Life expectancy is at the highest level ever, deaths from cancer,
heart disease and stroke are falling, and infant mortality is at its
lowest level ever according to the Health Profile of England 2007,
published by the Department of Health.

This year's Health Profile shows ongoing improvements such as:

* Increasing life expectancy, now at its highest ever level

* Mortality rates from cancers and circulatory diseases are declining

* Infant mortality has reduced and is now at its lowest ever level

Stronger powers to help tackle Healthcare Associated Infections

A tough new regulator for health and adult social care services will
ensure good quality and safe care for the public, Secretary of State
for Health Alan Johnson said today.

The Care Quality Commission will have a key role in tackling and
preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs), strengthening
the current system of regulation. They will have the power to carry
out annual infection control inspections, increase the frequency of

Women drivers are more likely to take advice from the Highways Agency
and the Met Office and less likely to get caught out by the weather,
according to newly published research.

A survey of nearly 1,300 road users by the Highways Agency showed
that women were less likely than men to make a journey by car after
hearing a severe weather warning.  Only 44% of women said they would
continue, compared with 62% of men. The survey also highlighted age
differentials - only 40% of respondents over 65 would continue their

The Department of Health today introduces the new Contract Research
Organisation model Clinical Trial Agreement (CRO mCTA). This replaces
the many different contracts companies had to negotiate with
individual hospital trusts.

This new type of agreement marks another positive step to develop the
NHS as a world-class environment for health research in the public
interest.

Having seen the success of the model Clinical Trial Agreement in
speeding up the initiation of clinical trials, notably demonstrated

A diet high in calcium-rich-foods may help to prevent the spread of breast cancer to the bone, according to the results of an Australian study recently published in Cancer Research.
 
One of the most common malignancies in women, breast cancer affects approximately one million women per year worldwide. Approximately 70% of patients who develop advanced breast cancer will go on to develop secondary tumours in the bone.
 

Children in the UK with speech and language difficulties are prone to loneliness, feelings of frustration and poor self-esteem, a new Department of Health study has revealed.
 
The study is the first scientific examination of quality of life for children with speech and language difficulties (SaLD).  It was carried out by the University of Portsmouth as part of a £200 K Researcher Development Fellowship Award from the Department of Health.
 

"Flu could seriously affect the health of over two million younger people in ‘at risk’ groups such as those with asthma or diabetes", the Chief Medical Officer said today as he urged them to get their flu jab this winter. A new campaign starting on Monday marks the start of flu season and encourages those in 'at risk' groups or over 65 years of age to get the jab.  

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has today asked the organ donation
taskforce to explore whether all adults should be automatically
included on the organ donor register.

The proposal, known as presumed consent, would view everybody as a
potential donor unless they had registered an objection or 'opted
out' before death. The taskforce will examine the complex moral and
medical issues around presumed consent, including giving the family
of the deceased a final say on the donation of any organs.

From today, two million babies in England will have had their hearing screened thanks to the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. The programme , which has been rolling out across England since 2001, screens 1700 babies each day, and marks one of the biggest achievements in children’s audiology and services for deaf children and their families, in the last forty years.

Seriesse International, the new direct selling company co-founded by Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin-Stallone, recently announced a new Seriesse cosmetic line launching in Septmeber. Seriesse products are sold exclusively through independent distributors with the growing product portfolio including skin care and suppliments.