Airways

The use of spirometry information in smoking cessation interventions has been the subject of a recently reported trial. The ESPITAP study, conducted in Spain, looked at the use of spirometry information in the context of structured motivational interviewing for smoking cessation, finding that this improved abstinence rates. One (admittedly quite limited) review also found that annual spirometry combined with a brief smoking cessation intervention was one of the more effective methods for COPD patients.

Health mapped

The second and substantially extended issue of the NHS Atlas of Variation has appeared, showing how use of healthcare varies in the UK across a range of conditions.

Fair's Fare latest issue

Fair's Fare issue 24 is now available from the EPHRU website.

Holy Grail?

An effective way to reduce costs and hospital admissions occasioned by alcohol harm is a bit of a philosopher's stone for the public health world. The South East Alcohol Innovation Programme's final evaluation should therefore be welcome reading. Three of the projects have already been taken up by the NHS as QIPP initiatives. The SHAHRP programme (School Health and Alcohol Harm Reduction Project), devised in Australia, has recently been applied in Northern Ireland with positive results. SHAHRP is also being trialled in Liverpool. In its submission to the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry on Alcohol Guidelines, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has suggested that government sensible drinking guidelines should be amended, particularly as regards frequency: "the RCP disputes the claim that drinking every day will not accrue a significant health risk." The report also expresses concern about the consistency and effectiveness of the government's communications in this area. The Scottish Government is making another attempt to legislate for minimum pricing, with the reintroduction earlier this month of the Alcohol Bill. And the effort to tackle alcohol harm seems also to extend to the work of Transport Scotland, as a consultation on reorganising rail services includes the suggestion (received with scant enthusiasm) that alcohol be banned on trains.

Lessons learned?

A study from the Department for Education maps Serious Case Review information with other data on the serious and fatal maltreatment of children (from ONS, the Home Office homicide database and Child Death Overview Panels). The majority of violent deaths occur in babies less than one year old, with the next most affected group being the over-14s. This trend is also a focus for a report from OFSTED, covering Serious Case Reviews from 2007 to 2011. The NSPCC report All babies count also emphasises "the disproportionate vulnerability of babies" and the importance of early intervention.

The place to be

The idea that urban green space is connected somehow with better health is a common theme in the literature. But pinning down exactly how this is the case is not easy. A systematic review in the Journal of Public Health attempts to clarify what evidence there is for health benefits from urban green space, finding the proof somewhat unpersuasive. A study from the US looks at the reverse: how far an unhealthy place (with particular emphasis on violence) relates to birthweight. Finally, another look at the Scottish effect, here asking whether it applies south of the border.

Institionalise!

This week the new Institute of Health Equity at UCL was launched. Led by inequalities expert Professor Sir Michael Marmot, the Institute will be funded in part by DH and the BMA. In his first blog post, Marmot expresses some optimism as regards the coalition government's commitment to tackling health inequalities, quoting Don Quixote: "the dogs are barking, Sancho; it is a sign we’re moving."