Snow sports head injuries
Serious head injuries among alpine skiers and snowboarders have risen over the past 15 years, according to research in the journal Injury Prevention. The study by doctors at Toronto Western Hospital concluded the rise has coincided with faster speeds and the inclusion of more jumping and acrobatics in these sports.
Leeds back pain trial
People in Leeds with a severe form of back pain are to take part in a clinical trial to find out whether six weeks of physiotherapy and exercise can relieve their agony. More than 70 people over the age of 50 with neurogenic claudication are to take part in the trial with a team based at Leeds Primary Care Musculoskeletal Service, funded by an £87,000 two-year grant from the Arthritis Research Campaign.
Services to quit smoking used more in poorer areas
NHS smoking cessation services are benefiting people more from poorer areas, a study published in the journal Tobacco Control has suggested. Researchers from the University of Bath’s Tobacco Control Research Group and the University of Edinburgh found that services in disadvantaged areas treated 16.7% of local smokers, compared with 13.4% in more affluent areas.
Hangovers are number one reason for ‘sickies’
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Hangovers are the most popular excuse for people calling in sick when they are not really ill, according to disability insurer Unum’s latest sickness absence survey. More than one-third of 16 to 24-year-olds admitted to doing this, compared with just 6% of 55 to 64-year-olds.
