Statistics show that men are half as likely as women to be diagnosed with depression but three times more likely to end their own lives.
The failure to understand male depression is due to a continuing silence about the emotional world of men, according to a study to be showcased during the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Festival of Social Science.
The research, which is carried out by Dr Ali Haggett of the University of Exeter, suggests that, although men are three times as likely to become alcohol dependent and more than twice as likely to use Class A drugs...
FORCE is relaunching its support group for younger women with breast cancer.
From November 11, drop-in sessions will be held at the charity’s Support and Information Centre in Exeter on the second Wednesday of each month from 1.30pm-3pm.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women but it is less common in the under 50s for whom it presents specific issues.
The Younger Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group (under 50s) offers an opportunity to talk in a supportive and informal environment.
For more information, contact FORCE Oncology Support...
FIVE successful projects launched by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust were showcased at one of the industry’s biggest awards events.
The Trust was a multiple finalist in the HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards, which recognise and reward outstanding efficiency and improvement by the NHS.
The Exeter Community Nursing Centre, Exeter cluster pharmacy team and orthopaedic department at North Devon District Hospital were shortlisted for the event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Also in the spotlight were ComPAS, the Trust’s community patient administration...
South West patients with long-term health conditions are getting to see health experts when they need to, in an exciting project driven by research.
Under the existing model of care, patients with conditions such as arthritis are given routine appointments that often take place when their symptoms are mild. Yet when their condition deteriorates it can be difficult to secure an urgent appointment.
Now, a new approach known as Patient Initiated Clinics is hoping to transform the delivery of care across the South West by putting patients in control. Instead of appointments...
As new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales has increased for the second year in a row, drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction has called for the government to rethink proposed cuts to local authority health spending.
“These tragic figures paint a stark picture of the shifting landscape of drug misuse in England and Wales,” said Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of Addaction, which works in partnership with EDP to delivery drug and alcohol services across Devon as RISE Recovery.
More than seven in ten people from the South West (77 per cent) are not doing the amount of average weekly exercise recommended by NHS guidelines, despite evidence that taking part in regular exercise can reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia, according to a survey carried out by Alzheimer’s Society to mark the start of Memory Walks on Saturday.
Taking regular physical exercise is proven to be one of the best things that can be done to reduce the risk of getting dementia, yet over half of those surveyed from the South West (56%) didn’t know that regular exercise and...
The Thrive Summer Series is heading to Princesshay this September offering shoppers a chance to have fun getting fit. The free one-day event is taking place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 5 September as part of the nationwide tour. The Thrive team will be running activities to get shoppers moving.
The Thrive event aims to emphasise the fun side of getting fit and being active this summer. It is free for shoppers and visitors alike and a great chance to focus on healthy living, being more active, and connecting with the local community.
A new study reveals that thousands of people could be putting their oral health at risk by not brushing their teeth in the evening because they are too tired.
The survey of 10,000 UK adults, commissioned by GSK, as part of its Love Your Mouth campaign ( www.loveyourmouth.co.uk ) found that 45% of people questioned say they have gone to bed without brushing their teeth, which could increase their chances of cavities, gum disease and even tooth loss.
When asked why they don’t stick to a daily oral healthcare regime, 40% of respondents blamed being too tired, 30% said it’s...
Playing Tetris for as little as three minutes at a time can weaken cravings for drugs, food and activities such as sex and sleeping by approximately one fifth, according to new research.
In the first test of its kind to study people in natural settings outside of a laboratory, participants were monitored for levels of craving and prompted to play the block-shifting puzzle game at random intervals during the day.
Psychologists from Plymouth University and Queensland University of Technology, Australia, found that playing Tetris interfered with desires not only for food, but...
The team behind a new health & wellbeing hub aimed at some of Exeter’s most disadvantaged communities has this week been selected by the prestigious King’s Fund to address a national conference on Public Health and Housing.
Exeter Council for Voluntary Service is developing former Exeter City Council offices at Wat Tyler House in King William Street into a multi-agency wellbeing hub aimed at supporting people with multiple and complex needs in their recovery, and to play a fuller part in their communities. The hub will feature a specialist GP practice, a mental health outreach...
