COVID-19
— COVID-19 is experiencing a surge this winter in both England and Scotland. Prevalence is widespread, impacting all age groups, and increasing uncertainty in estimates across English regions, particularly in London and the South East.
Public Health
Public health is the discipline that focuses on preventing disease, extending life, and enhancing well-being through the coordinated actions of society, both public and private entities, communities, and individuals.
COVID-19
— As the UK faces a surge in COVID-19 cases ahead of the festive season, concerns arise over the reliability of outdated lateral flow tests. Experts warn of compromised accuracy due to buffer liquid evaporation, urging individuals to check test expiration dates.
COVID-19
— In the ever-evolving game of COVID-19, a new challenger has entered the ring: JN.1, a viral upstart rapidly rising through the ranks and threatening to throw a winter curveball.
Public Health
— Encouraging lifestyle changes like vaping, moderate alcohol intake, and increased exercise could save the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds annually, improving public health and reducing economic strain.
COVID-19 Inquiry
— Boris Johnson, appearing at the COVID inquiry, denied government mistakes contributed to excess deaths, attributing them to an elderly population and high population density, and struggled to name a single mistake his government made.
Public Health
— Reports of increased pneumonia cases in various countries have raised concerns. These outbreaks are attributed to known respiratory germs like RSV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, typical for this time of year.
Water Pollution
— The Royal Society of Chemistry warns that PFAS chemicals, linked to cancer and fertility issues, exceed safe levels in England’s drinking water. Current standards are insufficient, demanding urgent revision for public health.
UK Government
— NHS England has awarded a significant data contract to Palantir, a US tech company co-founded by entrepreneur Peter Thiel. This decision has sparked controversy, considering Thiel’s critical stance on the NHS and raised questions about data security and transparency.
COVID-19
— Cruise ships’ close quarters and shared spaces pose infection risks, historically linked to respiratory and gastro pathogens, emphasising the need for stringent hygiene measures.
COVID-19
— ONS, ZOE app, Google Trends… there were many ways to keep an eye on COVID cases during the pandemic. Here’s how they fared.
Public Health
— The ZOE Health Study team has faced challenges maintaining accurate COVID-19 data due to declining app contributors. In response, they’ve made the decision to suspend live COVID-19 reporting.
Food
— Misinformation is a challenge, but the success of the UK’s sugar tax suggests the feasibility of a tax on food. If implemented effectively, a meat tax could tackle health and environmental issues.
COVID-19
— The US Government is set to reintroduce a free COVID-19 home testing programme next week. This initiative acknowledges the ongoing threat of COVID-19 variants. After a period where free testing became scarce, the move aims to provide accessible testing options once again.
COVID-19
— Hundreds of thousands of red hearts adorn a wall directly opposite parliament, yet successive prime ministers have nothing to say about officially marking the lives lost in the pandemic.
Public Health
— Tony Blair has called on ministers to tighten food regulation, including adding levies to foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.
COVID-19
— Some experts are calling for a return to masking as new variants emerge.
