News | Community Practitioner

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

Fearfulness in childhood a predictor of later anxiety during Covid

Research has identified early risk factors for developing anxiety during stressful life events in early adulthood.

Vaccinations will prevent 69 million deaths by 2030

A modelling study has estimated that vaccination against 10 major pathogens will have prevented 69 million deaths in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) over the period 2000 to 2030.

ResearchImmunisation & illness

Ethnic health inequalities equate to 20 years' ageing

In 15 out of 17 minority ethnic groups, health-related quality of life in adults aged 55+ was worse on average for women, men, or both, than for white British people, a study has revealed.

ResearchHealth and wellbeing

Children can learn about health via a school sports programme

Researchers assessed a ‘health education through football’ programme for children aged 10 to 12 in Denmark, looking at the effects on health knowledge and enjoyment levels.

ResearchHealth and wellbeing, Education

Brain-related visual impairment may affect 1 in 30 children

Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) – a term for a variety of brain-related visual problems previously thought to be rare – may affect one in 30 primary school children.

ResearchHealth and wellbeing

Vaccination: the complications of hesitation

How can you talk to parents who have doubts about immunising their children from serious infectious diseases? Journalist Radhika Holmström reports on vaccine hesitancy.

ResearchBehaviour, Immunisation & illness

Frequent cannabis use by teens linked to drop in IQ

Adolescents who regularly use cannabis may experience a decline in IQ over time, a study in Psychological Medicine has found.

ResearchHealth and wellbeing, Mental Health

Funding boost for QNI community nurse support line

The Queen’s Nursing Institute’s TalktoUs telephone listening service has received a major funding boost from new charity Covid-19 Healthcare Support Appeal (CHSA).

Regional/Country Professional, Mental Health

England: Unite says NHS reforms fail to address funding and recruitment

The Department of Health and Social Care set out legislative proposals NHS reforms in February in a white paper.

Regional/Country Professional

Scotland: interim pay rise for NHS Scotland agenda for change staff

Employees will receive an interim pay increase of 1% ahead of the final 2021-22 pay settlement, recognising ‘an exceptional year of significant pressure’.

Regional/Country Professional

England: health workers face unequal COVID risk says Marmot review

In his latest report, Sir Michael Marmot says England entered the pandemic in a poor state of health, with inequalities already rising.

Regional/Country Professional

A record number of people apply to nursing courses

Total applications to UK universities for nursing courses have risen by almost a third (32%), according to figures published by UCAS.

Regional/Country Professional

Northern Ireland: PHA calls for your views on suicide prevention services

A pre-consultation for suicide prevention and post-vention services has been launched by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Regional/Country Professional

Classroom ventilation guidelines urgently needed

Schools urgently need guidelines on ventilation to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the classroom.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing

Substance misuse among parents is soaring, says NSPCC helpline

The number of people contacting the NSPCC with concerns about drug and alcohol misuse among parents has risen by 66% since April 2020.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Safeguarding

England: Covid-19 deaths higher among people with disability

Almost six out of every 10 people (59.5%) who died from Covid-19 in England in 2020 were disabled, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing

Scotland: Government responds to UN call for urgent action on food insecurity and poverty

The Scottish Government has welcomed a call from the United Nations (UN) for urgent action to tackle deepening food insecurity, poverty and injustice in the UK.

Regional/Country Vulnerability