Food

No UK politician is calling for a meat tax – but maybe they should

— Misinformation is a challenge, but the success of the UK’s sugar tax suggests the feasibility of a tax on food. If implemented effectively, a meat tax could tackle health and environmental issues.

COVID-19

COVID-19: Free home tests return in the US

— The US Government is set to reintroduce a free COVID-19 home testing programme next week. This initiative acknowledges the ongoing threat of COVID-19 variants. After a period where free testing became scarce, the move aims to provide accessible testing options once again.

COVID-19

Why are those lost to COVID not formally memorialised? How politics shapes what we remember

— Hundreds of thousands of red hearts adorn a wall directly opposite parliament, yet successive prime ministers have nothing to say about officially marking the lives lost in the pandemic.

Public Health

Why taxing ‘junk food’ to tackle obesity isn’t as simple as it seems

— Tony Blair has called on ministers to tighten food regulation, including adding levies to foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.

COVID-19

COVID-19: Should we start wearing masks again?

— Some experts are calling for a return to masking as new variants emerge.

COVID-19

COVID boosters to be sold on the high street

— With COVID boosters expected to cost £100 when they go on sale in UK pharmacies, there are concerns about whether this will put people off getting the jab.

Public Health

Vaccine hesitancy is one of the greatest threats to global health – and the pandemic has made it worse

— The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in childhood vaccinations worldwide, contributing to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Tackling misinformation will be a big part of addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Public Health

Air pollution linked with global rise in antibiotic resistance

— A recent study suggests that air pollution could be facilitating the spread of antibiotic resistance. This global study analysed data from 116 countries, further emphasising the need for improved air quality.

COVID-19

What you need to know about EG.5.1, the new COVID variant in the UK

— A new COVID variant called EG.5.1 is spreading fast in the UK. It is related to the Omicron variant and may cause more infections and hospitalisations. Experts say we should keep following the safety measures and get vaccinated or boosted.

UK Politics

Britain’s next election could be a climate change culture war

— An argument over London’s ultra-low emissions zone threatens to engulf UK politics and the next general election.

COVID-19

COVID cases rising, UK in the dark about virus future

— The UK is facing a growing problem with COVID-19, as cases continue to rise and many surveillance studies tracking infection levels have ended. This is leaving the country in the dark about how COVID may play out in the months ahead, as experts say a new wave of the virus is under way.

Housing Crisis

Homelessness in England has reached record levels

— Without state investment, strategic consideration and political support, the lessons learned since the start of the pandemic on the importance to society of a place to call home will be lost.

UK Economy

How UBI could save the NHS billions

— New research shows that universal basic income (UBI) could save the NHS billions by preventing mental and physical health problems. UBI could also boost the economy and reduce inequality.

Public Health

How austerity made the UK more vulnerable to COVID

— Evidence shows austerity has wide-ranging consequences for health.

Long COVID

Long COVID’s brain fog: Impact of COVID-19 on memory

— How “brain fog” from Long COVID can be akin to ageing 10 years. A King’s College London study reveals cognitive impairments that can last up to 2 years post-infection.

Long COVID

What we know about how Long COVID condition affects mental health

— Research shows that people with long COVID have worse mental health than those without it. They may face disbelief, stigma and difficulties accessing healthcare.