Keep vapes put of the sight of children, local government urges

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for strict new measures to regulate the display and marketing of vaping products in the same way as tobacco, in plain packaging and with age-of-sale signage.

Councils are especially concerned by the marketing of vapes with fruity and bubble gum flavours and colourful child-friendly packaging.

The LGA says there has been a sharp increase in incidents where shops have been caught selling vapes to youngsters and councils have had to step in. It adds there should be a ban on free samples of vaping products being given out to people of any age.

Image: Courtesy of Adobe

Millions of people with mental health needs still not accessing services, NAO finds

Despite funding and staffing levels for mental health services increasing and more patients being treated, millions of people with mental health needs are still not accessing services, with some facing lengthy waits for treatment, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report, Progress in improving mental health services in England.

The report says it is unclear how far current government commitments take the NHS towards its end goal, and what else is needed to achieve it. While funding and the workforce for mental health services have increased and more people have been treated, many people still cannot access services or have lengthy waits for treatment. Staff shortages continue and data that would demonstrate the results of service developments are limited.

Nature not nurture to blame for OCD, research claims

Research published in JAMA Psychiatry has suggested Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is transmitted from parent to child mostly through genetics and not the way a child is raised.

The population register–based study found OCD was transmitted from parents to children largely through a genetic relationship, while rearing appeared to play a minor role. OCD and anxiety disorders were moderately genetically correlated, with the genetic correlation being strongest between OCD and generalized anxiety disorder, intermediate with social phobia and weakest for panic disorder.

Library Bulletins

Suicide Prevention and Dementia

The current bulletins for Suicide Prevention and Dementia, produced by Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust, are now available to view and download.

For support accessing any of the articles within the bulletins please contact: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

Migrant women health data analysis

This data looks at the health of and inequalities in health of pregnant migrant women, based on data routinely recorded at appointments for all pregnant women booking for maternity services in England. It includes analysis of social factors such as whether mothers felt that they had adequate support available during and after pregnancy.

Preconception health among migrant women in England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Government response to report on impact of body image on mental and physical health

The government has published a policy paper in reply to a Health and Social Care Committee on the impact of body image on mental and physical health. It says the government recognises the growing pressure on people to achieve an idealised body image, and that dissatisfaction with body image can have a significant impact on people’s mental and physical health throughout their lives.

The impact of body image on mental and physical health: government response to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee’s second report of session 2022 to 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)