Archive for the ‘Food and diet’ Category
Sunday, May 16th, 2010
PRimage believes that David Cameron has made an excellent decision in appointing the Labour MP Frank Field as the Government’s ‘poverty tsar’. Cameron is clearly putting the fight against deprivation at the heart of his agenda. As a compassionate Conservative, Judy Viitanen thinks this is exactly the right approach, and is very relieved to hear that Mr Field has been asked to lead a major review into levels of poverty across Britain. He is also expected to study how poverty should be measured in the future.
Field is a long-time champion of welfare reform, and an MP that Judy really admires!
PRimage is also pleased to see that a new ICM opinion poll published this morning shows a high level of public support for Mr Cameron’s coalition administration – and for its key policies on tax and political reform. Almost two-thirds of voters (64 per cent) thought that the Lib-Con coalition was the right way forward for Britain after the general election resulted in a hung parliament. It was backed by 87 per cent of those who voted Tory this month and 77 per cent of Lib Dem voters.
Overall, the Conservatives have gained one point since the election and are supported by 38 per cent of the public. The Lib Dems, by contrast, have slipped significantly, down three points to 21 per cent. Labour have gained three points to 33 per cent.
Let’s hope that this “trust” between the Tories and the Lib Dems and the electorate continues!
However, PRimage hopes that Cameron will keep to his Conservative pledges on defence, immigration and Europe. Watch this space.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Crime, Economy, Education, Employment, Environment, Family, Financial, Food and diet, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues | 3 Comments »
Friday, April 9th, 2010
As the General Election campaign gets underway, the three main political parties have outlined their key policies and targets for health. PRimage has reviewed these - and for Judy Viitanen and the team, our vote goes to the Conservatives. We totally agree with their view that the NHS under Labour has been totally target driven. This has to change! 
Read the summary below and let us know your views.
CONSERVATIVE HEALTH POLICY
The party says that “we can’t go on with an NHS that puts targets before patients”
Specific health policies and targets
Scrapping all politically-motivated process targets
Putting more detailed NHS performance data online
Improving cancer and stroke survival rates
Enabling patients to rate hospitals and doctors
Giving anyone the power to choose any healthcare provider that meets NHS standards
Opening up the NHS to new independent and voluntary sector providers
Linking GPs’ pay to the quality of the results they deliver
LABOUR HEALTH POLICY
Labour believes the NHS is its “greatest achievement”
Specific health targets if the party is re-elected:
Working to eliminate mixed sex accommodation in hospitals
Rolling out a national programme of vascular checks for everyone aged between 40 and 74.
To prevent at least 9,500 heart attacks and strokes every year and save 2,000 lives.
Extending the ages at which adults are screened so that an additional 500,000 women will be screened for breast cancer.
2 million men and women will be screened for bowel cancer
Training 3,600 more new psychological therapists to treat people with depression and anxiety.
Reduce the numbers on sick leave and benefits.
Giving every 11 to 14-year-old hands-on cooking lessons from 2011 to help reduce childhood obesity
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS HEALTH POLICY
Specific health policies:
Giving people control over their local health services
Introducing patient contracts
Improving access to GPs around the clock
Abolishing strategic health authorities
Universal care payments for those over 65 who require personal care
Closing medical wards and sending staff home during super bug outbreaks
Posted in Alternative therapies, Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Economy, Family, Financial, Food and diet, Healthcare, Men's Health, NHS, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
Friday, March 19th, 2010
Posted in Advertising, Alternative therapies, Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Conferences, Consumers, Crime, Economy, Education, Employment, Environment, Europe, Event Management, Family, Financial, Food and diet, Healthcare, Humour, Leisure Market, Lifestyles, Market Research, Marketing, Media, Men's Health, NHS, News Bytes, PR, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Property, Public Affairs, Publishing and Literature, Retail, Social Issues, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Twitter, USA, Uncategorized, Web Links, Women's Health | No Comments »
Monday, September 28th, 2009
This weekend Judy received an email from a friend and business colleague from ‘across the pond’ with an interesting opinion piece article attached, written by Theodore Dalrymple (aka Anthony Daniels). Entitled, ‘ The British Disease’ …… The press cutting was a critique and personal commentary of the current state of play in today’s Britain - with observations about the economy, education, our nation’s lack of attention to service, plus some scathing views on Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
PRimage found it an interesting article (in part) …… we totally agree with the comments on Brown and the state of the British economy … BUT …. we totally disagree with Mr Daniels’ views on David Cameron, whom we rate highly! Cameron and the Tories are way ahead of Brown and Labour in the opinion polls …. A ComRes poll in today’s Independent newspaper puts Labour support on 23 per cent, level-pegging with the Liberal Democrats, while the Conservatives are on 38 per cent. So, unless something goes drastically amiss in the coming months, he looks set to win the next General Election (thank God!).
Judy has read other articles penned from Mr Daniels ….. He positions himself as a ‘caring conservative’ (which is much in line with Judy’s political stance). But we are disappointed by his disparaging comments about the public relations industry in this article; and our professional integrity prompts us to take issue!
Suffice to say that as a PR practitioner of many years standing and achievement, Judy gets very weary with some of the misconceptions, ‘labels’ and myths about public relations …. which include: ‘fluffy, insubstantial hype’, ‘the work of spin doctors’, or ‘a sneaky way to hide things’. Certainly, by its very nature, PR can never be as transparent as advertising or direct marketing, and perhaps this is the essence of its perception problem.
Mr Daniels views are yet another unfair reflection of what PR does. His comment on Cameron’s pre-political career in PR and observation that public relations is ‘hardly a school for intellectual and moral probity’ is both damaging and totally unjustified!
For the benefit of ill-informed individuals (Mr Daniels, take note) …. PR is about informing, influencing, improving, and initiating, with the resulting outcome being a desired, legitimate change in behaviour. Maybe some overlapping synergy with politics?
Anyway, here’s the article in full ….. post a blog comment and let Judy and the PRimage team know what you think …..
Posted in Advertising, Blogging, Business, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Crime, Economy, Education, Employment, Europe, Financial, Food and diet, Lifestyles, Market Research, Marketing, PR, PRimage press releases, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues, Tourism, Travel, USA | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
As PRimage has often commented on this blog site, obesity is a major public health issue – and news today shows that one in six children in Britain are obese by the time they start school!
Posted in Blogging, By the way, Children's Health, Family, Food and diet, Healthcare, Lifestyles, NHS, Social Issues | No Comments »
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America! Founded July 4 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating its 233rd birthday today! Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team are thinking of all our friends, family and business colleagues in the States – we wish you all a very happy Independence Day – with smiles and cheers!
The fourth of July is a time for red white and blue! A time for family, picnics, parades and marching bands – and a great time for BBQ’s too! Enjoy! J
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Event Management, Family, Food and diet, Lifestyles, PRimage press releases, Social Issues, USA | No Comments »
Monday, June 29th, 2009
A heat wave warning has been issued for England and Wales, with record-breaking temperatures forecast in some areas, potentially rising as high as 32C (90F) in the coming days. Like many people around the country, Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team are enjoying this glorious weather – but we’re also getting concerned about how to cope with the heat!
To help us all cope and stay safe and well during this very hot weather, PRimage client, the Day Lewis Pharmacy Group – the UK’s largest independent multiple group - has issued a handy ‘hot weather survival guide’ – full of practical tips to help you cope with the heat and to keep safe and well during the heat wave.
Peter Glover, Day Lewis Managing Director and Superintendent Pharmacist, tells Judy: “Although there are certain groups of the public who are at particular risk for dehydration - the elderly, young children and babies, people with breathing or heart problems, people, who are bed-bound, and outdoor workers - everyone should take care - because during the current heat wave conditions we can all be at risk from heat-related health problems.
If exposure to high temperatures is prolonged or there is a problem keeping your core temperature cool, then you are at risk for a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke”.
Keep out of the heat
· Plan your day in a way that allows you to stay out of the heat
· Avoid going out in the hottest part of the day from 11am-3pm
· Do strenuous outdoor activity in cooler parts of the day, like early morning
· If you must go out, stay in the shade. Wear a hat, light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton. If you go out take plenty of water with you
Stay cool
· Stay inside, in the coolest rooms in your home, as much as possible
· Close the curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun
· Keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside. Open them when the temperature inside rises, and at night for ventilation.
· Take cool showers or baths, and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck
Drink regularly
· Drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty - water or fruit juices are best
· Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee - they make dehydration worse
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Family, Food and diet, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Men's Health, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Retail, Social Issues, Women's Health | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
A new research study published online in the British Medical Journal has concluded that everyone aged over 55 should be given medicines to lower their blood pressure, regardless of whether or not they have high blood pressure.
Responding to this latest research study, Phil Claxton, President of Lifeclinic International, Inc, the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of automated blood pressure monitors and health testing stations, comments:
“Many medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, can be affected by lifestyle, and the close monitoring of vital signs is crucial to identify problems and their response to changes in lifestyle. Hypertension has no outward symptoms, so getting your blood pressure reading checked regularly is the only way to know if you are at risk. While prevention is better than cure, there are also other proven ways to prevent high blood pressure - such as healthy eating and regular exercise - which have other health benefits too. It is important that the over 55’s are aware of the role of a healthy lifestyle in lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Your diet, exercise levels and weight have a real effect on your blood pressure - and Lifeclinic is concerned that there is a risk that these important lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of ‘popping a pill’.
He adds:
“Our business is about providing state-of-the-art technology and solutions that enable individuals to become proactive in managing their own health. We will be launching the Lifeclinic brand in the U.K. later this year –and we are looking forward to working with the NHS, community pharmacists, and the Blood Pressure Association to help raise public awareness of the value of having their blood pressure checked to see if they are at risk of hypertension. We regard this as a high priority for our company, because uncontrolled high blood pressure is like a hidden time bomb which can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure.”
PRimage comment:
16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure (that’s one in three) – but more than five million don’t know it because the condition has no obvious symptoms. PRimage client, Lifeclinic International, Inc, intends to play an active role in raising awareness of the condition, and by providing biometric testing health stations in community pharmacies and a diverse range of easily accessible locations around the country.
Lifeclinic is the world’s largest supplier of commercial, automated, blood pressure monitors and health stations. Their commercial automatic blood pressure monitors can be found in over 25,000 pharmacies and 5,000 worksites, medical clinics and health clubs in the U.S. - and are used more than 1,000,000 times a day. The health management systems encourage individuals to take an active role in their healthcare and provide corporate management with tools to help reduce costs while improving the health of individual employees.
Lifeclinic plans to launch its range of biometric health stations in the UK later this year. Lifeclinic health stations provide cost-effective tools to fight the hypertension and obesity epidemic.
To find out more about the Lifeclinic brand, please visit the company web site: www.lifeclinic.com – or email p.claxton@lifeclinic.com For more information about the prevention and treatment of hypertension, visit the Blood Pressure Association web site: www.bpassoc.org.uk
Posted in Advertising, Blogging, Business, By the way, Consumers, Food and diet, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Men's Health, NHS, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Retail, Social Issues, USA, Women's Health | No Comments »
Friday, May 15th, 2009
Here are the health news bytes that caught the attention of Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team in the past week. If you would like to know more, or to receive our daily PRimage News Bytes e-Bulletin Profiler, foc, please contact judy@primage.org
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Unneeded surgery may be costing the NHS millions
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Fears grow over flu pandemic stockpiles
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Care Quality Commission will ‘do a number’ on weakest NHS performers
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NHS out of pocket as contract ends for cataract treatment centre
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London’s primary care trusts gain world class commissioning back-up
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NHS spends £350m on management consultants
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Obama says health overhaul could save trillions
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NHS like ‘alphabetti spaghetti, says Cameron
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Vitamins ‘undo exercise efforts’
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Recession ‘more damaging to men’s mental health than women’s
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Genes linked to high blood pressure
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City dwellers face higher cancer risk
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Spain relaxes rules on morning after pill
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Sweden to sell state-owned pharmacies
Our favourite headline is: ‘Emotional intelligence helps women get the most out of sex’ 
Posted in Alternative therapies, Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Food and diet, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Men's Health, News Bytes, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
Here are a few of the health headlines which have caught the attention of Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team. Hope they interest you. If you would like to know more about our daily News Bytes Profile, please contact judy@primage.org.
Over-40’s health check
1.5% pay rise for dentists and doctors
Pubs must offer smaller glasses of wine
Sisters ‘make people happy’
PCTs fail to raise awareness of Diabetes
Polypill could soon be a reality
Bowel cancer levels soar among under-30’s
Shopping spress linked to ‘time of the month’
Welsh medics want free prescriptions for English
Many over-45’s ignore STI risks
Warning on prostate cancer screening
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Family, Food and diet, Healthcare, Leisure Market, Lifestyles, Market Research, Media, Men's Health, NHS, News Bytes, PR, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
