Financial stress, staying young and the postcode lottery

Financial stress linked to worse biological health

People who experience stressful life events or circumstances are more likely to have worse biological health, as indicated by biomarkers involved in the interaction between our immune, nervous and endocrine systems, according to a new study by UCL researchers: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jan/financial-stress-linked-worse-biological-health

Ban on disposable vapes would affect one in seven young adults

A ban on disposable vapes, currently being considered by the UK Government, would affect one in seven young adults (aged 18-24) in Great Britain, and one in 20 adults overall, according to a new study led by UCL researchers: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jan/ban-disposable-vapes-would-affect-one-seven-young-adults

New anti-smoking pill set for NHS postcode lottery

“Cytisine looks potentially to be as effective as e-cigarettes in helping people stop smoking and has the benefit of addressing the smoker’s dependence on nicotine," says Professor Robert West (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care): https://inews.co.uk/news/health/new-anti-smoking-pill-set-for-nhs-postcode-lottery-2840504

Smokers twice as likely to quit by using cytisine, study finds

Professor Robert West (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) comments on new research that suggests a pill that dampens nicotine cravings could play a major role in helping people kick smoking, calling it “excellent news for smokers”: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/01/smokers-twice-as-likely-to-quit-using-cytisine-study-finds

Experts warn demonising vaping could prompt young people to switch to tobacco?

Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) says "inaccurate" media headlines about the risks of vaping were a possible reason why more young people were taking up smoking: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12871883/Vape-scare-stories-lead-rise-smoking.html

How to stay young

Professor Andrew Steptoe (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) explains to Michael Mosley how to stay youthful, from your genetics to your social life: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001tscr

'If more people are identifying as transgender, then care must catch up'

Dr Doug McKechnie (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) said: “We do not know why more individuals from deprived areas had a transgender code in their records, and if this really means that there are more transgender people in those areas, or if they are simply more likely to be recorded as such in the NHS GP records.”: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/if-more-people-identifying-transgender-31807004

Surge in number of people in hospital with nutrient deficiencies, NHS figures show?

“The sceptic in me always asks: is this real, or increased recognition of the problem?” Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) said. “But that massive increase – wow. It seems likely that there’s got to be a real component.”: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/21/surge-in-number-of-people-in-hospital-with-nutrient-deficiencies-nhs-figures-show

Comment: Professor Sir Michael Marmot urges politicians to act on health inequalities

Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Institute of Health Equity) highlights the need to tackle the ‘dismal state of our health and health inequalities’ and sets out a plan for the next UK Government to ensure health is at the heart of all policies: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jan/comment-professor-sir-michael-marmot-urges-politicians-act-health-inequalities

Comment: Britain’s hunger and malnutrition crisis could be easily solved

Professor Michael Marmot (UCL Institute of Health Equity, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health) explores the UK’s levels of food insecurity and the consequences for the nation’s physical and mental health in The Guardian: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/dec/comment-britains-hunger-and-malnutrition-crisis-could-be-easily-solved

HIV drugs might help prevent multiple sclerosis, large new study suggests

Dr Elaine Kingwell (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) discusses her study, with Dr Kyla Mckay (Karolinska Institutet), that shows antiretroviral therapy for HIV can influence the risk of developing MS: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/dec/comment-hiv-drugs-might-help-prevent-multiple-sclerosis-large-new-study-suggests

Baby formula oligopoly draws the attention of regulators?

Dr Rana Conway (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) says that unless promotional activity by brands was controlled and enforced, competition would still be lacking and parents would not get the information they need to make an informed choice about infant formula: https://www.ft.com/content/9ac543d0-2fd9-4eca-8dad-1a4ef5e42ed1

UCL in 2023: a year in review

The year 2023 has been one of innovation, growth and achievement across UCL, with the launch of the new UCL East campus, a visit from the Queen, and the accolade of being named University of the Year by the Times and Sunday Times: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/dec/ucl-2023-year-review