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16/11/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Obesity Epidemic Putting Strain On NI Health Service
Doctors have welcomed the launch of the public consultation “A fitter future for all – an obesity prevention framework for Northern Ireland”. Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) Council in Northern Ireland said: “Obesity is an extremely serious issue that can lead to a number of life-threatening and life - limiting health problems. Obesity is already putting strain on our financially stretched health service and threatens to increase exponentially as it reaches epidemic proportions. While doctors have a role to play in supporting overweight patients and educating the wider public about the dangers of obesity, there is a limit as to what they can do.” The BMA believes that a joined-up approach is essential. Public health capacity must increase. The government must work with food manufacturers and advertisers to help people improve their diets. People need to be given more opportunities to take regular exercise; we should aim for a society where everyone is enabled to make healthy choices. Dr Darragh concluded: “Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to weight gain. Good medical practice in the treatment of obesity requires emphasis on prevention. We are looking forward to working with the Minister McGimpsey and other stakeholders to make this a reality”.
Solihull Construction Firm Fined For Worker's Burns
A Solihull construction firm has been fined after one of its workers suffered burns when his drill hit a power cable. The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, was using a pneumatic drill to dig a trench at the Taylor Wimpey housing development in Rushall, Walsall, when he struck an 11kv cable under the pavement in August 2009. He suffered severe burns from the resulting flash and was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham for emergency treatment. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Pacestone Construction Ltd had failed to take sufficient steps to protect its employees from the risk presented by underground cables. The worker was unaware of where they were located on the site. Pacestone Construction Limited, from Catherine De Barnes, pleaded guilty to breaching regulations 2007 and was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay £3,870 costs by Walsall Magistrates' Court.
Passive Smokers At Increased Risk Of Hearing Loss
Non-smokers who regularly breathe in others’ tobacco smoke are at increased risk of some degree of hearing loss, reveals research published online in Tobacco Control. Previous research indicates that former and current smokers are more likely to lose some of their full range of hearing, but it’s not been known whether passive smokers are also prone to this. The authors drew on 1999-2004 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a yearly household survey combined with a physical examination of a representative sample of the US population. In all, a total of 3307 adults aged between 20 and 69 were included in the final analysis. They had all had their hearing tested, and were classified as passive smokers according to levels of a constituent of tobacco smoke (cotinine) in their blood. They were also able to provide information on their medical history, levels of noise exposure, and whether they had ever smoked or lived/worked with a smoker. The degree of hearing loss in each ear was assessed by testing the ability to hear pure tones over a range of frequencies from 500 Hz (low) to 8000 Hz (high). Men, those who were older, and those with diabetes were significantly more likely to have high frequency hearing loss. And this was true of those who were former smokers and those who had never smoked. But even after taking account of these factors, both former and passive smoking were associated with impaired hearing. Former smokers were significantly more likely to have impaired hearing. The prevalence of low to mid frequency hearing loss among this group was 14%. And almost half (over 46%) had high frequency hearing loss (more than 25 decibels). Although the risk was not as strong among those who had never smoked, almost one in 10 (8.6%) had low to mid frequency hearing loss and one in four (26.6%) had high frequency hearing loss. The authors say the stronger findings among former smokers suggest that continued passive smoking in this group, even at low levels, could continue the progression of high frequency hearing loss that began when they were active smokers.
(BMcN/GK)
Doctors have welcomed the launch of the public consultation “A fitter future for all – an obesity prevention framework for Northern Ireland”. Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) Council in Northern Ireland said: “Obesity is an extremely serious issue that can lead to a number of life-threatening and life - limiting health problems. Obesity is already putting strain on our financially stretched health service and threatens to increase exponentially as it reaches epidemic proportions. While doctors have a role to play in supporting overweight patients and educating the wider public about the dangers of obesity, there is a limit as to what they can do.” The BMA believes that a joined-up approach is essential. Public health capacity must increase. The government must work with food manufacturers and advertisers to help people improve their diets. People need to be given more opportunities to take regular exercise; we should aim for a society where everyone is enabled to make healthy choices. Dr Darragh concluded: “Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to weight gain. Good medical practice in the treatment of obesity requires emphasis on prevention. We are looking forward to working with the Minister McGimpsey and other stakeholders to make this a reality”.
Solihull Construction Firm Fined For Worker's Burns
A Solihull construction firm has been fined after one of its workers suffered burns when his drill hit a power cable. The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, was using a pneumatic drill to dig a trench at the Taylor Wimpey housing development in Rushall, Walsall, when he struck an 11kv cable under the pavement in August 2009. He suffered severe burns from the resulting flash and was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham for emergency treatment. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Pacestone Construction Ltd had failed to take sufficient steps to protect its employees from the risk presented by underground cables. The worker was unaware of where they were located on the site. Pacestone Construction Limited, from Catherine De Barnes, pleaded guilty to breaching regulations 2007 and was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay £3,870 costs by Walsall Magistrates' Court.
Passive Smokers At Increased Risk Of Hearing Loss
Non-smokers who regularly breathe in others’ tobacco smoke are at increased risk of some degree of hearing loss, reveals research published online in Tobacco Control. Previous research indicates that former and current smokers are more likely to lose some of their full range of hearing, but it’s not been known whether passive smokers are also prone to this. The authors drew on 1999-2004 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a yearly household survey combined with a physical examination of a representative sample of the US population. In all, a total of 3307 adults aged between 20 and 69 were included in the final analysis. They had all had their hearing tested, and were classified as passive smokers according to levels of a constituent of tobacco smoke (cotinine) in their blood. They were also able to provide information on their medical history, levels of noise exposure, and whether they had ever smoked or lived/worked with a smoker. The degree of hearing loss in each ear was assessed by testing the ability to hear pure tones over a range of frequencies from 500 Hz (low) to 8000 Hz (high). Men, those who were older, and those with diabetes were significantly more likely to have high frequency hearing loss. And this was true of those who were former smokers and those who had never smoked. But even after taking account of these factors, both former and passive smoking were associated with impaired hearing. Former smokers were significantly more likely to have impaired hearing. The prevalence of low to mid frequency hearing loss among this group was 14%. And almost half (over 46%) had high frequency hearing loss (more than 25 decibels). Although the risk was not as strong among those who had never smoked, almost one in 10 (8.6%) had low to mid frequency hearing loss and one in four (26.6%) had high frequency hearing loss. The authors say the stronger findings among former smokers suggest that continued passive smoking in this group, even at low levels, could continue the progression of high frequency hearing loss that began when they were active smokers.
(BMcN/GK)
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Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
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Smokers risk sight loss, study claims
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Smokers risk sight loss, study claims
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Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
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Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
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Hearing Loss Feared Over Music Players
Young people who listen to personal music players for several hours a day at high volume could be putting their hearing at risk, warns an expert.
Hearing Loss Feared Over Music Players
Young people who listen to personal music players for several hours a day at high volume could be putting their hearing at risk, warns an expert.
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