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Welcome to this week’s myHSN Week in Health – a round-up of the biggest health news this week, and what it means for you
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Calcium for adults increases bone strength
Junior doctors announce strike vote
Vaping ‘probably’ more harmful than we think
UK winning the fight against Monkeypox
Alzheimer’s drug is ‘historic’ breakthrough
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What?
COVID infections are on the rise in the UK. Infection numbers have risen by 14% in the previous week and have now topped more than one million.
Why?
The trend is thought to match an autumn uptick in other viral infections. This may be caused by increased social mixing relating to schools and universities being back in class, and an increased likelihood of remaining inside in unventilated spaces due to colder weather.
How (does it affect you)?
A recent rise in cases has prompted fears of an autumn wave. This is likely inevitable, but the risk could be dampened by sustained vaccine use and continued vigilance amongst the population. New vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer combine protection against the original variant and Omicron variant, giving heightened protection which may flatten the curve.
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What?
Calcium for adults increases bone strength find researchers, in an article published in eLife. This contributes to a reduced risk of osteoporosis (a health condition that decreases bone strength, making them brittle and more likely to break).
Why?
Older people have historically been primary targets for calcium supplementation due to being at a higher risk of osteoporosis. This research suggests that, contrary to current practice, earlier supplementation can lead to beneficial effects even in those who may not be classically at risk of reduced bone health.
How (does it affect you)?
However old you are, this research highlights the need for adequate calcium intake at all stages of life. More studies are required to determine the long term effects and/or benefits of calcium supplements at a young age, but high quality evidence seems to suggest a benefit to younger adults.
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What?
Junior doctors announce strike vote to take place in January 2023 in response to over a decade of wage stagnation and below-inflation pay rises.
Why?
Junior doctor (post-medical school to senior registrar) salary increases have not kept up with inflation, meaning that they are paid over 26% less than their colleagues over a decade ago. This strike is spurred by chronic staff shortages, NHS underfunding and growing waiting lists for care. The industrial action seeks a pay increase as a singular issue, to avoid weakening the position of striking junior doctors.
How (does it affect you)?
This is a vote, and the strike is not confirmed. However, the strike is widely expected to go ahead given longstanding dissatisfaction and unrest amongst junior doctors. In terms of patient-level effects, given a need to cover clinical services with only the consultant body, it is likely that operations and appointments may be cancelled or reduced for the duration of the strike.
While disappointing for patients, this industrial action seeks to redress longstanding issues of pay for doctors, hopefully leading to greater retention of staff and an ultimate improvement of the NHS by highlighting a funding gap that has existed for over a decade. The fair pay of healthcare workers in general is necessary to create a sustainable and productive NHS that works for everyone, regardless of one’s political persuasion.
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What?
Vaping ‘probably’ more harmful than we think,according to researchers at King’s College London. It remains safer than smoking, and existing smokers will benefit from making the switch to vaping. However, a key message is that non-vapers should not take up the habit.
Why?
The simple message put forward by researchers states that:
“If you’re taking something down into your lungs over a regular and sustained period of time for 20 or 30 years, there are likely to be risks associated with that.”
While vape smoke possesses fewer harmful chemicals than tobacco smoke, the sustained exposure to vape smoke has not been adequately studied, and may represent a population of new vapers sleepwalking into a chronic lung disease epidemic. A worrying uptick in children using vape devices has prompted many to call for urgent control of this growing phenomenon.
How (does it affect you)?
Vapers who have switched from smoking should feel reassured that their decision was a positive one. But for vapers who have never smoked, the simple advice is to quit the habit. The consequences of vaping are not clear, and it may present a public health issue in years to come.
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What?
The UK is winning the fight against Monkeypox, according to recent figures and an analysis by leading epidemiologist, Professor Neil Ferguson.
Why?
Monkeypox cases have continued to fall due to a combination of increased vigilance and vaccinations. High risk groups such as gay and bisexual men have seen a decrease in monkeypox incidence owing to safer sexual practices, reducing numbers of sexual partners and a greater visibility and awareness of the disease in the community.
How (does it affect you)?
Higher risk groups should continue to engage in safer practices and receive the monkeypox vaccine – this should be sought from sexual health clinics.
There were fears that monkeypox could become rooted in the UK. However, this recent news suggests this is unlikely, and it’s now even less likely to pose a serious threat to the wider population.
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What?
Alzheimer’s drug is ‘historic’ breakthrough say Eisai and Biogen, the manufacturers of new drug lecanemab. The drug is designed to break down the build-up of harmful amyloid plaques in the brain that are thought to link to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. This drug is not effective in other types of dementia.
Why?
The rate of cognitive decline was slashed by 27% over the course of 18 months when compared to placebo (no treatment). This was accompanied by the reduction in the number of toxic plaques found in affected brains.
How (does it affect you)?
This is a trial drug and will need to be approved in the UK prior to wider adoption, which should happen in the coming years. Despite relatively common side effects of brain swelling and headaches, uptake of the drug is likely to be significant. In a clinical landscape where vast numbers of drugs have failed to make a difference to patients, lecanemab appears to represent a rare historic breakthrough.
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Have we missed anything from the news this week? Let us know in the comments below!
As always, best wishes from myHSN!
