Survey reveals people in Wales think primary care services should support with non-medical issues
According to the Time to Talk Public Health survey by Public Health Wales (PHW), 74 per cent of people think healthcare professionals have a large responsibility to ask patients about non-medical needs which may be affecting their health, while 80 per cent think primary care services have a responsibility in referring people to services that can offer non-medical support when required.
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Rhyl Journal
7 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Stark inequalities in cancer rates across Wales revealed
The report by Public Health Wales' Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) found that people's housing, job, and ethnicity impact cancer incidence rates. To conduct the study, researchers linked all-Wales cancer registry data to Census data, using anonymising techniques to maintain confidentiality. The researchers then analysed the data to determine how cancer rates differed across the Welsh population based on ethnicity, housing type, and job. They found that people living in overcrowded housing had a cancer rate seven times higher than those with two or more spare rooms. Similarly, residents living in social housing had cancer rates nearly three times higher than those owning their homes outright. The study also revealed variances in cancer rates among different ethnic groups. The White population showed the highest overall cancer rates, partly due to the older age of this group. However, people from Mixed ethnic backgrounds were generally diagnosed at a later stage, which could potentially hinder cancer survival. The study also showed that Black men and Asian women were more likely to be diagnosed with prostate and breast cancer, respectively. The study shed light on the type of jobs and their connection with cancer incidence. People in lower-paid and manual jobs, such as process, plant, and machine operatives, had the highest cancer rates. They were also more likely to receive a late-stage cancer diagnosis compared to those in professional roles. Professor Dyfed Wyn Huws, director of the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, said: "This is the first time we've been able to look at unfair inequalities in cancer rates through this level of detail using individual data across the whole of the Welsh population. "It's a major step forward in understanding and reducing cancer inequalities in our society. "It has enabled us to get a much greater level of detail of the socio-demographic factors at play, by looking at individual or household measures of inequality, rather than area-level analysis. "It's a strong baseline for future work and a clear call to action to focus on where cancer and other health inequalities start." Professor Huws added that in many parts of Wales, elements crucial to health and well-being, such as healthy homes, good jobs, sufficient income, community connections, education and skills, and safe, clean environments, are either lacking or inadequate. He said: "Up to four in 10 cases of cancer are potentially preventable amongst the population of Wales as a whole. "Preventing cancer and achieving earlier diagnosis is a priority for everyone in the system." The study used linked data from the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit's national cancer registry and the 2011 Census, via Swansea University's SAIL Databank.
North Wales Chronicle
8 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Wales farm visit health warning ahead of Open Farm Sunday
They have issued a warning about the potential health risks associated with farm visits ahead of the national day on Sunday, June 8. Animals, even healthy ones, can harbour diseases capable of causing illness in humans, including diarrhoeal diseases such as Cryptosporidium and E. coli. These infections can trigger symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps, with some strains of E. coli potentially leading to serious complications, such as kidney damage. Certain groups of people – pregnant women, children, elderly people, and those with health conditions affecting their immune system – are at a higher risk of becoming unwell or facing complications from these infections. A recent Cryptosporidium outbreak linked to farm visits resulted in more than 80 confirmed cases. Although most victims made a full recovery within two weeks, some required hospital treatment. Christopher Williams, consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: "Infection can be caught from direct contact with animals or touching things that have animal faeces (poo) on them. "The risk of infection can be reduced by strictly following safety advice." He urged visitors to wash their hands with hot water and soap immediately after contact with animals and before leaving the farm. He also advised avoiding close contact with animals, such as cuddling or holding them, and refraining from eating or drinking near animals or while walking through the farm. Mr Williams added: "The bugs can survive on clothes, shoes, and pram wheels after leaving the farm. "So, continue hand hygiene after touching items which could be contaminated until the item has been cleaned. "Any soiled clothes, shoes or other items should be cleaned promptly. "Prepare for visits by wearing sensible footwear, avoiding open toe shoes. "If you get ill after visiting a farm, contact your GP or 111. "Ensure good hygiene to avoid passing infection to others." To further lessen the risk of infection, visitors are encouraged to supervise children closely, ensure they wash their hands correctly, and refrain from eating or drinking near animals or while walking around the farm. Pregnant women should be particularly vigilant and avoid contact with lambing sheep, other animals giving birth, and newborn or baby animals. Individuals who become unwell with a diarrhoeal illness following a farm visit should not return to work, school, or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
North Wales Chronicle
8 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Stark inequalities in cancer rates across Wales revealed
The report by Public Health Wales' Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) found that people's housing, job, and ethnicity impact cancer incidence rates. To conduct the study, researchers linked all-Wales cancer registry data to Census data, using anonymising techniques to maintain confidentiality. The researchers then analysed the data to determine how cancer rates differed across the Welsh population based on ethnicity, housing type, and job. They found that people living in overcrowded housing had a cancer rate seven times higher than those with two or more spare rooms. Similarly, residents living in social housing had cancer rates nearly three times higher than those owning their homes outright. The study also revealed variances in cancer rates among different ethnic groups. The White population showed the highest overall cancer rates, partly due to the older age of this group. However, people from Mixed ethnic backgrounds were generally diagnosed at a later stage, which could potentially hinder cancer survival. The study also showed that Black men and Asian women were more likely to be diagnosed with prostate and breast cancer, respectively. The study shed light on the type of jobs and their connection with cancer incidence. People in lower-paid and manual jobs, such as process, plant, and machine operatives, had the highest cancer rates. They were also more likely to receive a late-stage cancer diagnosis compared to those in professional roles. Professor Dyfed Wyn Huws, director of the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, said: "This is the first time we've been able to look at unfair inequalities in cancer rates through this level of detail using individual data across the whole of the Welsh population. "It's a major step forward in understanding and reducing cancer inequalities in our society. "It has enabled us to get a much greater level of detail of the socio-demographic factors at play, by looking at individual or household measures of inequality, rather than area-level analysis. "It's a strong baseline for future work and a clear call to action to focus on where cancer and other health inequalities start." Professor Huws added that in many parts of Wales, elements crucial to health and well-being, such as healthy homes, good jobs, sufficient income, community connections, education and skills, and safe, clean environments, are either lacking or inadequate. He said: "Up to four in 10 cases of cancer are potentially preventable amongst the population of Wales as a whole. "Preventing cancer and achieving earlier diagnosis is a priority for everyone in the system." The study used linked data from the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit's national cancer registry and the 2011 Census, via Swansea University's SAIL Databank.
