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Touch therapies could reduce sick days by 1.76 million says new report

A new report commissioned by the British Beauty Council, of which the FHT is an Affiliate member, has found that the introduction of touch therapies within the NHS could reduce mental health problems by 10%, potentially reducing sick days by 1.76 million.

The report was given to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to highlight the countless benefits of complementary therapies. It also includes information to show that touch therapies can help people to manage back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis, cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS and premature infant care.

The hope is that this report will encourage the government to recognise the importance of complementary therapies moving forwards.

Editor’s comment: In addition to this excellent report by the British Beauty Council, in recent months we have also been providing case studies and statistics from our FHT Member Surveys to government contacts at all four UK nations, highlighting the health and wellbeing benefits of the various therapies our members provide. n Read more at fht.org.uk/IT-137-massage-therapy

First Women’s Health Strategy being developed in England

The government is working on a Women’s Health Strategy for England, to ensure women’s voices are heard and to put them at the centre of their own care.

Matt Hancock said, ‘For generations, women have lived with a health and care system that is mostly designed by men, for men.

‘This has meant that not enough is known about conditions that only affect women, or about how conditions that affect both men and women impact women in different ways... I’d urge you to come forward and have your say, so we can make sure our nation’s health system truly works for the whole nation.’

A call for evidence is taking place for a period of 14 weeks to collect views on women’s health. n Have your say by visiting fht.org.uk/IT-137womens-health

Researchers say blood pressure lowering drugs could benefit more people

People with high cardiovascular risk could benefit from blood pressure lowering drugs a study analysis has concluded.

The analysis looked at 48 randomised control trials and found that a 5mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure lowered the relative risk of cardiovascular events by around 10%.

Researchers are calling for a global review of blood pressure medication guidelines so that anyone with increased risk of cardiovascular disease is considered for blood pressure lowering medication. n Read more at fht.org.uk/IT-137blood-pressure

Cancer patients to be prescribed exercise as part of new approach

Sheffield Hallam University has launched a tailored exercise programme to support people living with cancer.

Offering a combination of exercise, nutrition and psychological support, the programme aims to help people with cancer prepare for and respond to treatment.

It will be rolled out in Autumn 2021 to patients with lung, colon, oesophagus, stomach and small intestine cancers. Researchers hope the programme will improve recovery rates and save lives by reducing the likelihood of cancer returning following treatment. n Access the report at fht.org.uk/IT-137-cancer-patients

Complaints against health and beauty adverts have increased by 40% say the Advertising Standards Association (ASA)

Health and beauty ads have been withdrawn more than any other sector in 2020, according to a report by the ASA.

Data showed 5,285 complaints were registered in 2020 compared with 3,779 in 2019. Some of the key issues were around body image and injectable cosmetic procedures.

The ASA also highlighted that they were ‘cracking down’ on social media advertising. While monitoring 24,208 Instagram stories last year, the ASA found that only 35% were correctly labelled as adverts. n Read more at fht.org.uk/IT-137-beauty

Middle-aged people who sleep six hours or less at greater risk of dementia, study finds

A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people in their 50s, 60s and 70s are 30% more likely to develop dementia if they sleep for six hours or less, compared to if they achieved seven hours sleep or more.

Researchers looked at data which followed 10,000 volunteers from the UK and 8,000 from France over 25 years. During that time, 521 participants developed dementia and findings showed a correlation with sleep patterns.

Dr Liz Coulthard, a consultant senior lecturer at Bristol University said, ‘It strengthens the evidence that poor sleep in middle age could cause or worsen dementia in later life.

‘It makes sense to take measures to improve sleep such as going outside during daylight hours to help maintain the natural rhythms that promote good sleep, avoiding excess alcohol or caffeine, particularly before bed, and finding a bedtime routine that works for you.’ n Have your say by visiting fht.org.uk/IT-137-dementia

in brief

Diverse beauty advertising inspires 63% more Americans

New research by Mintel shows that 63% of Americans feel inspired by beauty brands that show diversity in their advertising.

Respondents said they encourage diversity because it ‘reflects real life’ and 73% said they feel beauty industry advertising ‘plays on women’s insecurities’.

Mintel analyst Clare Hennigan said, ‘Beauty marketing is increasingly shifting from ‘aspirational’ to ‘inspirational’. Successful brands recognise that demonstrating a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion – whether through employment, advertising and/or product development – helps drive inspiration and empowerment.’ n Find out more at fht.org.uk/IT-137-inclusion

Malaria vaccine first to achieve 75% efficacy goal in trial of children

A malaria vaccine trial with 450 African children has been the first to meet the World Health Organisation’s 75% efficacy target.

Results showed that children given a higher dosage of the vaccine had a 77% efficacy rating while those with the lower dosage had a 71% rating.

A third phase of the trial is planned to take place involving 4,800 children from four different countries. n Find out more at fht.org.uk/IT-137-malaria-vaccine

Active adults maintained their habits during lockdown but 710,000 people became more inactive

A report by Sport England has found that most adults who classed themselves as ‘physically active’ maintained a good level of exercise during the pandemic.

However, a quarter of the adult population in England is now classed as physically inactive, struggling to meet the recommended daily exercise amount of 30 minutes per week.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said, ‘We know the pandemic has had a huge impact on people’s ability to engage in sport and physical activity, but the reality is it could have been worse.

‘It's encouraging to see in the survey that so many still found ways to be active despite the majority of opportunities being unavailable or severely restricted.’ n Read more at fht.org.uk/IT-137-lockdown-activity