Health and Fitness
Over £220 million to boost innovation in the NHS
A £220 million fund will be made available to encourage innovation within the NHS, Health Minister Lord Darzi announced today, during an event at the Science Museum in London to mark the launch of 'Innovation for a Healthier Future', a series of initiatives to nurture and reward innovation within the NHS.
Meningitis cases hit record low
Cases of bacterial meningitis in children are at a record low thanks to NHS immunisation programmes, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced last week.
Kids still not getting enough exercise
Results from a massive survey of Change4Life families show that almost three quarters (72 per cent) of their children are not getting 60 minutes of daily activity outside of school. The campaign's new TV ad, launched this month, urges families to get up and about more in an effort to cut levels of obesity.
Restaurant industry to show calories on menus
Eighteen major catering companies, including many high street brands, will introduce calorie information on their menus for the first time.
Doctors head online for Swine Flu answers
With cases of swine flu spreading to more countries, UK doctors have been heading to trusted online information sources to find answers to their most pressing questions.
Morning has broken (your healthy diet)
It’s pitched as the most important meal of the day, but with only 8 per cent of cereals getting a green light for healthy sugar levels, many Britons are waking up to poor nutrition, a new report has uncovered.
Low-cost lunches pack nutritional punch
Your lunchtime sandwich could contain as much salt as nine packs of ready salted crisps, but you might not realise because it doesn’t have to carry a nutritional label, says consumer champion Which?
Hay fever meds leading to ‘drowsy drivers’
With the hay fever season upon us, new research released today shows that thousands of motorists who suffer from hay fever are taking medication to ease their symptoms but failing to read the labels on their allergy medicines - despite many remedies causing drowsiness that could affect driving ability.
Brits suffering in silence over hearing problems
Around nine million adults in the UK suffer from hearing loss, but only two million seek professional advice to do anything about it. New research by The Hearing Company, to tie in with next week's Deaf Awareness Week, reveals that while 92% of us have had our eyesight checked in the last 10 years, only 31% of us have done the same for our hearing.
Swine Flu - Basic hygiene measures reduces risk of infection
Swine Flu is suddenly in most people’s minds, as experts try and monitor the risk of a worldwide pandemic. So far, the information which has come to light indicates that the H1N1 strain carries a lower risk of fatality and serious long term illness than bird flu for example, as to be caught, it requires direct contact with infected humans.
Internet self-diagnosis puts 1 in 6 at risk
Nearly one in six people in England have used the internet to self-diagnose an illness instead of consulting their GP, revealed a Department of Health poll released this week. Yet without the guidance of a qualified doctor or nurse, many are diagnosing themselves incorrectly.
New study reveals hidden benefits of home cooking
On average we cover an impressive 78 miles in the kitchen annually - just from preparing and cooking our meals, according to the findings of a new study released this week by New World home appliances. That’s the equivalent of three marathons every year.
Heightened alert over swine flu pandemic
The Director-General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4. The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.
Reach for your rake, but save the strain
A recent survey found that 80% of people in the UK suffer with back pain*, but despite its many health benefits, more than half of adults over 35 put their pain down to a result of the nation’s favourite pastime - gardening.
Diet company cracks the code for tomato soup
A food company is claiming it has finally found the winning formula for the comfort food favourite that offers more taste and less waist - tomato soup. For years food technologists in the weight-loss industry have grappled with the problem of creating a low calorie tomato soup that actually tastes of tomato.