Public Health

Seven out of ten people in the West Midlands think fluoride should be added to water if it can reduce tooth decay, according to a recent poll conducted by MORI.

Women are significantly more likely to die of a stroke than men, yet they are also less aware (spontaneously) than men of potential risk factors, according to MORI poll results released today by The Stroke Association. The figures, released to coincide with a major discussion and vote by the National Federation of Women's Institutes on the issue of stroke care, show that women are considerably less likely than men to recognise that eating healthily, and lowering their alcohol consumption, can help to reduce the risk of stroke. 10,000 women will be lending their voice to the issue of stroke care at the National Federation of Women's Institutes Triennial General Meeting at Wembley on the 7th June.

People are putting their health on the line through ignorance of diabetes according to a hard-hitting report into the reality and misconceptions of the condition in the UK today.

Despite the number of arthritis sufferers in Britain and the severity of their symptoms, a recent MORI survey found that fairly low proportions of the public are aware of this group of common conditions. Fewer than half (48%) of adults asked about the different types of arthritis mentioned RA, and only a third (33%) mentioned OA (5). When asked more closely about RA, only 5% of adults specifically mentioned inflammation, and only 11% mentioned aching joints in relation to osteoarthritis.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing in men. Trends indicate a dramatic rise in the diagnosis of Genital Herpes and Chlamydia. The Doctor Patient Partnership (DPP) has joined forces with the Men's Health Forum to encourage men to seek help, and to dismiss the myths that surround STIs.