Education

NICE is currently consulting on draft guidance for personal, social and health education (PSHE), especially focusing on relationships, sex and alcohol. The consultation period ends on 15 July.

Breastfeeding

Figures released by DH last month suggest that there has been no significant rise in breastfeeding when measured at 6-8 weeks, although there has been a slight rise in breastfeeding intiation. The Breastfeeding Network believes it's (in part) the marketing that's to blame: the slogan "breast is best" is offputting and misleading, implying that breastfeeding is the exception, not the physiological norm. DH has also published a summary of consumer insight research on breastfeeding and introducing solid foods, which considers current marketing strategies as well as qualitative research with mothers.

Healthy eating

NICE has nailed its colours to the mast on the matter of reducing trans-fats in foods, in new guidance on prevention of cardiovascular disease. The guidelines also push for a more rigorous approach to food labelling, using the traffic light system, a policy recently rejected by the European Parliament. An article in the Journal of Public Health surveys attitudes to and use of food labelling systems in Europe. Looking at inequalities in cardiovascular disease mortality, a team from Australia has published some work on the association between CVD mortality and educational achievement and considering how far this can be explained by known risk factors, such as smoking and being overweight.

Budget response

The Chancellor's announcement that Child Tax Credit would be increased was greeted with rather more than faint praise by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. However, the blog does go on to outline how the new budget will affect people in poverty, focusing on changes to inflation measures, the VAT hike and cuts in public sector budgets. Health professionals have already criticised the earlier decision to cut plans for the further extension of free school meals elligibility.

Working out what works

It usually appears that while it's relatively easy to identify health inequalities, finding robust evidence for what works in tackling those inequalities is rather more challenging. Some recently published articles tend to uphold that assumption. A UK-based team offers a systematic review of interventions and at a more theoretical or policy level, the Marmot review team publish an account of the use of rapid review techniques to develop policy proposals. Meanwhile, at the coalface, another article reflects bleakly on the effectiveness of partnership working and community engagement.

Drugs misuse

NHS Evidence National Library for Public Health has produced its annual evidence update on drugs misuse. Offering a survey of the past year's learning on the subject, the 2010 update focuses on femaler offenders.

Contraception services

NICE has been consulting on provision of contraceptive services to socially disadvantaged young people up to age 25. The consultation closes 23 June.

Doctors mind the gap

A policy statement from the Royal College of Physicians sets out the organisation's vision for tackling health inequalities. The result of a series of dialogues over the past six months, the report considers options for change. As well as advocating an emphasis on prevention rather than treatment and considering how doctors engage with and empower patients, the policy statement also acknowledges a need for public health and social aspects of medicine to be better taught.

Prison health

The Care Quality Commission has reported on how PCTs are commissioning prison health care over the period 2008-9. CQC commends progress in management and clinical governance. However, it notes there is room for improvement as regards arrangements for transfer and release and drug treatment systems.

Weight watchers?

DH has published research on how to make weight management services more appealing. The report, from research consultants ESRO, looks at motivation to lose weight, barriers to engaging with weight management services and what various groups of people want from such services.

Alcohol policy

Early this month NICE came out in favour of minimum pricing for alcohol, just as the Scottish Parliament vetoed a similar proposal. NICE’s approach is contained in its guidance on preventing harmful drinking and treating the physical complications of alcohol use disorders. More recently, a study by NICE looks at the evidence for reducing the current drink-drive limit.