1997 report of the Substance Misuse Prevention Project

This report presents a brief outline of the Substance Misuse Prevention Project at the end of its first year. The report outlines developments under the following headings: Education and training; Community development; Raising awareness and developing resources; Building local contacts; Multi-agency activities; Advice and referral; and, Research and monitoring.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Building a Transition Community

Footprints is developing a Transition Community Initiative which will be another distinct area of work within the Healthy Living Project, as part of the group's ongoing endeavours to influence change within the Colin community, tackling health inequalities. The Building a Transition Community Initiative oversees the development of the grounds at Footprints Women's Centre and offers food growing training to local residents who will be encouraged to volunteer in the garden. A local gardener has been hired and oversees the development and training of the volunteers. The project will grow fruit and vegetables within the grounds of Footprints Women's Centre and this produce will be used within the Footprints Catering Services. Any supplies surplus to requirements will be used in schools in the neighbourhood. Skills learned by the volunteers will also be transferred to their gardens at home throughout the Colin neighbourhood. The aim is also to demonstrate how participation in this project will increase and improve the physical activity levels and mental wellbeing of residents. Part of theDemonstration Programme 2010-2012 Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Antrim Target Groups Women Partner Agencies safefood

24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring is unhelpful in the investigation of older persons with recurrent falls

Although frequently used in the assessment of patients with falls, it is unclear whether 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography contributes to their assessment in older persons. The aim of this study is to identify electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with recurrent falls and case controls, and determine whether 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography identifies causal arrhythmias for falls. 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography recordings were compared for the type and prevalence of arrhythmias and symptom correlation in consecutive older subjects with recurrent falls attending the accident and emergency department and in case controls (no previous falls or syncope).

Life Expectancy and All Age All Cause Mortality Monitoring (Overall and Health Inequalities) - Update to include data for 2007

The latest annual update on life expectancy data and all age all cause mortality rates, with data updated to 2005-07, which are used to monitor progress against Department of Health targets for overall life expectancy in England, and for the gap in life expectancy between the areas with the worst health and deprivation indicators (the Spearhead group) and the England average, was released on 13th November 2008 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

Mortality target monitoring (life expectancy and all-age all-cause mortality, overall and inequalities)

The latest annual update on life expectancy data and all age all cause mortality rates, with data updated to 2006-08, which are used to monitor progress against Department of Health targets for overall life expectancy in England, and for the gap in life expectancy between the areas with the worst health and deprivation indicators (the Spearhead group) and the England average, was released on 5th November 2009 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. �� The key points from the latest release are: �� - The overall life expectancy and all age all cause mortality (AAACM) trends for both males and females are broadly on course to deliver the target of 78.6 years for men and 82.5 years for women by 2010 (2009-11). �� - In 2006-08, life expectancy at birth in England continued to increase for both males and females, and reached its highest level on record at 77.7 years for males and 81.9 years for females. �� - Three-year average AAACM rates for England have fallen in each period since 1995-97. �� - In 2006-08, average life expectancy at birth in the Spearhead Group was 75.8 years for males and 80.4 years for females, having increased in each period since 1995-97. �� - However, England average life expectancy at birth has increased more quickly over this period, and, in 2006-08, the relative gap ��� i.e. percentage difference - in life expectancy at birth between England and the Spearhead Group was wider than at the baseline for the target (1995-97) for both males and females. �� - For males the relative gap was 7% wider than at the baseline (compared with 4% wider in 2005-07), for females 14% wider (compared with 11% wider in 2005-07).�� �� Therefore, the target to narrow the life expectancy gap between the Spearhead Group and the England average, by at least 10% by 2010, remains challenging.��Three-year average AAACM rates for the Spearhead Group have fallen in each period since 1995-97 for both males and females. Download Mortality target monitoring (life expectancy and all-age all-cause mortality, overall and inequalities): update to include data for 2008 (PDF, 683K)Download pre-release access list (PDF, 10k)��

Building Evidence for Dementia Prevention

As was the case in 2010 when the National Institutes of Health issued a consensus statement on the prevention of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, there remains a lack of firm evidence for dementia prevention. Because of the difficulties in studying this phenomenon, no modifiable risk factors for dementia have been definitively established, and no pharmaceutical or nutritional supplements been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline. However, longitudinal observational studies have identified several factors associated with dementia. A recent review article summarizes the current epidemiological evidence about Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and presents three ongoing large scale randomized control trials (RCTs) that focus on preventing dementia. The review argues that there is substantial evidence for many factors that, in combination, might reduce the risk of, or delay the onset of, dementia. Although no specific cure for dementia exists, and no specific pathway between risk factor and disease onset has been identified, several cardiovascular, stress, toxicity, and psychosocial variables have been repeatedly associated with dementia. Protective factors, such as high education, physical exercise, and not smoking cigarettes, have been identified as well. Intervention studies that account for these multiple factors may well identify strategies for preventing or delaying dementia. However, the protective effects and risk factors suggested by observational data have yet to be assessed in RCT research. The role of such factors in reducing or increasing the risk for dementia needs to be more specifically defined. Three ongoing RCT studies in Europe show promise in this area, as they target multiple risk and protective factors by promoting healthy lifestyle changes and medical treatment of vascular diseases. These are: FINGER, a Finnish trial involving 1,200 older adults at risk for dementia. This intervention features nutritional guidance, physical activity, cognitive and social engagement, and medical management of risk factors. Participants were involved in previous, intensive observational studies of vascular health and health behavior, so FINGER will provide a level of relevant information about its research subjects that is normally impossible for clinical RCTs to attain;MAPT, a multicenter study of 1,680 frail older adults in France. This study will compare the efficacy of omega-3 dietary supplementation with a multidomain training intervention that involves physical and cognitive training. The study will include follow-up assessments after five years;PreDIVA, a Dutch study of 3,534 community dwelling participants between 70 and 78 years old, recruited from primary care clinics. This study will compare standard medical care with a multicomponent vascular health intervention. The study will last for six years and measure both dementia and disability outcomes. These studies are an important step in dementia research, using earlier observational studies as the basis for rigorously assessed interventions. Although a cure for dementia has not been identified, this new research may identify preventive strategies against dementia. �� Source: Mangialasche F, Kivipelto M, et al. (2012). Dementia prevention: current epidemiological evidence and future perspective. Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy 4:6.

Building Consensus for the Future - Report of the Feasibility Study on Palliative Care for People with Dementia

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland have launched a report "Building Consensus for the Future: Report of the Feasibility Study on Palliative Care for People with Dementia".�� The report outlines the findings of a research project carried out in association with the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Monitoring trends in health in the East Midlands

A report published in 2002, Monitoring the State of the East Midlands. Sustainable Development Objectives and Targets for the East Midlands. Health Indicators, proposed a set of seven high-level health indicators for monitoring health status and health inequalities in the Region. The report also proposed a number of health improvement and health inequality reduction targets drawn from key national and regional strategy documents including Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation and The East Midlands Integrated Regional Strategy. These relate to: - Life expectancy at birth. - Teenage pregnancy rate. - Mortality rate from circulatory disease in people aged under 75. - Mortality rate from cancer in people aged under 75. - Mortality rate from accidents in people of all ages. - Suicide rate in people of all ages. - Prevalence of cigarette smoking in people aged 16 and over. Progress towards these targets will indicate that the twin aims of the regional public health strategy Investment for Health - to improve health and to reduce health inequalities - are being achieved. This report updates these indicators with the latest available data. At the time of writing, data were available for years up to and including 2003 for most indicators. Please note that the latest data are provisional at this stage.

Health inequality target monitoring: update to include data for 2006

These reports summarise progress against Department of Health inequality targets for 2010 in the following areas: Infant mortality; life expectancy at birth for males and for females; cancer (premature mortality rate) and all circulatory diseases (premature mortality rate). Key facts Infant mortality The inequality gap in the infant mortality rate has reduced for the second consecutive period, though not yet by a sufficient amount to meet the target, based on the trend since the current socio economic classifications were introduced in 2001. Life expectancy at birth (males and females) The inequality gaps in male and female life expectancy at birth have both increased since the baseline. If current trends continue, the target would not be met. Cancer mortality The inequality gap in cancer mortality has declined since the baseline (despite a slight increase in the latest period), and the minimum requirement for the 2010 target has already been met. All circulatory diseases mortality The inequality gap in circulatory disease mortality has declined, and is on track to meet the target.

Mortality target monitoring: infant mortality, inequalities. Update to include data for 2008

The 2008 annual update on infant mortality rates to monitor progress against the Department of Health infant mortality inequality PSA target.

Health monitoring for black and minority ethnic groups

This paper explores some aspects of health monitoring in relation to black and ethnic minority populations in London. It considers where research in London and elsewhere has shown evidence of inequalities between ethnic groups, and draws out the issues for recording, analysis and sharing of ethnic-specific data.

The Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework: Building on excellence,maintaining progress - Progress report for 2008

This report details the progress which has been made in implementing the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework in the eight years since its publication.

Assessing, measuring and monitoring local health inequalities

This briefing has been put together by Eastern Region PHO outlining how to measure and monitor health inequalities in a local area, such as a primary care trust (PCT) or a local authority. It has been designed to help support action to tackle health inequalities in new NHS organisations and for Local Area Agreements (LAAs). Click on the link to view the document.

Anti Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools - Appendix 2 Practical tips for building a positive school culture and climate

Anti Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools - Appendix 2 Practical tips for building a positive school culture and climate. Provided by the Department of Education and Skills, Ireland.