Children’s oral health in England is in crisis, with thousands of children across the country suffering from dental caries, the most prevalent and prominent form of dental disease. In response, the government has promised measures to tackle dental health inequalities. But how can policymakers best implement this plan to ensure it has the desired impact? […]
From mental health to maternal health: understanding the link
It is increasingly recognised that women’s health needs are under-resourced, under-researched, and under-funded. But what happens to women for whom multiple health needs overlap? Here, Dr Holly Hope, Dr Rohna Kearney, and Professor Kathryn Abel outline their research into the reproductive health outcomes of women with mental illness, and what is needed from policy and […]
Culture shift: Tackling antimicrobial resistance from agriculture to operating table
In 2019, drug resistant microbial infections claimed more than 1.3 million lives, and over the next 25 years, it is expected that more people will die from drug resistant infections than from cancer. New antimicrobials and alternatives to traditional chemotherapeutic agents are urgently needed to treat infections that are resistant to all current therapies, alongside […]
Long in the tooth: is water fluoridation out of date?
One ongoing intervention to tackle tooth decay in parts of the UK is the provision of fluoride in drinking water. But such moves aren’t always popular with the communities involved. There is also a lack of evidence based on contemporary populations. Here, Dr Michaela Goodwin and Professor Michael Kelly outline the findings of a new […]
Global partnerships: How can international research collaborations boost our health and economy?
The University of Manchester is a founding partner of the Kenya-UK Healthcare Alliance, which aims to share best practice and reciprocal training between the two nations, particularly in the area of cancer care. In this article, from our On Cancer publication, Professor Keith Brennan, Dr F. George Njoroge, and Professor Rob Bristow outline how these […]
Saving lives and money through early detection: Lynch syndrome case study
A new national standard for cancer testing in England and Wales (NICE ‘Diagnostic Guidance 42’) was published in October 2020, following a successful policy engagement campaign from Professor Emma Crosbie’s team at The University of Manchester, and Policy@Manchester. In this piece, adapted from our On Cancer publication, Professor Crosbie explains why this is just the […]
Data directly from our patients: Is improving patient data the key to better cancer care?
To provide the best care and support for cancer patients during and after treatment, it is essential to collect and work with data that captures patient experiences and patient-reported outcomes. But data is not a simple subject. The way healthcare services work with data, and how we work with patients to collect it, must be […]
Advanced radiotherapies: What are the challenges and opportunities?
Advanced radiotherapies are redefining the kinds of cancer treatment that are possible. These developments are exciting, but they also present new challenges. One challenge for researchers and clinicians is how to support policymakers, tasked with developing treatment and care standards across the NHS. So, what are these new treatments, what do they mean for patient […]
Disadvantage and disease: finding solutions to inequalities in cancer
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed focus to the great health inequalities between different communities in our society. Looking at cancer care, these inequalities exist across the whole cancer pathway from uptake in screening, likelihood to present early with symptoms, participation in clinical trials, diagnosis and access to treatments. In this blog, from our On […]
Too close to the sun: The health benefits and economic case for banning sunbeds
Melanoma skin cancers are the UK’s fifth most common cancer, causing over 2,000 deaths each year. Over 85% of cases are preventable, with excessive exposure to ultraviolet light the most common cause, including the ultraviolet light used in sunbeds. The cancer risk from sunbeds is well known, but a new study has outlined the stark […]