News | Community Practitioner

What’s happening in the world of public health? We take a look at the latest stories affecting the professions.

Recognising women leaders

To celebrate the contribution that female leaders make in the NHS, the London Leadership Academy (LLA) is calling for nominations for 70 inspirational women.

Professional

News in numbers: April

A breakdown of community health news this month, in numbers.

Regional/CountryHealth and wellbeing

1000 children's centre closures since 2009

As many as 1000 Sure Start centres across England have closed since 2009 according to a new study published by the Sutton Trust.

Research paper request

Do you have research that you would like to share?

Research

Smoking in pregnancy

Public Health England is working with Improving Performance in Practice (iPiP) to review the role of health visiting and practice nursing in addressing smoking in pregnancy.

Health and wellbeing

Parents’ teenage lifestyles may influence their offspring’s health

Parents’ teenage lifestyles may affect the growth and development of their own children, a new study suggests.

ResearchHealth and wellbeing, Behaviour

Meningitis symptoms hard to spot in babies under three months

Only half of babies under three months old who have bacterial meningitis show signs of a fever, a study has suggested.

ResearchHealth and wellbeing

Anti-obesity drives help boost pupil performance

A review of anti-obesity initiatives in schools found they helped to improve pupils’ problem-solving and could boost achievement.

Research Health and wellbeing, Nutrition

Bright light suppresses sleep hormone in youngsters

Exposing children to an hour of bright light before bedtime almost shuts down their production of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, a study shows.

Research Health and wellbeing

Chatting frequently with children improves their language skills

Making conversation with children can boost the brain’s response to language, according to cognitive scientists at MIT.

Research Growth and development

Siblings more likely to show empathy and kindness

Children with brothers and sisters who are kind and empathetic are more likely to exhibit those traits themselves, a study has found.

Research Growth and development