Wednesday 15 December 2010

UK - Unhealthiest Nation in Europe?
 

Startling figures from the Association of Public Health Observatories reveal that the UK is the fattest EU member with the highest rates of teen pregnancies and the worse rates of female cancer survival and infant deaths. 

The report indicated that the West Midlands, has the highest percentage of obese adults standing at 29% (double the EU average of 14%) and higher than the average in Greater London of 19%.  

Similarly female cancer rate deaths in South East England were reported at 185 per 100,000, with North East England at 174 per 100,000.  Europe on the other hand has an average of 139.5 per 100,000. 

Although these figures may have altered slightly since the data was collected, it still provides a snap shot of the public health issues in England and highlights areas that need to be addressed.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, public health expert, said the report highlighted "stark differences" in health across the EU.
"The behaviours that lead to obesity and teenage pregnancy, for example, arise from social conditions.
"This knowledge informs what we as a society can do at a local, regional, national and international level to create the conditions for greater health equity."

The Good News
Despite the figures highlighted above, evidence suggests that the picture is not all gloom.  Firstly, due to early smoking interventions, authors of the report point out that this has had a very positive impact on health outcomes.  Additionally, life expectancy rates in the UK are slightly better than Europe and we perform well at treating heart disease. 

Dr Claire Bradford who compiled the report said, "This type of data allows us to compare not just between countries but within countries and to look at what is going well and what is not.

"People that are able to influence which way we are going as a nation should look at this to decide on priorities and actions."

Clearly, there is still much to be done to tackle the obesity rates and social determinants of health in the UK.  Governments, local authorities, communities and individuals need to take responsibility and work together to improve health and bring about a positive change. 

The RSPH currently run a "Foundation Programme in Health Improvement" course, which offers candidates the opportunity of developing a firm foundation in health improvement . The programme is especially useful for those new to concepts of Public Health and Health Improvement who wish to gain a quick grasp and knowledge of this area.  For further information please contact Nicolette Smith


Friday 10 December 2010

Family Champion - Encouraging Families To Work

The governments new public health White Paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People, emphasises the many benefits of being in work.  The paper draws on evidence reported in Dame Carol Black's Review of the Health of Britain's Working Age Population which states that being in work leads to better physical and mental health and could save the the UK up to £100 billion a year by reducing working age ill health.  Black's review also highlights that being in work is in general good for health and self esteem, and can help alleviate poverty.  In an effort to encourage and help people into work, central and local government will support economic growth and make it pay to work through reforming the welfare system.

One of the initiatives that has been introduced by the government is the "Family Champion".  The idea behind the Family Champion is to work with troubled families with long-term unemployment, and help ease them back into the working sphere.  Some of the families will never have worked before.  The work of the Family Champion will not only consist of providing support and sign posting services, but also help to change the culture and mind set of families. 

Emma Harrison of A4e was today appointed "family champion" by the government.  In an interview on the Radio 4 Today programme Harrison claimed that she wanted to turn all families with long term unemployment into "working families".  Someone will be appointed to work with each familiy and will be referred to as "Emmas" by the government.  Harrison stated that she has already begun working with six families, of which one had never ever worked.  However, within a day the family were participating in voluntary work.  This Harrison believed, helped them gain pride, confidence and a sense of purpose.





 

Thursday 9 December 2010

MHF/Mind mental health practice guide to launch in January

The MHF and Mind joint conference Achieving effective practice in male mental health will take place in London in January 2011. Visitors to this website are entitled to a 20% discount - just quote MHF50 when booking.

This conference, which is on 11 January 2011 at the ORT House Conference Centre, London NW1, will see the launch of the Guide to Effective Practice in Male Mental Health commissioned by the National Mental Health Development Unit from Mind and the MHF.
Key speakers include the two co-authors MHF policy officer David Wilkins and Marian Kemple who was previously Policy and Campaigns Officer at Mind as well as Melba Wilson who is the national programme lead for the Mental Health Equalities Programme at the National Mental Health Development Unit.
Delegate places also include a free year’s subscription to Mental Health Today magazine.

To Download the flyer and booking form please click here

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Obese Pregnant Women - The Health Risks

In a study carried out by the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE) "Maternal Obesity in the UK: Findings from a national Project" reveals that one in twenty women are seriously obese when they become pregnant putting their health and that of their baby at risk.

In 2008 the CMACE commenced a three year UK wide Obesity in Pregnancy project.  The project was initiated because of the growing concerns surrounding obesity and the challenge facing maternity services today.  These concerns included i) growing evidence that obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for both mother and baby, ii) that women with obesity were over represented among those who died of direct deaths compared to those who died of indirect deaths, iii) the need for clinical guidance for the care of women with obesity in pregnancy.

The study looked at women who had a body mass index of 35 or more, with 18 to 25 classed as healthy, 25
30 classed as overweight and 30 to 35 obese.  A woman of average 5'5 height would weigh at least 15 stone or 95 kgs to have a BMI of 35 and be classed as severely obese. 

Evidence derived from the report highlighted that women with obesity have an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications and adverse outcomes compared to women with a healthy BMI.  These primarily include higher levels of fetal abnormality, hypertensive disorders, blood pressure problems, diabetes thrombosis, induction of labour, caesarean section and neonatal death.  The report highlighted that stillbirth rate was twice as high for women with a BMI of 35 or more and they were four times as likely to suffer a haemorrhage after birth. 

However, the report also revealed that despite the large number of obese women, maternity units are "under prepared" and do not have the necessary resources to care for obese pregnant women.  It was reported that there is a lack of extra wide wheelchairs, examination couches, trolleys and beds.  With almost one in five obstetric units not having operating tables to bear the extra weight.

Dr Imogen Stephens, CMACE Clinical Director said: “This CMACE report shows that much more needs to be done in the NHS to deal with the growing numbers of obese pregnant women."

"The findings from this new study show that the risks of clinical intervention increase with increasing levels of obesity and that specialist obstetric care is needed. All this requires improved, and better integrated, care for these women”. 

However, the CMACE report also recommended that GP's and primary care health professionals need to do more to encourage women to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle before they conceive. 

Dr Tony Falconer, President of the Royal College if Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said: “Pregnant women who are obese need to know about the associated risks for them and their baby and must be supported to lose weight before they embark on pregnancy. This will involve counselling and advice from a range of healthcare professionals including GPs, midwives, maternity support workers and nutritionists.
"We need to think about being more proactive by encouraging and enabling women to lead healthier lives before they fall pregnant and after giving birth so that they take a more long-term approach to being healthy."

Professor Cathy Warwick, General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives said “There is wider and long-term public health message here. There is a real need to reduce obesity in the population as a whole, tackling the issue before women become pregnant.”

To read the full CMACE report please click here

Tuesday 7 December 2010


A new study published by the Bristol Community Trust (BCFT) and the Centre for Social Justice, found that nearly one in two children born today will experience family breakdown by the age of 16. 

The latest figures from the report titled "Family breakdown in the UK : It's not about divorce" reveals that there has been a ten percent increase in family breakdown over the past decade to forty-eight percent.  The report concludes that divorce is not the main cause for family breakdown and that in fact it only contributed to twenty percent of break-ups.    

Gavin Poole, executive director of the CJS says that "these new figures underline the alarming and growing level of family breakdown in the UK.  This imposes huge costs on society - both in terms of human unhappiness and financial burdens." 
It has been documented that children from broken homes not only perform less well at school but are more likely to turn to drugs, alcohol and crime. 

Harry Benson, author of the report and director of the BCFT, believes that the new findings demonstrate the need for policy solutions focused on improving stability among unmarried new parents.  These include re establishing the need for and importance of marriage, as well as prioritising a national programme of relationship education.

The BCFT have been running a relationship programme locally, "lets stick together" that has succeeded in helping 30 percent of all new parents.  However Gavin Poole proposes that more needs to be done nationally to help strengthen relationships "new steps such as tax breaks for marriage and far better relationship education, should be taken by Ministers and society at large to reverse these worrying social trends."

For a copy of the report click here

Monday 6 December 2010

Quitting Smoking Can Make You Feel Happier

The notion that smoking helps relieves emotions such as anxiety and depression is a myth, say researchers at Brown University.  People are known to smoke when they are feeling stressed in an attempt to relieve tension.  However a study published in the Nicotine & Tobacco Research, indicates that people who are in the process of giving up smoking have never felt happier!

Christopher Kahler, corresponding author of "Time-Varying Smoking Abstinence Predicts Lower Depressive Symptoms Following Smoking Cessation Treatment" says smokers thinking of quitting should be encouraged by the double benefit - both physical and mental.  Not only will giving up smoking improve your physical health but evidence suggests that your mental health is also likely to improve.  Therefore, stopping smoking is far from a psychological nightmare done to live longer, Kahler added.

Kahler noted that "The assumption has often been that people might smoke because it has anti-depressant properties and that if they quit it might unmask a depressive episode.  What's surprising is that at the time when you measure smokers' mood, even if they've only succeeded for a little while, they are already reporting less symptoms of depression."

Scientists at the Peninsula Medical School in the UK, in a study called the English Longitudinal Study of Agingassessed the wellbeing of nearly 10,000 people over the age of 50.  It was found that smokers in that group reported lower average levels of pleasure and less satisfaction with their lives than the non smokers.   The lead researcher on the team, Iain Lang, reported that smokers feel pleasure when they initially light up.  But that's because they're feeding their addiction.  Overall they're not any happier than non smokers.  In fact, they're less so.

For more information on ways to quit smoking click here.



 

Friday 3 December 2010

Have your say on the development of Competencies and Professional Standards for Health Promotion Capacity Building in Europe (CompHP project)

The CompHP Project, funded by the European Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC), aims to develop competency-based standards and an accreditation system for health promotion practice, education and training that will positively impact on workforce capacity to deliver public health improvement in Europe. The project uses consensus-building approach to establish means and methods by which quality governance standards in Health Promotion can be implemented across Europe to stimulate innovation and best practice.

As part of the project, an online consultation on Draft 4 of the Core Competencies Framework will be running until 10th December 2010.

The feedback from this round of consultation will be used to inform the final draft of the CompHP Core Competencies Framework which will be published as a handbook in early 2011.

To participate in the consultation please read Draft 4 of the CompHP Core Competencies Framework and then give your feedback answering a short questionnaire and using the online open discussion hosted by IUHPE


For more information about the ComHP project please visit the website 
You can also follow the latest developments of the CompHP project trough the social networks:
Twitter   

Please Nelly Araujo and let us know your feedback and any events or news that you consider might be relevant to colleagues working in health promotion.

Thursday 2 December 2010

Raising Awareness for World Aids Day


Yesterday, December 1st 2010 was World Aids Day.  World Aids Day, which has been running for 22 years, is about raising awareness, improving education and getting rid of prejudice.  The theme for this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights" and is essential for reminding people that HIV is still very much in existence and that there are many things still to be done.



The Facts
Currently in the UK more people than ever are living with HIV and every year new infections occur.
Figures from UNAIDS reveal that over the past ten years people living with HIV has trebled in the UK.  There are more than 90,000 people who have HIV, of which two thirds are men and one third are women.  Over a quarter of people with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed.  Globally the picture is the same, with HIV cases rising each year.  There is an estimated 33.3 million people living with HIV worldwide, including 2.5 million children.  Last year, statistics indicated that 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and around 1.8 million people died from AIDS.


Consequently, leaders around the world have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care and these are now perceived as fundamental human rights.  It is believed that by promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free of discrimination.  


In raising awareness about sexually transmitted infections, the RSPH are running a introductory course on Sexual Health and Young people.  The one day event will consider issues related to the sexual health needs of young people, as well as equipping participants with the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and how best to incorporate talking about sex and relationships into everyday working practice.

For further information on the one day course click here  or contact Nicolette Smith

For further information on World Aids Day click here

Tuesday 30 November 2010

"Nudging" us to a Healthier Lifestyle

The Government is adopting a new approach to health.  There is to be a move away from direct government intervention, to what is known as the "nudge" approach, in an attempt to make the nation think and act in a healthier way.  

One of the steps being taken is to put councils in charge of encouraging healthier lifestyles, by moving local public health directors out of the NHS and into local government.  It is believed that the wider remit of councils in areas such as housing, leisure and transport, will place them in a stronger position to address health issues such as smoking, drinking and obesity in England.   

The Department of Health's White Paper will also propose creating a new public health service, which will provide advice and support on health protection, treatment and nutrition, as well as setting up a health inclusion unit to ensure measures are in place to tackle health inequalities.  

The public health White Paper will also say the key to encouraging healthier behaviour lies in creating the right environment and then "nudging" people into making different choices.   Signifying a move towards less regulation and creating a climate to encourage healthier behaviour.  Some of the schemes that will be introduced in the new year may include, free vouchers for the gym, incentivising children to walk to school and providing more support to nurses and health visitors to encourage new mothers to breastfeed. 

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary believes the new system will have a "real impact on improving health"
He added: "Health is not just about the quality of healthcare. It's probably at least as much about the quality of people's lives - the environment, the housing, their education and employment."


To listen to a detailed discussion on the role of the government and the implications of the nudge affect please click here 

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Are We Eating Enough Variety of Fruit and Veg?

We are often being reminded of the many health benefits derived from eating our five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, especially in helping to prevent cancer.  However, The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study has revealed that in relation to lung cancer, the important thing is not just the quantity but also the variety of fruit.  By consuming a wider variety fruits and vegetables, we can reduce the risk of lung cancer by 23%.    

The EPIC study involves 23 centres from 10 European countries (Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom and Sweden, working with a sample of 500,000 European subjects (41,000 of whom live in the Spanish regions of Asturias, Granada, Guipúzcoa, Murcia and Navarre).  The results of the study, which have been published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, demonstrates that eating "more than eight sub-groups" of vegetables cuts this risk by 23% compared with eating "less than four sub-groups". In addition, this risk falls by a further 4% for each unit added to the diet from another sub-group.  This link was found only in smokers. 

Lung cancer is considered to be the most common type of cancer in the developed countries.  Statistics from Cancer Research UK indicate that lung cancer is also the most common cause of death from cancer for both men and women.  Thus, despite the encouraging evidence produced by the study,  Sánchez Pérez, director of the Granada Cancer Registry at the Andalusian School of Public Health, concludes that "the most effective way of preventing it (lung cancer) continues to be reducing the prevalence of tobacco consumption among the populace".

Friday 19 November 2010

The Need to Improve the Health of Prisoners

There are currently around 10 million people incarcerated worldwide and over the past decade this number has increased by a million.  Research indicates that mental disorders, infectious diseases, higher suicide rates and increased mortality are more prevalent in prisons than in the general population.  Prisoners are often from the poorest sectors of society and as a result already suffer from greater health inequalities.

A review published today in The Lancet examining "The Health of Prisoners" reports that there is insufficient health care in prisons.  The evidence suggests that more needs to be done to help improve the health of millions of young, marginalised individuals, who are often beyond the reach of community health services.     

It is argued that reforming the medical service within prisons could improve public health, because as prisoners are released and return to their communities, they will be in a better sate, both mentally and physically, to contribute to society.   Seena Fazel from the University of Oxford, UK, and Jacques Baillargeon from the University of Texas Medical Branch, USA, argue that the importance of prison health care to public health needs to be recognised: "Prisoners act as reservoirs of infection and chronic disease, increasing the public health burden of poor communities."
They add: "For these individuals, prison provides an opportunity for diagnosis, disease management education, counselling, and treatment that they would not receive in the general community."

The authors of the review propose that there should be a universal screening of prisoners for physical and mental illness by trained individuals along with community-based aftercare for released prisoners.  Additionally, they call for national prison-specific policies and guidelines incorporating minimum standards and goals for improvement in the health care of women, older adult prisoners, and juveniles.

RSPH - Supporting Offenders on a Pathway to Health

At present, the RSPH is working with the National Offender Management service as part of the South East Innovation Project - Health and Physical Education.  The project focuses on improving the health and well-being of offenders, through the expansion of the Health Trainer model within the prison and community settings.  The RSPH also offers the Level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement course, which can be undertaken in communities, local authorities and prisons. 

Our recent sucess stories include the Sheppey cluster of prisons, initiated by Gary Lyttle and Brian Greig.  These events have been commissioned by the Sheppy Cluster of prisons to support the further roll out to other offender units and interested organisations locally.  The project was also undertaken by theYorkshire and Humberside cluster of prisons, led by Geof Dart.  A recent end of year report published by Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership, Offender, Health and Social Care: Health Trainers in the Criminal Justice System, highlights the many benefits of training and empowering prisoners about health 

In addition, NHS Devon's health promotion team in partnership with Age Concern (now Age UK) created the Age Concern Older Offenders' Project, with the aim of improving the health of older offenders within Devon prisons.  NHS Devon's story can be viewed in the October archive of the blog.


To view a copy of the Yorkshire and Humberside report please contact Gina Mohajer email: gmohajer@rsph.org.uk.
For more information on the RSPH Level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement please contact Nicolette Smith email: nsmith@rsph.org.uk.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Pressure At Work Can Increase Risk Of Heart  Problems for Women

Previously cardiovascular disease and stress in the workplace has been centred around men's health.  However, in a study examining the health of women,  researchers found that women who reported high job strain, were forty percent more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and excess body weight.

Job strain, a form of psychological stress, is defined as having a demanding job, with little to no decision-making authority or opportunities to use one’s creative or individual skills.  Job insecurity, fear of loosing ones job, was also a factor leading to stress in the workplace.

Researchers from the Women's Health Study, analyzed job strain in 17,415 healthy women over a 10 year period.  The women were primarily Caucasian, with an average age of 57 and provided relevant information about heart disease, job strain and job insecurity.  The  findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2010. 
   
The study discovered that the 40 percent higher risks for women who reported high job strain included heart attacks, ischemic strokes, coronary artery bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty and death. The increased risk of heart attack was about 88 percent, while the risk of bypass surgery or invasive procedure was about 43 percent.

Natalie Slopen, Sc.D., lead researcher and a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard University Center on the Developing Child in Boston, noted that; “Women in jobs characterized by high demands and low control, as well as jobs with high demands but a high sense of control are at higher risk for heart disease long term,” 

As such, from a public health perspective, it is vital for employers to monitor perceived employee job strain and initiate programs to alleviate and manage stress, in order prevent ill health in the workplace. 

The RSPH Training Solutions offers a course on Mental Health First Aid in the workplace. The course focuses on the personal impact of poor mental health, and on the importance of appreciating good mental health, for both ourselves and others.  For further information on this, please click here or contact Nicolette Smith nsmith@rsph.org.uk

Monday 15 November 2010

Last chance this year to attend our Foundation Programme in Health Improvement

As the debate about the future of our health service hots up, it is becoming increasingly clear that much more responsibility will have to be taken on by the voluntary sector and Local Authorities. Do you and your team have the right knowledge and expertise?

The Foundation Programme in Health Improvement is designed to give a firm grounding in Public Health to key individuals who will be part of these changes.

This two day programme takes place on December 6th and 7th in our Head Office in London. It costs just £350 per delegate for two full days and includes lunch, refreshments and full course materials. Contact Nicolette Smith to make your booking, on 020 3177 1625 or email nsmith@rsph.org.uk.

What we will cover:

  1. The three key lifestyle choices affecting personal health, and their impact on your community
  2. The practical implications of these choices for our public health
  3. First principles for promoting good health
  4. Three ways to improve community health, and how to communicate them
  5. The critical barriers to improving health in the community and how to overcome them
  6. Proven techniques for encouraging changes in behaviour
  7. How to handle confidential information securely
  8. The most effective ways to evaluate your results

“The journey starts here. Educational, enjoyable, empowering.”
Delegate on Level 2 Understanding Health Improvement

How you will benefit

After this programme, you will be equipped to play your part in improving the health of your community by identifying opportunities to improve health and well being, and evaluating what has worked best. This programme leads to the nationally recognised Level 1 qualification in Health Awareness and Level 2 qualification in Understanding Health Improvement. Delegates will be able to take a multiple choice test at the end of the two days to achieve these two RSPH qualifications.


Health Service Reform - Concerns for the third sector?

The care services minister, Paul Burstow, has admitted that the period of change brought about by health service reform is worrying for voluntary organisations.  However, the minister pointed out that the voluntary sector will play a vital role in the future of the NHS contributing to health and care.

Burstow believes voluntary organisations could strengthen public and patient engagement through their knowledge and understanding of local people's needs.  As such the Department of Health are particularly keen for primary care trusts to engage with stakeholders.
Burstow added; "This includes working in close partnership with all organisations that they hold funding agreements with through both grant and contract arrangements, recognising the principles of the Compact."


Thursday 11 November 2010

Do your health improvement projects need a health check?



The focus on improving community health continues to dominate the political agenda, and the voluntary sector is already working in partnership with Local Authorities to develop innovative ways to improve public health.

But how often do these projects deliver the benefits you hope for? How can you guarantee that they’ll run to time and on budget? And has the team lost sight of the original goals?

In short, do you and your team have the knowledge and expertise to deliver results?

“We can lead healthier, more productive lives but many need help in creating the environment where this is possible. This task is everyone’s business.” 
Richard Shircore. Course Leader.

Developing and Managing Health Improvement Projects

Developing and Managing Health Improvement Projects is one of our most popular courses, designed to prepare project managers to run effective programmes, on time, on budget and in harmony with their partner organisations.

This one day programme takes place on November 23rd in our Head Office in London.There are just three places left, so book yours now. It costs just £175 per delegate for a full day and includes lunch, refreshments and full course materials. Contact Nicolette Smith to make your booking, on 020 3177 1625 or email nsmith@rsph.org.uk.

What we will cover:

  1. How to identify realistic aims and objectives
  2. How to ensure that the outcomes of your project meet your expectations
  3. Theory and best practice for planning and execution
  4. Three critical barriers to successful project management and how to overcome them
  5. The most effective ways to evaluate your results
  6. How to identify problems before they arise and respond positively

How others have benefited

“Excellent! I was worried that this may be too theoretical, however I have learnt so much on this one day training course, thank you RSPH.“ Delegate on Developing and Managing Health Improvement Projects

Ways of Tackling Obesity - Fat Tax, Better Labelling and Restricting Advertisements

A team of researchers from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and from the World Health Organization (WHO), published a paper in The Lancet Series on Chronic Disease and Development.  The paper explores and highlights ways to tackle the rise in obseity in nations of all incomes.

The paper studied obesity rates in seven countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and,  England.  The researchers found that in all seven countries, obesity posed a big health problem.  Statistics reveal that the UK is the fattest country in Europe and this is set to rise by 10% over the next decade.  Seven in ten Mexican adults are now considered obese or overweight.  Similarly China now has the same rates of diabetes as the USA (92 million).    

As such, the paper concluded that in order to tackle rising obesity levels, a combined approach needs to be implemented nationally.  Taxing unhealthy foods, (or reducing tax on healthy foods), restricting advertisements on unhealthy foods and improving labeling, is among the most cost effective ways to promote healthy eating.  It is estimated that these measures would add nearly 7 million life years in good health over the next two decades in seven countries covering almost half of the world population.

Clearly authors of the paper provide some clear actions that need to be seriously considered to help drive down obesity levels.  However, what other ways and initiatives can be introduced to encourage people to make healthier lifestyle choices?
 





Wednesday 10 November 2010

World Diabetes Day "Eye Lights" The Global Diabetes Panademic

The 14th November is World Diabetes Day (WDD) which was created to raise awareness and understanding of the global diabetes pandemic.  Currently in the UK the number of people affected by diabetes is over 2.8 million and this figure is expected to rise.  By 2025 it is estimated that over 4 million people will suffer from diabetes due to aging populations, increasing rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. 

To mark WDD, Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health, will be the guest speaker at a reception this evening.  The event will bring together members of the diabetes community and will address key issues facing patients, healthcare professionals and policy makers throughout the UK.  To coincide with tonights reception and the 14th November, the Merlin Entertainments London Eye will be illuminating blue to respresent the WDD blue circle logo.

Monday 18 October 2010

Do you know the most effective ways to improve community health? Or the proven techniques to encourage healthier life styles?

The Foundation Programme in Health Improvement

The Foundation Programme in Health Improvement is a new programme designed to give a firm grounding in Public Health to key individuals who work in Local Authorities and Voluntary Organisations.

This two day programme takes place on November 8th and 9th in our Head Office in London. It costs just £350 per delegate for two full days and includes lunch, refreshments and full course materials. Contact Nicolette Smith to make your booking, on 020 3177 1625 or email nsmith@rsph.org.uk.

There are only 3 days left to book at our Early Bird price of £315

What we will cover:

  1. The three key lifestyle choices affecting personal health, and their impact on your community.
  2. The practical implications of these choices for our public health.
  3. First principles for promoting good health
  4. Three ways to improve community health, and how to communicate them
  5. The critical barriers to improving health in the community and how to overcome them
  6. Proven techniques for encouraging changes in behaviour
  7. How to handle confidential information securely
  8. The most effective ways to evaluate your results


“The journey starts here. Educational, enjoyable, empowering.”

Friday 15 October 2010

Dartmoor works towards better health

Over the past twenty years the number of older people entering the criminal justice system has trebled and these prisoners tend to have poorer health than the general population.  Those over the age of 50 are more likely to suffer from physical disabilities, long standing illnesses and have mental health issues.

As a result, NHS Devon’s health promotion team in partnership with Age Concern (now Age UK) created the Age Concern Older Offenders’ Project, with the primary aim of improving the health of older offenders within Devon Prisons. 

The joint project was developed to support the pilot of a Health Trainer programme in prisons.  The Introduction of the Health Trainer role for older offenders enables them to support their peers with first level health and social care advice, as well as ensuring appropriate steps are taken to improve their health. 

Stephanie Parker and Jean Harrison, Health Improvement Advisors for NHS Devon, delivered two Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) courses on Understanding Health Improvement.  The accredited course provides an introduction to the basics of health and wellbeing and how to empower offenders to make healthier lifestyle choices.  26 volunteers, 18 of whom were offenders, successfully completed the interactive training. 

Since then, numerous health related activities have been introduced in the prison.  Offenders have noted that they are beginning to benefit from this more supportive and personalised approach to health, commenting:  “I feel more relaxed and am able to sleep without interruption” and “I have lost weight and I am aware of my improved physique”.

Stephanie Parker has since won an NHS Devon Staff Award for her contribution and due to the overall success of the pilot, work is now continuing in Dartmoor prison to help support and develop the offender Health Trainer role.
 

Tuesday 12 October 2010

New Training Guide now available

To mark our first year of offering training programmes, a new Guide to Training Solutions has been launched. Designed to help commissioners and practitioners in health and well being to plan their training for the coming year, it contains details of all the training programmes and demonstrates how they support the priorities outlined in the recent NHS Reviews and the Government White Paper. It also introduces the range of expert trainers, whose experience across the health service is second to none. The Guide is available now from Nicolette Smith at the Royal Society for Public Health, or can be downloaded from the RSPH website.

Are you ready to play your part in the Big Society?

Changes to our health service mean big changes to how we manage the health of our communities.


The development of the Big Society will mean much more responsibility being taken on by the voluntary sector and Local Authorities.

Do you and your team have the knowledge and expertise to take this on?

“We can lead healthier, more productive lives but many need help in knowing how to do so, and help in creating the environment where this is possible. This task is everyone’s business.” 
Richard Shircore. Author of RSPH’s Commissioning Guide.

The Foundation Programme in Health Improvement

The Foundation Programme in Health Improvement is a new programme designed to give a firm grounding in Public Health to key individuals who will be part of these changes.

This two day programme takes place on November 8th and 9th in our Head Office in London. It costs just £350 per delegate for two full days and includes lunch, refreshments and full course materials. Contact Nicolette Smith to make your booking, on 020 3177 1625 or email nsmith@rsph.org.uk.

Monday 16 August 2010

Helping men to be health aware

Back in the summer we held our first workshop in men’s health with support from the Men’s Health Forum, shortly before Men’s Health Week in June. Designed for health professionals working with male patients, the workshop was a sell out, so we have decided to develop two new programmes, to run this Autumn.

Men’s health is unnecessarily poor. Too many men still die prematurely with just 66% reaching the age of 75. Men are more likely than women to die from heart disease, cancer and suicide, to be overweight, to smoke and to drink alcohol excessively. Yet men are less likely to use a wide range of health services effectively or take part in health improvement programmes. In response to these critical issues, these courses have been developed to assist with the effective delivery of health services to men.

The aim of the first programme is to help health service planners and commissioners meet the needs of men and tackle gender health inequalities.  The workshop will include:

• An outline of the current body of evidence on how health services can best meet the needs of men
• Showcasing existing work which identifies and meets the needs of men
• Providing a forum to identify and debate barriers and opportunities in your own service area to move men’s health issues into mainstream commissioning
Support compliance with equalities legislation and best practice in commissioning

The second is designed to support those delivering frontline health services to gain a basic, non-clinical understanding of men’s health and to explore ways in which this understanding could lead to improved practice.  This workshop will provide:

•    a better understanding of men’s health issues
•    an opportunity to learn from and share experiences
•    practical support for attendees to apply this knowledge in their day to day work

Jo McCullagh, the course leader, adds “Working in Public Health I am very well aware of the main health problems affecting men, the barriers they face in using health services and how reluctant they can be to ask for help. Health improvement initiatives specifically for men play an important part in giving them the knowledge, understanding and confidence to help improve their health“.

To find out more about these courses speak to Nicolette Smith on 020 3177 1625.