Sally Adams summarises a recent Cochrane systematic review on family-based interventions for preventing smoking by children and adolescents, which shows the evidence is strongest for high intensity, family-based interventions that are independent of school-based programmes.
[read the full story...]How can commissioners improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people?
Alison Turner summarises the Department of Health’s Future in Mind report, which builds on the work of the Children & Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce and sets out a vision for increased coordination and collaboration to improve mental health and wellbeing in children and young people.
[read the full story...]Social determinants of mental health: how our societies are making us mentally unwell and what we can do about it
Mark Horowitz summarises the new WHO and UCL Institute of Health Equity (Michael Marmot) report and research paper on social determinants of mental health. He concludes that it’s time to focus on the root causes of mental distress, namely poverty, unemployment, poor education and social isolation.
[read the full story...]Exercise for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
This Cochrane review authored by the MSK Elf examines the effectiveness of exercise interventions in preventing bone loss and fractures in postmenopausal women.
[read the full story...]Caries Prevention: review suggests that education training and fairer payments would increase prevention delivered by dentists
Seven qualitative studies and 41 surveys were included in this qualitative metasummary of factors that increase or decrease dentists delivery of caries prevention. While the surveys in particular, are of questionable quality some commonality emerges that further education and training coupled with a fairer pay scheme would be a reasonable approach to change the balance in favor of the provision of dental caries preventive measures by dentists
[read the full story...]Mental health anti-stigma programs are (broadly) successful
Dave Steele reports on a recent meta-analysis of mental health anti-stigma programs, which on the whole are found to be effective at reducing the stigma associated with mental disorders.
[read the full story...]Eating disorders: mapping the (lack of) evidence
Helen Bould summarises a recent review that maps the evidence for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders in young people. Her conclusion? A call to arms for more better quality research to help people affected by these serious illnesses.
[read the full story...]Exercise for the prevention and treatment of antenatal depression
Meg Fluharty summarises a recent systematic review looking at exercise for antenatal depression. The review finds preliminary evidence to suggest that exercise may be effective in reducing depression during pregnancy, but the quality of included trials is low to moderate.
[read the full story...]How should I brush my teeth?
Regular daily toothbrushing plays an important part in preventing periodontal disease and caries but is there consensus on how this should be carried out. The main aim of this study was to assess the methods of toothbrushing recommended for both adults and children by dental associations, toothpaste and toothbrush companies and professional dental sources such [read the full story…]
Can schools prevent eating disorders?
In 2012 there was a call from Parliament to research school interventions to reduce body dissatisfaction. Helen Bould reports on an RCT of school-based prevention programme for eating disorders, which highlights the need for more work in this area.
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