There's quite a bit of evidence that people think access to green spaces makes them feel better, but do doctors' assessments tie in with this? A study from the Netherlands published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests that physicians concur. Using morbidity data from GP practices and postcode mapping of green spaces, researchers found that prevelance rates for groups of disease were frequently lower in areas with more green space within a 1 km radius. They also found that the relationship between green space and health was clearest for anxiety and depression and also amongst children and people of a lower socioeconomic status.
Local authorities have a greater depth of understanding of "the main health challenges" and their part in tackling them, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos MORI for IDeA. The Healthy Communities Direction of Travel Survey involved interviews with senior staff in local authorites and PCTs to assess awareness of the health improvement agenda, as well as capacity to respond to it and levels of partnership working.
DH has produced a summary of progress towards inequalities targets based on rates of infant mortality and life expectancy at birth. Infant mortality data was released earlier this month. The possibility of narrowing the gap between the general population and the spearhead group "remains challenging" (see Fair's Fare 19 November).
The British Dental Association's new policy document on inequalities highlights "an unacceptable and growing chasm" between those with good dental health and those without. The report looks at the impact of dental contracts and the role of the dental team in health promotion in the context of tackling inequalities.
A BMJ editorial discusses changing perspectives on the big idea that "what matters in determining mortality and health in a society is less the overall wealth of that society and more how evenly wealth is distributed." The article, by Professors Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson highlights a review by Naoki Kondo and others: Income inequality, mortality, and self rated health: meta-analysis of multilevel studies.
Primary Care Commissioning provides guidance on commissioning services for women and girls who are victims of violence. This forms part of the Home Office sponsored strategy, Together we can end violence against women and girls. Formal NHS specific guidance will be available in the New Year, when the DH taskforce on violence against women and girls will also report. DH has also published a toolkit for health professionals working with children and young people affected by domestic violence.
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), the government's advisor on all things architectural, has published a report showing how good design and planning "can have a positive impact on public health" and how PCTs and others can help save the planet by co-locating services.
Rather later than originally announced, DH provides guidance for world class commissioning of services for people with learning disabilities. It’s designed to support the delivery of the Valuing People Now commitments, as well as responding to recommendations in the Parliamentary and Health Service ombudsman’s report, Six Lives.
Some innovative outreach by Walsall Borough Council and NHS Walsall is showcased by the IDeA website. As well as setting up drop in health checks in Walsall Art Gallery as part of the annual Wellbeing Festival, the Arts into Health programme has provided health education through theatre and has also created resources to support schools in delivering the Personal Social and Health Education curriculum.
The promised consultation on implementing age equality legislation in health and social care has been published by DH. Part of getting the industry ready to comply with the Equality Bill, this follows the publication of Sir Ian Carruthers’ review last month. Responses are due in by 10 February 2010.
Promoting its new parenting advice site Babylifecheck , DH highlights some research that shows that new parents need most advice and support around eight weeks after the birth, once the family support network has begun to decline.
Meanwhile HSJ provides a useful survey of success in smoking cessation work amongst pregnant women.
