The sunshine vitamin

Sunlight is our main source of vitamin D but with short winter days in particular, we risk our 'daily dose' falling short of the recommended levels. Additionally, with only 10% of the recommended daily amount found naturally in food there may be justification in fortifying more foods with vitamin D; a view supported by Professor Mitch Blair, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The clearest indication of deficiency is the increase in hospital admissions due to rickets over the last 15 years. Currently the Government's Healthy Start programme offers vitamins free for people on income support but it seems that the uptake level is low. Perhaps low-cost supplements available to all would be the answer, added to a dose of public knowledge of the need?

Scotland's health inequalities - 50 years on

Audit Scotland's Report out this week acknowledges that over the past 50 years there have been some improvements in Scotland's health inequalities but there is still a very long way to go. It's not surprising that the worst health problems are linked with deprived areas. Deputy Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw says that people, regardless of their background, have to take responsibility for their own health, but also calls on ministers to do more. See the BBC news item for comments on the results of the report. 

Earlier HIV testing needed

Groups at high-risk of HIV are encouraged to test more regularly in order to reduce the worrying rise in the spread of infection. Fear and and lack of understanding surrounding both HIV and HIV testing in the UK continue to put the population at higher risk than necessary. Latest UK statistics sourced from the Health Protection Agency reveal that a quarter of people living with HIV in the UK are unaware of their condition.

                                                                                              

Alcohol - The Cost and the Price

Measures proposed to deal with alcohol-related crime and disorder in the UK are given in the Home Office press release of 29th November. Included in the proposal is 'Minimum Unit Pricing'.
Plans in Scotland for MUP have met with opposition from the European Commission as a "disproportionate" response to Scotland's health problems. Health Secretary Alex Neil will be Speaking in Brussels today to argue the case for the Scottish government remaining committed to introducing minimum alcohol pricing. Speaking before his visit today Mr Neil said: "The point that I will make in Brussels is that minimum pricing can and will save lives.