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Public health news: September 2005
School dinners set to improve
29 September 2005
Following a high profile campaign and TV series by chef Jamie Oliver the
Education Secretary has announced minimum dietary standards for school food
in the UK.
Junk food to
be banned in schools (BBC News, September 2005)
Transcript of Ruth Kelly's speech (Labour.org.uk, September 2005)
Feed me better - Jamie Oliver's
campaign
DfES school
lunch standards
Large E coli outbreak in South Wales continues
26 September 2005
An outbreak of E coli has so far affected 117 individuals, many of them
schoolchildren.
E coli parents
demand inquiry (BBC News, September 2005)
22 September 2005
An 8 year-old boy in Indonesia has been confirmed by the WHO reference
lab in Hong Kong to have H5N1 avian influenza. So far, though, there
is still no evidence of easy transmission between humans.
Avian influenza - situation in Indonesia - update 31 (WHO, September
2005)
Situation updates - Avian influenza (WHO, September 2005)
Flu pandemic planning (internal link)
21 September 2005
The UK Department of Health has issued detailed advice on supply and
distribution of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) in the event of a flu pandemic.
Contrary to initial guesses that the drug would be used prophylactically
(e.g. in health workers), it is now suggested that its primary use should be
in the treatment of individuals displaying signs or symptoms consistent with
flu, to try to reduce further spread.
UK operational framework for stockpiling, distributing and using antivirals
(DH, September 2005)
BNF:
Oseltamivir (British National Formulary, BNF 50)
Bird flu (H5N1) infection spreading (internal link)
Flu pandemic planning (internal link)
Primary prevention is best
20 September 2005
A study in this week's BMJ attributes three-quarters of the decline seen
in cardiovascular mortality in the last two decades to primary prevention -
principally smoking cessation in people with no known heart disease - and
only a quarter to preventative strategies in patients with known ischaemic
heart disease. The authors highlight the ongoing need to restrict
tobacco advertising and sponsorship and encourage healthy lifestyles in
everyone.
Unal et al. BMJ (2005) 331: 614 (BMJ online, September 2005)
DH launches major public consultation
14 September 2005
The Department of Health has started a major consultation on self-care
and access to NHS services entitled 'Your health, Your care, Your say'
involving public meetings around the country and an online questionnaire.
'Your say' public consultation kicks off in NE (DH, September 2005)
'Your health,
Your care, Your say' questionnaire (DH, September 2005)
US-style forums to
reform NHS (BBC News, September 2005)
6 September 2005
Results from the NORVIT study found that vitamin B6 and folic acid
started in the first week following MI may increase the risk of heart attack
and stroke by one-fifth. It was hoped the homocysteine-lowering effect
of folate may reduce cardiovascular risk. Results for B6 or folate alone
were not significant.
The use of vitamin B12 (not B6) and folic acid at least 3 months post-MI
is being investigated by the SEARCH study at CTSU, where I currently work.
Warning over high doses of vitamin B (Telegraph.co.uk, September 2005)
More information on SEARCH study (internal
link)
A/C > B/D
4 September 2005
New results from the Ascot trial suggest that there is a significant
benefit associated with taking ACE-inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers
in patients with hypertension, compared with beta-blockers and diuretics.
Modern drugs
'halve stroke risk' (BBC News, September 2005)
Public Health emergency in New Orleans
1 September 2005
Following Hurricane Katrina's onslaught, New Orleans is struggling to
cope with high water levels and devastation of its infrastructure.
Although a lot of attention has been paid to the loss of electricity, mobile
phone network and internet access, it is the lack of drinking water which
will be the main problem over the next few days. In addition, many
healthcare facilities have been affected by the floodwaters, hampering
relief efforts.
Public health threat looms in coming days (CNN, September 2005)