Arpana Verma, Julia Mueller, Annet Nakaganda and Angela Spencer lay out the importance of promoting the prevention and early detection of cancer in policy and in practice. Nine out of ten cancers are due to the lifestyle choices we make Governments need to prioritise public health policies and responsibility […]
VIDEO BLOG: The opportunities of health devolution
In light of the newly announced investment in research and development of cancer medicines, Professor Ian Greer talks about Greater Manchester’s devolved health and social care budget and the opportunities this brings for linking up discovery science with clinics and commissioners across the region.
New approach needed to tackle ‘lifestyle diseases’
The Change4Life campaign just launched by NHS England is the latest attempt to persuade people to adopt healthier lifestyles. But, says Dr Stanley Blue, this type of public health campaign is not enough to tackle fast rising rates of ‘lifestyle diseases’. Current public health policy is focussed on getting people to change their eating, drinking […]
Do we need a ‘new settlement’ with Europe – or just a better sausage factory?
In seeking a ‘new settlement’ with the European Union (EU), the UK government is ignoring the existing rules and procedures that should already govern law making, argues Clive Bates. Here he focuses on a current example, the regulation of e-cigarettes, highlights the broader faults in the current process and offers some solutions. Otto Von Bismark […]
Electronic cigarettes: public health problem or potential solution?
The use of electronic cigarettes in the UK continues to grow, posing complex challenges for regulators and public health policymakers alike. Current debates represent a struggle over whether e-cigs will ultimately be viewed as a trusted medicine, an everyday consumer product or a problematic recreational drug, writes Dr Catriona Rooke. In June the UK medicines […]