The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a new study "Does money in adulthood affect adult outcomes?"
There is ample evidence that adults with lower incomes tend to have worse outcomes including worse
health, lower life expectancy and lower subjective wellbeing than
individuals with more. But is money in adulthood itself important? Or are these relationships driven by other factors such as higher levels
of education, underlying personality traits or the long-term impact of
childhood circumstances?
This study reviews the evidence, focusing on
research that tested whether the relationship between money and outcomes
in adulthood is causal.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Mexxy, Black Mamba & Other 'Legal Highs' To Be Banned
The Home Office has announced that a number of so-called ‘legal highs’ will become illegal Class B drugs.
Following advice from the government's independent drug experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), new synthetic cannabinoids (such as those sold under the name 'Black Mamba') and methoxetamine (sold as Mexxy) and its related compounds will be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The decision comes days after the ACMD recommended banning the substances because of their health and social harms. Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremy Browne said: 'High quality scientific advice is vital to the government's ongoing work to tackle harmful drug use. The independent advice we receive from the ACMD is critical to our evidence-based drugs policy.
'People who take 'legal highs' are taking serious risks with their lives because often they do not know what they are taking and the drugs may contain harmful substances.'
Since March this year, methoxetamine has been subject of the UK's first temporary class drug order (TCDO) following advice from the ACMD. It will remain a temporary class drug until parliament approves its classification. In its advice on methoxetamine the ACMD has indicated that the temporary ban may have had 'real and immediate impact on tackling internet sales of methoxetamine with a significant proportion of UK websites ceasing to advertise its sale.'
The government has also agreed to implement the ACMD's other recommendations on these substances including updating public health information on the drugs awareness website Frank.
Following advice from the government's independent drug experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), new synthetic cannabinoids (such as those sold under the name 'Black Mamba') and methoxetamine (sold as Mexxy) and its related compounds will be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The decision comes days after the ACMD recommended banning the substances because of their health and social harms. Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremy Browne said: 'High quality scientific advice is vital to the government's ongoing work to tackle harmful drug use. The independent advice we receive from the ACMD is critical to our evidence-based drugs policy.
'People who take 'legal highs' are taking serious risks with their lives because often they do not know what they are taking and the drugs may contain harmful substances.'
Since March this year, methoxetamine has been subject of the UK's first temporary class drug order (TCDO) following advice from the ACMD. It will remain a temporary class drug until parliament approves its classification. In its advice on methoxetamine the ACMD has indicated that the temporary ban may have had 'real and immediate impact on tackling internet sales of methoxetamine with a significant proportion of UK websites ceasing to advertise its sale.'
The government has also agreed to implement the ACMD's other recommendations on these substances including updating public health information on the drugs awareness website Frank.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Middle-Aged Men At Highest Risk Of Suicide
Statistics reveal that middle-aged men are now the group at highest risk of committing suicide in England.
Charities said better support was key to cutting rates further. It is 10 years since the government published its last strategy to tackle suicide rates. Overall the rate of suicides has fallen - but there has been a slight increase in recent years.
The strategy says the current economic problems are likely to have a bearing on rates. particularly in middle-aged men.
"Previously, periods of high unemployment or severe economic problems have had an adverse effect on the mental health of the population and have been associated with higher rates of suicide," it stated.
"Evidence is emerging of an impact of the current recession on suicides in affected countries."
The government is promising £1.5m for research into how to tackle suicide in at-risk groups. Aside from middle-aged men, these include people with mental health problems and those with a history of self-harm.
Strategies to reduce the risk of suicide include reducing access to suicide-related internet sites for children and reducing the opportunity for suicide for people in prisons or mental health facilities.
The government has also promised better information and support for those bereaved or affected by suicide.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Monday, 30 July 2012
UK Teenagers Shun Drugs For A Healthier Lifestyle
Teenagers in England are shunning drink and drugs for a cleaner lifestyle, say health officials. A survey of 6,500 children aged between 11 and 15 showed the numbers taking drugs, smoking and drinking alcohol had all fallen over the past decade.
A Report by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre found 17% had tried drugs at least once in 2011, compared with 29% in 2001. The team said youngsters appeared to be living increasingly healthy lifestyles.
The survey, which questions a selection of children at English secondary schools, is carried out every year to monitor reported use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. The latest poll, carried out between September and December last year, found the number of children at each age who said they had taken drugs in the preceding 12 months was down.
Among 15-year-olds, the number fell from 39% in 2001 to 23% in 2011. Only 3% of 11-year-olds had taken drugs.
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug, although its was also down. The survey also found the proportion of 11-to-15-year-olds smoking was the lowest since the polling began in 1982, and the number of "regular" smokers had halved in the past decade. Five per cent said they smoked at least one cigarette a week compared with 10% in 2001. Just 25% said they had tried cigarettes at least once.
The proportion drinking alcohol at least once has dropped to under half - 45%, compared with 61% per cent in 2001. Only 7% reported drinking regularly, down from 20% 10 years ago.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, said: "The report shows that pupils appear to be leading an increasingly clean-living lifestyle and are less likely to take drugs as well as cigarettes and alcohol.
"All this material will be of immense interest to those who work with young people and aim to steer them towards a healthier way of life."
Siobhan McCann, of the charity Drinkaware, said: "While the decline in the number of children trying alcohol is good news, the report still shows there are 360,000 young people who reported drinking alcohol in the last week alone."
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
A Report by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre found 17% had tried drugs at least once in 2011, compared with 29% in 2001. The team said youngsters appeared to be living increasingly healthy lifestyles.
The survey, which questions a selection of children at English secondary schools, is carried out every year to monitor reported use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. The latest poll, carried out between September and December last year, found the number of children at each age who said they had taken drugs in the preceding 12 months was down.
Among 15-year-olds, the number fell from 39% in 2001 to 23% in 2011. Only 3% of 11-year-olds had taken drugs.
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug, although its was also down. The survey also found the proportion of 11-to-15-year-olds smoking was the lowest since the polling began in 1982, and the number of "regular" smokers had halved in the past decade. Five per cent said they smoked at least one cigarette a week compared with 10% in 2001. Just 25% said they had tried cigarettes at least once.
The proportion drinking alcohol at least once has dropped to under half - 45%, compared with 61% per cent in 2001. Only 7% reported drinking regularly, down from 20% 10 years ago.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, said: "The report shows that pupils appear to be leading an increasingly clean-living lifestyle and are less likely to take drugs as well as cigarettes and alcohol.
"All this material will be of immense interest to those who work with young people and aim to steer them towards a healthier way of life."
Siobhan McCann, of the charity Drinkaware, said: "While the decline in the number of children trying alcohol is good news, the report still shows there are 360,000 young people who reported drinking alcohol in the last week alone."
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Elderly Denied NHS Care Can Sue
Age discrimination by NHS hospitals is to be outlawed, ministers have announced.
This will not mean patients can demand any treatment they want. Care decisions will still be judged according to clinical need by doctors. But NHS staff will have a legal duty to consider wellbeing and dignity.
You can read the full story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18407768
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Experts Warn Health Risks of Cannabis 'Underestimated'
Experts are warning that the public dangerously underestimates the health risks linked to smoking cannabis.
The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health. And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher.
Latest figures show that 30% of 16-59 year-olds in England and Wales have used cannabis in their lifetimes.
A new report from the BLF says there are established scientific links between smoking cannabis and tuberculosis, acute bronchitis and lung cancer. Part of the reason for this, say the experts, is that people smoking cannabis take deeper puffs and hold them for longer than when smoking tobacco cigarettes.
Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the BLF said: "It is alarming that, while new research continues to reveal the multiple health consequences of smoking cannabis, there is still a dangerous lack of public awareness of quite how harmful this drug can be.
"This is not a niche problem - cannabis is one of the most widely-used recreational drugs in the UK, with almost a third of the population having tried it.
"We therefore need a serious public health campaign - of the kind that has helped raise awareness of the dangers of eating fatty foods or smoking tobacco - to finally dispel the myth that smoking cannabis is somehow a safe pastime."
The BLF's report says there should be a public education programme to raise awareness of the impact of smoking cannabis and increased investment in research into the health consequences of its use.
The full report: The Impact of Cannabis on Your Lungs, which covers both the health risks and includes statistics on its use in the UK is freely available to download here.
The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health. And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher.
Latest figures show that 30% of 16-59 year-olds in England and Wales have used cannabis in their lifetimes.
A new report from the BLF says there are established scientific links between smoking cannabis and tuberculosis, acute bronchitis and lung cancer. Part of the reason for this, say the experts, is that people smoking cannabis take deeper puffs and hold them for longer than when smoking tobacco cigarettes.
Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the BLF said: "It is alarming that, while new research continues to reveal the multiple health consequences of smoking cannabis, there is still a dangerous lack of public awareness of quite how harmful this drug can be.
"This is not a niche problem - cannabis is one of the most widely-used recreational drugs in the UK, with almost a third of the population having tried it.
"We therefore need a serious public health campaign - of the kind that has helped raise awareness of the dangers of eating fatty foods or smoking tobacco - to finally dispel the myth that smoking cannabis is somehow a safe pastime."
The BLF's report says there should be a public education programme to raise awareness of the impact of smoking cannabis and increased investment in research into the health consequences of its use.
The full report: The Impact of Cannabis on Your Lungs, which covers both the health risks and includes statistics on its use in the UK is freely available to download here.
Monday, 28 May 2012
NHS Hospitals Told To Do More For The Homeless
NHS hospitals are being urged to do more to help homeless patients, in a report commissioned by the government.
The report acknowledges that some staff feel that patients' housing needs are beyond the remit of hospitals. But it says a more intensive approach to the homeless can cut the cost of them repeatedly turning up as emergency cases. The report, by Homeless Link and St Mungo's, quotes the example of a special team at University College Hospital (UCH) in London which has helped save £100,000.
Homeless patients are thought to cost at least five times as much as other patients, because they often have multiple health problems and repeated admissions. NHS hospitals are being told to identify homeless patients quickly, and involve housing teams or hostels in their care - rather than discharging them back onto the streets.
You can read more on this story at the BBC News site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18210825
The full report is available here: Helping Homeless People Regain Their Health: Our Vision For A Better NHS
The report acknowledges that some staff feel that patients' housing needs are beyond the remit of hospitals. But it says a more intensive approach to the homeless can cut the cost of them repeatedly turning up as emergency cases. The report, by Homeless Link and St Mungo's, quotes the example of a special team at University College Hospital (UCH) in London which has helped save £100,000.
Homeless patients are thought to cost at least five times as much as other patients, because they often have multiple health problems and repeated admissions. NHS hospitals are being told to identify homeless patients quickly, and involve housing teams or hostels in their care - rather than discharging them back onto the streets.
You can read more on this story at the BBC News site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18210825
The full report is available here: Helping Homeless People Regain Their Health: Our Vision For A Better NHS
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Response To The Cross-Government Consultation On The Definition Of Domestic Violence
The Office of the Children's Commissioner has published a response to the cross-government consultation on the definition of domestic violence.
The response is based on: Emerging evidence from the Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups; Research into children’s experience of risk and child protection; Research into the mental health needs of children in the youth justice system; Internal expertise across safeguarding, child abuse, domestic violence, health and serious youth violence, held at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
The response is freely available to download here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_568
The response is based on: Emerging evidence from the Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups; Research into children’s experience of risk and child protection; Research into the mental health needs of children in the youth justice system; Internal expertise across safeguarding, child abuse, domestic violence, health and serious youth violence, held at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
The response is freely available to download here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_568
Social Determinants Of Health & Well-being Among Young People
The World Health Organisation has published a new report which looks at how health and well-being inschool-aged children in determined by their social circumstances.
The report gives the results of the 2009/2010 HBSC survey, covering 39 countries and regions across the European Region and North America. It collected data from 11, 13 and 15-year-olds on 60 topics related to their health and well-being, social environments and behaviour. Responding to the survey, the young people described their social context (relations with family, peers and school), physical health and satisfaction with life, health behaviours (patterns of eating, tooth brushing and physical activity) and risk behaviours (use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, sexual behaviour, fighting and bullying). Statistical analyses were carried out to identify meaningful differences in the prevalence of health and social indicators by gender, age group and levels of family affluence.
The report is available to view here: http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/Life-stages/child-and-adolescent-health/publications/2012/social-determinants-of-health-and-well-being-among-young-people.-health-behaviour-in-school-aged-children-hbsc-study
The report gives the results of the 2009/2010 HBSC survey, covering 39 countries and regions across the European Region and North America. It collected data from 11, 13 and 15-year-olds on 60 topics related to their health and well-being, social environments and behaviour. Responding to the survey, the young people described their social context (relations with family, peers and school), physical health and satisfaction with life, health behaviours (patterns of eating, tooth brushing and physical activity) and risk behaviours (use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, sexual behaviour, fighting and bullying). Statistical analyses were carried out to identify meaningful differences in the prevalence of health and social indicators by gender, age group and levels of family affluence.
The report is available to view here: http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/Life-stages/child-and-adolescent-health/publications/2012/social-determinants-of-health-and-well-being-among-young-people.-health-behaviour-in-school-aged-children-hbsc-study
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Outcomes for Looked After Children as at 31st March 2011
Outcomes for children looked after as at 31 March 2011. Department for Education.
Outcomes reported include education, health, offending and substance misuse. For the first time this year, it also includes information to show performance against the new Impact Indicator for attainment gaps for looked after children. This indicator includes a change to the definition previously used to monitor the attainment of looked after children and covers children who have been continuously looked after for at least 6 months - those who would be eligible for the pupil premium payment.
Published 14 December 2011
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001046/index.shtml
Outcomes reported include education, health, offending and substance misuse. For the first time this year, it also includes information to show performance against the new Impact Indicator for attainment gaps for looked after children. This indicator includes a change to the definition previously used to monitor the attainment of looked after children and covers children who have been continuously looked after for at least 6 months - those who would be eligible for the pupil premium payment.
Published 14 December 2011
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001046/index.shtml
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
New Government Consultation Documents on Information & Choice within the NHS
The Secretary of State for Health has just published two new consultation documents about the NHS. These are: "Liberating the NHS: An Information Revolution" and "Liberating the NHS: Greater Choice and Control". The documents set out more of the government's vision of "putting patients first" as set out in the White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". They are about providing people with better information about health and social care services to improve outcomes. Links to these documents and further information may be found at: Liberating the NHS.
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