News

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

Wales: ‘Test and post’ sexual health pilot scheme extended

A scheme allowing self-testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at home has been extended for six months following a successful pilot. 

Regional/CountrySexual health

England: New parents with mental health problems could be overlooked, says NSPCC

About one in four new parents in England are not seeing a health visitor when their baby turns one, increasing the risk of mental health problems going unnoticed, the NSPCC says.

Regional/CountryMental Health

UK loses measles-free status: health leaders to renew efforts

The government has set out measures to improve vaccination rates after the UK lost its measles-free status with the World Health Organization.

Regional/CountryImmunisation & illness

HV Band 7 clarification

Gavin Fergie, Lead Professional for Health in Scotland, explains…

Union

England: School starters at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases

One in seven five-year-olds may not be fully up to date with some routine immunisations, Public Health England (PHE) has cautioned, with the figure rising to around one in four children in London.

Regional/CountryImmunisation & illness, Growth and development

Big story: more harm than good

Rates of self-harm are rising steeply, especially among young women, but the majority are still not able to access the right medical or psychological care. Can you play a helpful role? Journalist Juliette Astrup investigates.

Regional/CountryHealth and wellbeing, Vulnerability, Mental Health

October news in numbers

A breakdown of community health news this month, in numbers. Download the PDF, here.

Regional/CountryVulnerability, Education, Mental Health

Australia: Feeling the beat is a step towards child self-regulation skills

Marching, wiggling and tapping a beat helps young children develop self-regulation skills and improves school readiness, research published in Psychology of Music has found.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing, Growth and development

Netherlands: Aggression and rule-breaking is rarer in children of older parents

Children of older parents tend to have fewer externalising behaviour problems than children of younger parents, a study suggests.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Behaviour, Mental Health

Sweden: Study connects risk of developing coeliac disease to the amount of gluten children consume

The risk of developing coeliac disease is connected to the amount of gluten consumed by children genetically predisposed to the condition. 

Regional/Country Nutrition, Immunisation & illness

UK: Emotional struggles predict temper tantrums in two-year-olds

Mothers who suffered from stress and anxiety in the antenatal period are more likely to see their child display behavioural problems such as temper tantrums, restlessness and spitefulness, according to a study.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Behaviour, Mental Health

Ireland: Second-hand smoke linked to increased risk of child obesity

The children of women who do not smoke are less likely to become overweight or obese, report researchers from University College Cork.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing, Vulnerability

USA: School readiness impaired in pre-schoolers with ADHD symptoms

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are less likely to be school-ready than symptomless children the same age, a study says.

Regional/Country Behaviour, Education

Great Britain: Racist incidents rise for overseas nurses since Brexit vote

Overseas nurses are experiencing higher levels of discrimination, including racist incidents, and are more likely to consider leaving the NHS since the EU referendum in 2016, a new report has found.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Behaviour, Mental Health

Scotland: First meeting held to tackle NHS bullying and harassment

Measures to tackle bullying in the NHS in Scotland have been discussed at the first meeting of a new advisory body.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Behaviour

Northern Ireland: Results of Health and Social Care Workforce Census

The Department of Health has released details of the latest Northern Ireland Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce census.

Regional/Country Jobs, Professional

England: Consultation to shape HV and SN services in Durham

A public consultation is to help shape the future of Durham’s health visitors and school nurses.

Regional/Country Jobs, Professional
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