Healthy Cities Liverpool

Healthy Cities Liverpool http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/ Healthy Cities Liverpool RSS News Feed Introducing the North West Regional Youth Work Unit The North West Regional Youth Work Unit is a registered charity and Company limited by guarantee. The Charity’s objects (the Objects) are the advancement of education through the development of informal social education and the promoting of youth work for the young people of the North West of England. http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Introducing_the_North_West_Regional_Youth_Work_Unit--post--44.html Companies must do more to guarantee children's nutrition <div id="main-article-info"><div id="main-article-info"><h1 itemprop="name">Companies must do more to guarantee children's nutrition</h1>The dance between policy makers and business over making food more healthy is as live as ever, but companies are starting to react to children's right to nutritious food</div>The dance between policy makers and business over making food more healthy is as live as ever, but companies are starting to react to children's right to nutritious food</div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Companies_must_do_more_to_guarantee_childrens_nutrition--post--43.html International medical conference coming to Liverpool in 2013 <h2>Conference and exhibition venue ACC Liverpool has secured a four-day medical event next year.</h2><div class="the_article">The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology will hold its 2013 international meeting in October in Liverpool with 2,500 delegates expected to attend from more than 60 countries.The event will bring together thousands of leading experts in women's cancers to learn about new developments in the prevention, treatment and study of gynaecological cancer. </div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/International_medical_conference_coming_to_Liverpool_in_2013--post--42.html Download a report assessing health needs of adult criminal justice offenders in Merseyside <div class="column">Liverpool Public Health Observatory was commissioned by Merseyside Directors of Public Health to carry out a health needs assessment (HNA) of adult offender health across the criminal justice system on Merseyside. HNA is a systematic method for reviewing the health issues facing a population, leading to agreed priorities and resource allocation that will improve health and reduce inequalities. The HNA covers the three prisons on Merseyside: HMP Liverpool, Altcourse and Kennet, as well as offenders on probation and in police custody across Merseyside. Because the majority of female offenders from the Merseyside area who are sent to prison are sent to HMP Styal, Styal was also included. This HNA covers offenders aged 18 and upwards. A health and wellbeing needs assessment of young offenders aged 10-18 is due for completion in December 2012. As part of the health needs assessment, quantitative data on prevalence of mental and physical health problems, as well as a wide range of other measures, were collected from the four prisons, as well as from Merseyside Probation Service. In addition, fifty eight interviews were carried out with key stakeholders, including offenders and key health care staff.Read the results by downloading the report:</div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Download_a_report_assessing_health_needs_of_adult_criminal_justice_offenders_in_Merseyside--post--41.html Nutrition - looking to find help from a qualified professional in your area - click here NutritionA good diet is vital to living a healthy lifestyle and finding the best diet can be complex. There is also a huge amount of advice available to make the right choices and decide what is to be avoided. There are many qualified professionals available to help.If you feel you need professional help, Nutritionist Resource can help you navigate to a qualified professional:0844 8030 244 <a href="http://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk" target="_blank">www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Nutrition__looking_to_find_help_from_a_qualified_professional_in_your_area__click_here--post--40.html New guidelines on nutrition for preschool children have been published. New guidelines on nutrition for preschool children, aimed at reducing obesity, have been published.The advice includes information on what food young children should eat, recipes and help for fussy eaters.The guidelines, from the School Food Trust, follows a report which said that some young children were being given food better suited to adults. http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/New_guidelines_on_nutrition_for_preschool_children_have_been_published--post--39.html Change4Life get healthy in 2012 families encouraged to eat healthily on the cheap An effort to convince families in England that they can eat healthily on a budget is being launched.Four million recipe leaflets will be mailed to families already signed up to the government's Change 4 Life public health campaign.Three supermarket chains have also agreed to offer discounts on products such as fruit, vegetables and fish.Read More<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16365230">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16365230</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Change4Life_get_healthy_in_2012_families_encouraged_to_eat_healthily_on_the_cheap--post--38.html Liverpool anti smoking protests Youth group D-MYST donned cardboard TVs to parade through the city in their new Smoke Off campaign<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;">Read More </div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"> </div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><a href="http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/01/04/anti-smoking-protest-in-liverpool-92534-30056598/#ixzz1iV3vxS7n" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/01/04/anti-smoking-protest-in-liverpool-92534-30056598/#ixzz1iV3vxS7n</a></div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Liverpool_anti_smoking_protests--post--37.html Sea salt health claims 'flawed' Rock and sea salt is no different from ordinary table salt, despite claims it is natural and more healthy, say consumer groups Which and Consensus Action on Salt and Health.Read more:<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15757517">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15757517</a>See also You Tube video prepared by the Salt Institute and the self-styled Salt Guru http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Sea_salt_health_claims_flawed--post--36.html 37.53% of year six Liverpool children are either overweight or obese compared to the England 2011 national average 33.4% <h1>Over a third of children aged 11 are considered to be overweight or obese. What are the figures for your area? Click the link below and find out</h1> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/3753_of_year_six_Liverpool_children_are_either_overweight_or_obese_compared_to_the_England_2011_national_average_334--post--35.html New DEFRA Family Food 2010 report published download here Family Food is the source of detailed statistical information on purchased quantities, expenditure and nutrient intakes derived from both household and eating out food and drink. Data is collected for a sample of households in the United Kingdom using self-reported diaries of all purchases, including food eaten out, over a two week period. Where possible quantities are recorded in the diaries but otherwise estimated. Energy and nutrient intakes are calculated using standard nutrient composition data for each of some 500 types of food.For more information and to download the report <a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/foodfarm/food/familyfood/">click here</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/New_DEFRA_Family_Food_2010_report_published_download_here--post--34.html Fight festive over-indulgence with a Christmas walk Did you know that thirty minutes or more of exercise can reduce the levels of fats – such as cholesterol – in your blood for up to two days? http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Fight_festive_overindulgence_with_a_Christmas_walk--post--33.html New institute to help narrow the health gap A new University College London (UCL) Institute that aims to reduce health inequalities through action on social determinants has been launched.The <a class="external-link" href="http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/" target="_blank" title="University College London (UCL) Institute of Health Equity">UCL Institute of Health Equity</a>, which will be led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, will receive £1 million funding from the Department of Health over the next three years to take forward action that will reduce health inequalities in England.The Institute, which will be independent, will also be supported by UCL, the British Medical Association and independently commissioned projects.The UCL Institute of Health Equity will collect the latest evidence, provide expert advice and share best practice both locally and internationally.The Institute has already started to help a number of local organisations take action on the social determinants of health to reduce health inequalities. It will ensure England remains at the forefront of international action and provide vital guidance and support to local organisations during the transition to Public Health England and the new NHS. http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/New_institute_to_help_narrow_the_health_gap--post--32.html Salt guidelines causing confusion - British Heart Foundation advice issued <h1>Stick to salt guidelines for now</h1>Reducing the amount of salt you eat might not have an overall positive impact on heart health, a new piece of research claims.<a href="http://www.bhf.org.uk/media/news-from-the-bhf/unhealthy-salt.aspx" target="_blank">read the full article here</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Salt_guidelines_causing_confusion__British_Heart_Foundation_advice_issued--post--31.html UK's oesophageal cancer rate is worst in Europe UK's oesophageal cancer rate is worst in EuropeHeavy drinking and growing obesity are contributing to an increase in oesophageal cancer, a new analysis has claimed, as the UK topped a European survey of the disease.Cutting back on smoking and alcohol and eating healthier would help Britons reduce their risk of contracting the cancer, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). It rates the UK as joint 31st-worst in the world, alongside some of Africa and Asia's poorest countries. http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/UKs_oesophageal_cancer_rate_is_worst_in_Europe--post--30.html Life expectancy at birth has risen steadily over the last fifteen years <div class="firstPar">Life expectancy at birth has risen steadily over the last fifteen years as the proportion of deaths due to cancer, heart attacks and strokes has fallen significantly. </div><div class="secondPar">According to the Department of Health's report on life expectancy and morality in England, girls born today can expect to live an average of 82 years, with boys living until 78.</div><div class="thirdPar">Children born today will live two years longer than children born ten years ago.</div><div class="fourthPar">Meanwhile, the proportion of people under 75 dying from cancer each year has dropped by 15 per cent over the last decade.</div><div class="fifthPar">The proportion of deaths due to heart attacks and strokes has dropped by 41 per cent over the same period.<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/interactive-graphics/graphic-of-the-day/8853349/Graphic-life-expectancy-rises-as-Britons-suffer-fewer-heart-attacks-and-strokes.html">Read the report in the Daily Telegraph</a><a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_130282">Click here to download</a> ......the Department of Health Mortality Monitoring Bulletin (Life expectancy and all-age-all-cause mortality, and mortality from selected causes, overall and inequalities): update to include data for 2010 </div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Life_expectancy_at_birth_has_risen_steadily_over_the_last_fifteen_years--post--29.html Consumers 'don't pay attention to nutrition labels' Consumers 'don't pay attention to nutrition labels' BBC News reports that, according to a US study, nutrition labels should be placed in the centre of food packaging, rather than in one corner, if shoppers are going to read them. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15402403" target="_blank">Click Here for the full article </a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Consumers_dont_pay_attention_to_nutrition_labels--post--28.html Life expectancy gap between rich and poor widens in UK to up to 13.5 years Life expectancy gap between rich and poor widens in UK to up to 13.5 years An article in Medical News Today suggests that a boy from the affluent Kensington and Chelsea areas of London can expect to live 13.5 years longer than his counterpart in Glasgow. This is according to a new report issued by the Office for National Statistics. The authors add that overall people in the UK are living longer - a male's life expectancy at birth is now 78.2 years; for a female it is 82.3 years. <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236258.php" target="_blank">Click Here to read more</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Life_expectancy_gap_between_rich_and_poor_widens_in_UK_to_up_to_135_years_--post--27.html Healthy Places is now live - online resource explains how planning law and regulation can be used to create and support healthy communities Healthy Places - new interactive online resource developed by the National Heart Forum (NHF) - is now live. The resource, which explains how planning law and regulation can be used by both planning and health practitioners to create and support healthy communities, has been developed with funding from the Department of Health.Healthy Places focuses on legal areas that are new, interesting, often not fully understood, or, not recognised at all as having a potential impact on health in a local area. It highlights areas of law that have the potential to change local environments and encourage more active lifestyles and better diets, and to improve the health of a community.Healthy Places is not a checklist of health measures for local communities to adopt; instead this site explains the operation of laws that could enable, or place limits on, local government and community activity that affects the healthiness of a place. Case studies are an important practical example of how others have used the regulatory environment to promote physical activity or healthy eating in their areas- shaping healthier places to live in. <a href="http://www.healthyplaces.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://</a>www.healthyplaces.org.uk/ http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Healthy_Places_is_now_live__online_resource_explains_how_planning_law_and_regulation_can_be_used_to_create_and_support_healthy_communities--post--26.html Participate in the consultation on the European review of the social determinants of health <div class="leftAndRightNavVisible" id="ctl00_width"><div class="center" id="ctl00_center"><h1>A consultation has been launched on the European review of the social determinants of health & the health divide in the World Health Organisation European region.</h1>The consultation document is available <a href="http://www.marmotreview.org/AssetLibrary/Members/consultation%20report%20final.doc" target="_blank">here</a>.The list of questions for consultation is available <a href="http://www.marmotreview.org/AssetLibrary/Members/ConsultationQuestionsFinal.doc" target="_blank">here</a>.The review team welcome responses from individuals and organisations from across the 53 countries of the European regions, from within all sectors and levels of government.Please return any responses to <a href="mailto:europeanreview@ucl.ac.uk">europeanreview@ucl.ac.uk</a> by Friday 25th November 2011.</div></div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Participate_in_the_consultation_on_the_European_review_of_the_social_determinants_of_health--post--25.html Fight to tackle tobacco harm to save over £160.1million in Liverpool <div class="copyita">Councillor Roz Gladden and Dr Paula Grey attended a national conference on 11th October and pledged to join the fight to tackle tobacco harm in Liverpool and make smoking history for children.The conference was attended by Public Health Minister Anne Milton and leading local authority figures and discussions focused on how they can tackle tobacco in our local communities. From April 2013 local authorities will be wholly responsible for public health and tackling tobacco will be a key priority. Smoking costs communities hugely, not only in terms of health impacts and costs to the NHS, but also in terms of fires, litter, lost days at work and productivity. A tool that has been developed to calculate the impacts estimates that the cost to Liverpool is £160.1million. This cost broken down can be found at: <a href="http://www.ash.org.uk/localtoolkit/R2-NW.html" target="_blank">http://www.ash.org.uk/localtoolkit/R2-NW.html</a> The government’s Healthy Lives, Healthy People: a tobacco control plan for England sets out clearly the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling tobacco. A range of measures have already been implemented or are being considered. These include:<ul style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type="disc"><li>Cigarette vending machines legislation to stop easy access for young people (implemented 1st October)</li><li>Point of sale displays legislation which comes in next Spring</li><li>A commitment to consulting on plain packaging for tobacco products</li><li>Preventing the promotion of tobacco though entertainment media </li></ul>Dr Paula Grey, Director of Public Health for Liverpool said: “Tackling tobacco across communities in Liverpool needs to be a priority, not only to protect the health of children but also to make substantial savings and help our local economy.”Cllr Roz Gladden, Liverpool City Council cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “The costs of smoking to the city can be calculated in economic terms, but its costs in terms of suffering is incalculable both for individual smokers and their families. We will prioritise tackling tobacco and look to the Government to support our efforts with the funding it requires.”Minister for Public Health, Anne Milton said: “Smoking remains one of our biggest public health challenges. Much progress has been made but we need to re invigorate efforts at all levels including persuading people not to ever start smoking - local authorities are ideally placed to do this. The creation of Public Health England will also help achieve this.": "I congratulate the Local Government Group for putting this important conference together".Tobacco Free Futures hosted a breakfast meeting prior to the main conference specifically for North West councillors which included speakers such as pioneer Professor Gerard Hastings. Professor Hastings called on local councillors to push the boundaries on what local powers are available to them and to look further than the government’s plan to ensure that children in their local communities are protected from tobacco harm. He said: “Less than 3% of doctors now smoke; no one is going to convince me that factory workers, electricians, call centre workers, nurses, and the unemployed are any less capable of walking away from this lethal habit. They just need the right encouragement and support. Local authorities, who have always been at the forefront of enlightened social change, should pick up the mantel and lead people on this short and empowering walk to freedom. “And in their child protection role, local authorities should do everything possible to shield young people from the tobacco industry; 85% of new smokers are children. A century ago local authorities acted to stop children being sent up chimneys, now they should act to stop them being turned into chimneys. “ Julie Webster, Chair of Tobacco Free Futures, said: “We have made enormous progress with the fight against tobacco with the rates of 14 year-olds having over the last two year but there is still so much more to be done. It’s important that local areas are given the powers to implement measures to protect their local population and it’s also important that we collaborate and work together to make sure the government continue to be brave in its approach to protecting children and young people from tobacco. I think the Minister attending the conference today is a strong indicator of how important tackling tobacco is to public health.”Cllr Linda Thomas, Deputy Chair, LG Group Community Wellbeing Programme Board said: “Councils have long been at the heart of tackling problems associated with smoking, both in terms of trading standards and environmental health teams cracking down on illegal sales and public health staff helping people kick the habit or encouraging them not to start in the first place. “With the abolition of primary care trusts by 2013, councils will take the full lead on reducing smoking. Public heath is at the heart of what we do and this is a role we’re happy to take on, but it’s vital we’re given adequate funding from Government to do the job properly." Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Jonathan Couriel from Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: “Adult smoking is an important cause of serious illness and death in children. Parents who smoke during pregnancy, and after their child has been born, jeopardise their child’s health. In the UK, there are almost a 1000 GP visits and hospital admissions each day for childhood illness caused by adults smoking. All of these effects are avoidable. All of us responsible for the health of children need to work to support parents’ giving up smoking.”</div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Fight_to_tackle_tobacco_harm_to_save_over_1601million_in_Liverpool--post--24.html Obesity has a greater impact on the blood pressure of teenage girls than on teenage boys Source - BBC HealthObesity has a greater impact on the blood pressure of teenage girls than on teenage boys, a US study has suggested.The study of 1,700 teenagers, presented to the American Physiological Society conference, found girls had three times the risk of higher blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke in later life.A British Heart Foundation spokeswoman said a third of young people in the UK were overweight or obese.Read more on the BBC Health website - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15305061" target="_blank">click here</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Obesity_has_a_greater_impact_on_the_blood_pressure_of_teenage_girls_than_on_teenage_boys--post--23.html ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England’ published Following on from the <a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/07/healthy-lives-healthy-people/">Public Health White Paper</a>, this document sets out how action on obesity will be delivered as the move is made towards the new public health system.The <a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_130401" title="Healthy lives, healthy people: a call to action on obesity in England">Call to action</a> announces the Government’s new national ambitions for a downward trend in excess weight in both children and adults by 2020 and sets out how, by working together, a wide range of partners will be able to make these ambitions a reality.As part of the vision for achieving these ambitions, the Call to action issues a new ‘calorie reduction challenge’, calling on the food and drink industry to play a key role – alongside Government and others – in reducing the population’s calorie intake by 5 billion calories a day to help close the crucial imbalance between energy in and energy out.Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “We have to halt and then reverse the tide of obesity in this country. Government has a role to play, but it is clear that we cannot do this alone. We need to work in a broad partnership with local authorities, businesses, charities, health professionals and individuals.“We have already seen how we can move further, faster through the <a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/policy-areas/public-health/phrd/">Responsibility Deal</a> and I am now challenging business to help us make even greater progress.“Reducing the number of calories we consume is essential. It can happen if business continues action to reduce calories in everyday foods and drinks, and if all of us who are overweight take simple steps to reduce our calorie intake.“If we collectively rise to the challenge we have set in the Call to Action, we can create an environment that helps people make informed, balanced choices about their health and reduce the burden of obesity.”<h3>A new approach</h3>The Call to action also sets out:<ul><li>how a wide range of partners can work together to ensure that people get the right support and information to help them reach and maintain a healthier weight</li><li>the importance of action focusing on both children and adults, and on both prevention and treatment</li><li>the message that while physical activity is important, for most of us reducing the amount of calories we consume is key to weight loss</li><li>how under the new public health system local authorities will have an enhanced role, supported by a ring-fenced budget, and will bring together local partners, including the NHS, to provide effective interventions</li><li>how at national level we will support local areas by making sure they have access to the best possible data and evidence</li><li>a continuing key role for Government to complement this work by leading the Public Health Responsibility Deal and national campaigns such as Change4Life</li></ul> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Healthy_Lives_Healthy_People_A_call_to_action_on_obesity_in_England_published--post--22.html production company Mills Media has completed a series of online films for Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network Read more via the How Doo website - <a href="http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-digital-media/mills-media-completes-healthcare-films-20111013100955653">click here</a> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/production_company_Mills_Media_has_completed_a_series_of_online_films_for_Merseyside_and_Cheshire_Cancer_Network_--post--21.html Liverpool people encouraged to get their free seasonal flu vaccine early (click here to view details of who is affected) A free seasonal flu vaccine is offered every autumn to people who are more at risk of serious illness or death from flu and Liverpool people of any age with underlying health conditions, all pregnant women and everyone aged 65 and over are being encouraged to get their vaccine now.Dr Emer Coffey, Consultant in Public Health at Liverpool PCT, said: “Flu had a nasty impact last winter. It was the worst winter for flu for several years in Merseyside and our hospitals were under pressure because there were so many people admitted suffering from serious effects associated with the virus.“Every year more and more people at risk are making sure they get their flu jab. Last winter, three out of four people aged 65 years and over and over half those under 65 years with underlying health conditions, received the vaccination in Merseyside, proving just how popular the flu jab is. The simple message is, don’t wait until there is a flu outbreak this winter, if you are at risk, contact your doctor or practice nurse now to get your flu jab."Even if you feel healthy, you are advised to consider having the free seasonal flu jab if you have:<ul><li>A heart problem</li><li>A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis or emphysema</li><li>A kidney disease</li><li>Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment</li><li>A liver disease</li><li>Had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA)</li><li>Diabetes</li><li>A neurological condition, for example multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy</li><li>A problem with your spleen, for example sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed</li></ul> The flu jab is also recommended if you are:<ul><li>pregnant</li><li>aged 65 years or over</li><li>Living in a residential or nursing home</li><li>The main carer for an older or disabled person</li><li>A frontline health or social care worker </li></ul>For more information about flu and vaccinations available go to www.nhs.uk, or visit your GP http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Liverpool_people_encouraged_to_get_their_free_seasonal_flu_vaccine_early_click_here_to_view_details_of_who_is_affected--post--20.html Today is the World Mental Health Day 2011 promoted by the World Health Organisation - click here to read more <h1 class="headline">World Mental Health Day</h1>10 October 2011 World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental health issues. The day promotes open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. The treatment gap for mental, neurological and substance use disorders is formidable especially in poor resource countries. This year the theme is "Investing in mental health". Message from the UN Secretay General Financial and human resources allocated for mental health are inadequate especially in low resource countries. The majority of low- and middle-income countries spend less than 2% of their health budget on mental health. Many countries have less than one mental health specialist per one million population. Even a considerable part of the limited resources is spent on large mental hospitals and not for services delivered through community and primary health care.We need to increase investment for mental health and to shift the available resources towards more effective and more humanitarian forms of services.To find out more click the link below http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Today_is_the_World_Mental_Health_Day_2011_promoted_by_the_World_Health_Organisation__click_here_to_read_more--post--19.html Health inequalities at the early stages translate into inequalities in terms of achievement later in life Breastfeeding can boots social mobility, experts tell ministers"We know that health inequalities at the early stages translate into inequalities in terms of achievement later in life"Dr Emilia Del Bono (Economist - University of Essex Institute of Social and Economic Research)The Observer reports on calls for government to act on new research that shows the importance of a baby's early weeks to success in later life.Read more - <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/oct/09/breastfeeding-link-to-social-mobility?INTCMP=SRCH" target="_blank">http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/oct/09/breastfeeding-link-to-social-mobility?INTCMP=SRCH</a>Conference in London this week (ISER at the British Academy - Wednesday 12th October 2011) shows that breastfeeding can boost children's IQ and health and reduces the chances of behavioural and weight problems.READ the Healthy Cities advice via the link below: http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Health_inequalities_at_the_early_stages_translate_into_inequalities_in_terms_of_achievement_later_in_life--post--18.html The Health Lottery is launched amid criticism from existing society lottery operators A new lottery - the Health Lottery - has been launched in competition with the National Lottery and other society lotteries such as those run for the benefit of hospices and air ambulance.The new lottery represents 51 individual society lotteries covering local authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales. Each week different society lotteries take part in the national draw and then raise money for health related good causes decide on by local people.However, existing lottery operators are critical of the motives of the new lottery as it only donates the minimum legal amount of 20p for every one pound spent meaning 80p goes to the prize fund and running costs. The National Lottery gives 28p in the pound to the Big Lottery Fund and many society lotteries for hospices and air ambulances donate anything from 50-75% in every pound.The application for funding will open later today at <a href="http://www.healthylottery.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.healthylottery.co.uk</a>For advice on how to play responsibly and more information contact GamCare 08456 000133 http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/The_Health_Lottery_is_launched_amid_criticism_from_existing_society_lottery_operators--post--17.html World Heart Federation calls for urgent action to protect children's heart health in world's most populous cities The World Heart Federation calls for a new approach to make cities heart healthier for the children who live in them. The call to action follows research commissioned by them which shows that increasing urbanization threatens the current and future heart health of children. The research results are presented in a new report entitled, Urbanization and Cardiovascular Disease: Raising Heart-Healthy Children in Today’s Cities. The report summary – made available today – shows how urban life in low- and middle-income countries – often imposes limitations on the ways in which children live, and restricts opportunities for heart-healthy behaviours. In large cities across the globe, urban living actually facilitates unhealthy behaviour in children, including: physical inactivity, eating unhealthy foods, and even tobacco use by children as young as two. Crowded city living environments can also spread diseases such as rheumatic fever, which if left untreated, can cause rheumatic heart disease. The report notes that children are particularly at risk of the negative health effects of city life, since they are most dependent on and affected by their living environment. Since urbanization is continuing to occur rapidly worldwide, urgent action is needed to prevent an “epidemic” of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including heart attacks and stroke. http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/World_Heart_Federation_calls_for_urgent_action_to_protect_childrens_heart_health_in_worlds_most_populous_cities--post--16.html Liverpool publishes sustainable community strategy - obtain a copy from www.liverpoolfirst.org.uk <div style="clear: both; padding-top: 4px;">Liverpool 2024 - a thriving international cityLiverpool aims to be a thriving international city and to achieve this our city vision focuses on a number of priorities for change that include health and wellbeing.The vision is set out in the city's sustainable community strategy and you can obtain a copy from Liverpool First.<a href="http://www.liverpoolfirst.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.liverpoolfirst.org.uk</a>0151 296 7553</div> http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Liverpool_publishes_sustainable_community_strategy__obtain_a_copy_from_wwwliverpoolfirstorguk--post--15.html Liverpool leads the UK in building for a better urban future Liverpool’s request to be included in the UN-HABITAT 100 Cities Initiative was developed by Liverpool Vision and supported by Liverpool City Council and a range of high-profile private and public sector partners, including Peel, Cofely/GDF SUEZ and Arup. It was endorsed at the highest level during a steering group meeting of the UN-HABITAT World Urban Campaign in Amsterdam earlier this month. Liverpool presented nine case studies representing the activity and aspirations of public, private and civic organisations. The nine were: • Liverpool Waters • The Eldonians District Energy System • Liverpool Commercial District partnership • Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2012 • Liverpool’s Decade of Health and Wellbeing • Rights and Humanity International Centre of Excellence • Women’s International Centre for Economic Development (WICED) • Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine • Liverpool Food Alliance Liverpool will now be showcased at the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Naples, Italy in 2012 as one of the cities which align to the sustainable development principles of the UN-HABITAT programme. The last World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro in 2010 attracted 14,000 participants from more than 150 countries. Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, said: “Liverpool clearly has a great story to tell, which resonates across the world and more people want to hear it. “This is an exciting development and a considerable honour. Only 21 other cities have so far joined the UN-HABITAT 100 Cities Initiative and Liverpool is the first UK participant. “The UN has recognised our commitment to building a better sustainable future for our citizens through our presence in the Urban Best Practice Area at World Expo last year and the fact Eldonians won a UN-HABITAT award in 2004 means the city already has a profile at their HQ in Nairobi. “It offers the city the chance to learn from others, share our experience and build long term international relationships which the city can benefit from for many years, as well as showcasing the city to potential investors and visitors.” In addition to World Expo 2010 and European Capital of Culture 2008 Liverpool’s assets focused on many of the achievements during the last decade including: World Heritage Site Status 2003; UN-HABITAT award-winning Eldonian Village 2004; Urban Land Institute award-winning £1bn Liverpool ONE retail development 2008; Europe’s greenest Arena and Convention Centre; RIBA award-winning extension to the Liverpool-Leeds Canal link 2009 and the pioneering work of the Universities and School of Tropical Medicine. Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: “These are exciting times for Liverpool. We have always said that our city must not stand still and that we must take every opportunity to maintain our momentum and build a more prosperous city. “The city has picked up many accolades in recent years and is well-known for its excellence in many sectors, but we are not resting on our laurels. “There must be no let up and that is why we opened an embassy in London, it’s why we bid for the GEC, beating other cities from around the world and now joining the UN-HABITAT 100 Cities initiative will allow us to take further steps forward. “Being part of this initiative will grant us exposure to a global network of private sector partners that are promoting leading edge practices in sustainable urban development and give us insight into new public private partnerships and models for investment.” UN-HABITAT´s spokesperson, Ana B. Moreno, said “It is with great satisfaction we welcome Liverpool to the 100 Cities Initiative. The World Urban Campaign is a global platform of public, private and civil society partners working together cooperatively with a common vision and set of goals to promote and reinforce policies, strategies and actions to contribute to the well-being of cities throughout the world”. “We will be pleased to have Liverpool´s experience at the World Urban Forum next September 2012 in Naples to show best practices on how to improve citizens’ quality of life. We expect more cities to join this initiative as a way on developing a better urban environment.” http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/Liverpool_leads_the_UK_in_building_for_a_better_urban_future--post--14.html A brand new campaign launched called IT'S LIVERPOOL promoting the city's reputation as a great place to live, work, invest, study and visit Liverpool Vision has launched a brand new campaign called It’s Liverpool, which aims to communicate and accelerate Liverpool’s renewal, using a radical approach that invites all of the city’s sectors, businesses, communities and individuals to speak up for their city and challenge outdated perceptions. It will help build Liverpool’s reputation as a modern, global city and a great place to live, work, invest, study and visit. http://www.healthycitiesliverpool.co.uk/A_brand_new_campaign_launched_called_ITS_LIVERPOOL_promoting_the_citys_reputation_as_a_great_place_to_live_work_invest_study_and_visit--post--13.html