In the news
Budget response
In his first speech as Chancellor, Alistair Darling today announced a rise in the tax on alcohol of 6% above inflation. This is the biggest increase in terms of monetary value since the 1970s. However, public health organisations, including the Faculty of Public Health, don't believe this is enough to have an effect on binge drinking levels.
12 March 2007
"“It's a good start, but still way short of what's needed to make a real dent in binge drinking” says FPH President Professor Alan Maryon-Davis.
“Current prices are so low that young people can binge for less than the cost of a burger and chips. The Chancellor's tax hike will help to deter some of them some of the time, but needs to go much further to make a real difference.”
See the BBC website for the full article.
Anti-obesity drugs
The BBC today reported an eight-fold increase in the prescription of anti-obesity drugs in the past seven years. FPH President, Alan Maryon-Davis had this to say...
31 January 2008
"Doctors and other health professionals do not have the time to spend on the in-depth diet and exercise advice that is really needed.
"So my fear is that these drugs of last resort are actually used quite early on. It is too easy to turn to the prescription pad."
See the BBC website for the full article.
Food Labelling
The UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) has expressed its disappointment over the decision by the European Commission to support the use of the ‘guideline daily amount' food labelling system.
31 January 2008
EU backs rival food label scheme
Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said:"This is a potential disaster for the health of European consumers.
"The GDA system is too complicated and applies only to adults of average build. But what about everybody else?
"The EU has yet again bowed down to the food industry. We urgently need the much simpler traffic-light system to help us make healthier choices."
See the BBC website for the full article.
Related items:
- FPH supports new fat fighting strategy (press release 24/01/08)
Climate Change
29 January 2008
Climate Change Health Catastrophe Warning:
Climate change could lead to a "global public health catastrophe", according to the president of the faculty of public health, Dr Alan Maryon-Davis.
Dr Maryon-Davis is one of the speakers at an international conference on climate change, to be held at the Royal College of Physicians.
He said: "As a health and healthcare community we must use our knowledge, skills, influence and networks as urgently and effectively as possible to reduce its impact...
See www.staffnurse.com for the full article
Related items:
- Climate change: health sector must lead by example (press release 22/01/08)
- Sustaining a Healthy Future - take action on climate change (FPH guide 22/01/08)