NI teens' teeth worst in Europe

Poor diet, social deprivation and a non-fluoridated water supply all contribute to bad teeth Obesity 'tsunami' warning for NIJawbones are 'shaped by diet'Child dental work rise 'worrying' Northern Ireland teenagers have some of the highest levels of tooth decay in Europe, a study funded by Queen's University has found.

Teenagers, particularly in deprived areas, were twice as likely to have permanent damage as those elsewhere.

The report said teenagers in affluent areas were having braces fitted and aesthetic treatments.

The British Dental Association said a dental health strategy, published five years ago, must be implemented.

Poor diet, social deprivation and a non-fluoridated water supply all contribute to bad teeth.

As well as highlighting the standard of oral hygiene the report also found that teenagers in poorer areas were more likely to have extractions.

Peter Crooks from the BDA said the current dental contract did not pay dentists to deliver preventive treatments.

He has accused the Department of Health of dragging its feet on the dental health strategy.

"I think it is critical that it is implemented as soon as possible," he said.

Anti-GMO Movement in Europe Offers Lessons for the U.S.

By Lisa Marshall
>If European states can ban genetically modified crops, why not America? See how global activism drove the charge against GMOs abroad-and how we can apply the same principle in the United States.

Get a group of people together to talk about the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) gobbling up American soil and, chances are, someone will bring up "what happened in Europe."

How is it that our neighbors across the pond were able to swiftly enact mandatory labeling laws and essentially ban genetically modified (GM) crops in six European states, while here in the United States we let the biotech machine plow on? What lessons can we learn from the Europeans?

Georgina Silby has some ideas.

Silby was among the legions of infuriated youth who took to European streets upon learning about the specter of genetic engineering in the mid-'90s. These young activists donned tomato costumes (or nothing at all) for their protests by day, dug up GM test crops by night and formed alliances with stakeholders around the globe. Their efforts generated what has eluded activists here so far: Media attention and mass-market consumer outrage.

UK 'lags behind Europe on health'

The UK is one of the unhealthiest nations in Europe for some health indicators, data suggests.

Figures from the Association of Public Health Observatories reveal the UK is the fattest EU member and has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancies.

The UK also performs badly on female cancer survival and infant deaths.

But life expectancy figures in the UK are slightly better than for EU counterparts and the nation also excels at treating heart disease.

And our early action on smoking has had a very positive impact on health outcomes, the report authors say.

They compared all regions across 27 countries in Europe using 37 health indicators in 2006.

Hot spot

The UK as a whole scored particularly badly on obesity, being the fattest nation of all.

And within the UK it was the West Midlands that had the highest percentage of obese adults at 29% - nearly double the EU average of 14% and much higher than the 19% rate seen in Greater London.

The UK's female death rates from cancer were also among the worst in Europe.

Deaths in south-east England were the highest at 185 per 100,000, followed by Scotland at 179 per 100,000 and north-east England at 174. This compares with the European average of 139.5 per 100,000.

All parts of the UK had more teenage mothers than in most other European countries - but the North East of England came out the worst.

The researchers acknowledge the picture may have changed slightly since the data was collected, but they say their snapshot should be a warning to public health experts.

Continue reading the main story“Start QuoteI'm appalled by the figures and feel ashamed as a GP working in the West Midlands that this area has the highest percentage of obese adults in Europe”

End QuoteProfessor Steve FieldChairman of the RCGP Dr Claire Bradford and Professor John Wilkinson, who compiled the report, said the information could help the UK improve its track record.

Dr Bradford said: "This type of data allows us to compare not just between countries but within countries and to look at what is going well and what is not.

"People that are able to influence which way we are going as a nation should look at this to decide on priorities and actions.

"Our problem with obesity might be a good place to start."

Commenting on the data, public health expert, Professor Sir Michael Marmot said the report highlighted "stark differences" in health across the EU.

"The causes of health inequalities are socially determined," he said.

"The behaviours that lead to obesity and teenage pregnancy, for example, arise from social conditions.

"This knowledge informs what we as a society can do at a local, regional, national and international level to create the conditions for greater health equity."

'Appalled'

Professor Steve Field of the Royal College of General Practitioners said: "I'm appalled by the figures and feel ashamed as a GP working in the West Midlands that this area has the highest percentage of obese adults in Europe.

"Obesity is a major problem and predictor of ill health throughout a patient's life, causing serious illnesses.

"I hope we will be able to do more in the future to get people to take responsibility for their own health and take more exercise and eat sensibly."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The government has made it clear that tackling health inequalities is a priority as part of its commitment to fairness and social justice.

"Action to tackle health inequalities is at the centre of our approach to public health.

"We will aim to use the least intrusive approach necessary to achieve the desired effect.

"We will seek to use approaches that focus on enabling and guiding people's choices wherever possible."