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Researchers at Duke University, after analysing millions of patient visits to primary care physicians, found that mental health concerns are second only to musculoskeletal complaints, such as aches and pains, in everyday care. According to the study, one in nine patients sought care primarily for a mental health concern, a figure that increases to one in five for those in mid-life Published recently in Nature Mental Health, the study indicated that the prevalence of mental health concerns is nearly equal to that of respiratory and cardiovascular complaints, surpassing infections, injuries, digestive health, skin conditions, urological problems, and sensory issues. Led by Avshalom Caspi, the Edward M. Arnett Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, the researchers examined over 350 million primary care visits involving 4.8 million people from January 2006 to December 2019, as recorded by the Norwegian government. Caspi noted that 12 per cent of all encounters with primary care physicians were for mental health problems, i.e. more than 40 million mental health visits out of the total.

Poverty not only takes a significant toll on people's health but also leads to additional costs for the National Health Service (NHS). Rise in deep poverty, cost-of-living crisis, and high pressure on NHS services have worsened the situation, according to a study published by The King's Fund this week. The report underscored that poverty and deprivation contribute to a greater prevalence of diseases, difficulties in accessing health care, late or delayed treatment, and worse health outcomes. These challenges could be seen across various NHS services, spanning from emergency care to dental services Additionally, it revealed that 30 per cent of people living in the most deprived areas have turned to 999, 111, A&E or a walk-in centre because they could not access a GP appointment. In 2016, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) estimated the cost of poverty on health care at £29 billion (£34 billion in current prices). As the proportion of people living in deep poverty has risen, the situation has worsened. In 2021/22, six million people were living in very deep poverty, up from 4.5 million two decades ago. Currently, more than one in five people in the UK are estimated to be living in poverty, the report noted. Deprivation is linked to a range of diet-related health problems, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as mental illness. According to the report, the depression rate is two times higher among people living in the most deprived areas, compared to the least deprived areas.

Getting a good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental health, alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease. So, if you're sleep deprived during weekdays, try to make up for it by getting extra sleep on weekends. A new study has revealed catching up with compensatory sleep on weekends can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The study conducted by the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease in Beijing, China, found that individuals who catch up on sleep over the weekend may lower their risk of heart disease by one-fifth. Study co-author Yanjun Song from the State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease at Fuwai Hospital emphasised that the benefit of compensatory sleep was even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays. The researchers used data from 90,903 subjects involved in the UK Biobank project to evaluate the relationship between compensated weekend sleep and heart disease. More than 21 per cent of the participants were identified as sleep-deprived - defined as getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.

Campaigners have submitted an open letter to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), urging the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health to freeze prescription charges to keep people with long-term conditions alive and well. The campaign is led by the Prescription Charges Coalition, which represents over 50 organisations, including Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA). Currently, the prescription charge is £9.65 per item, and campaigners have asked the government to freeze it for 2024 and 2025 as people living with long-term health conditions in England are "being forced to choose between heating, eating, and taking their vital medication on a daily basis." In 2023, a study conducted by the Prescription Charges Coalition revealed that almost 10 per cent of survey participants had skipped medication in the previous year due to the cost of prescriptions. This led to increased physical and mental health problems, as well as impacted the time they took off work. Laura Cockram, Chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition and Head of Campaigns at Parkinson's UK, expressed deep concern that a further rise in the charge this year will lead to people skipping or not taking the full dose of their medication, which will affect their health and put more pressure on the already under pressure NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)'s independent committee has called for more research to ensure liposuction for treatment of chronic lipoedema is safe and effective enough for use on the NHS. Lipoedema is more prevalent in women and very rarely affects men. It is characterised by an abnormal, usually symmetrical, accumulation of fat in the legs, hips, buttocks, and occasionally arms. It is a separate condition to obesity and lymphoedema. The cause of lipoedema is unknown, but hormonal changes, weight gain and genetics are thought to be involved. The size and shape of legs, and the resultant mobility issues and pain, can have a profoundly negative effect on quality of life, and physical and mental health. The interventional procedures advisory committee reviewed evidence from several sources, including eight before-and-after studies. The committee was informed that several different liposuction techniques are used and that they may have different safety and efficacy profiles.