Latest news with #PaulMcNamee
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Covid pandemic had bigger impact on women's health than men's
The research team, led by Professor Paul McNamee from the University of Aberdeen and collaborators from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and the University of Turin, analysed Understanding Society national data from January 2015 to March 2023 to compare results pre- and post-pandemic. Researchers examined a range of health behaviours including fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol use and physical activity as part of the study as well as comparing measures of mental health. They found that on both counts women were more negatively affected by the pandemic than their male counterparts. The study found women reported fewer days of fruit consumption and smaller reductions in alcohol intake during the Covid pandemic. READ MORE: Psychological distress increased for both women and men during the pandemic, with women experiencing a greater rise. And the link between health behaviours and mental health weakened for women during the pandemic, with a healthy lifestyle no longer showing a significant connection to mental health. In contrast, these relationships remained consistent for men. Prior to the pandemic, health behaviours offered greater protective benefits for women's mental health, but during the pandemic, this protective effect became stronger for men. Professor Paul McNamee who led the research at the University of Aberdeen said: 'We found that women reported poorer overall changes in health behaviours than men during the pandemic. Specifically, women reported fewer days of fruit consumption and smaller reductions in alcohol intake. We also found that psychological distress increased for both women and men during the pandemic, with women experiencing a greater rise.' Professor Paul McNamee led the research at the University of Aberdeen (Image: University of Aberdeen) Dr Karen Arulsamy from Duke-NUS Medical School said: 'The adverse changes in women's health behaviours compared to men persist through to May 2023, suggesting longer-term effects were likely worsened by financial pressures during this period. It's important we keep tracking these trends.' Dr Silvia Mendolia from the University of Turin said: "Our study also shows that the pandemic considerably weakened the protective effect of health behaviours on mental health for women but not for men. For women, adopting a healthy lifestyle was strongly correlated with mental health before the pandemic, but this relationship was no longer significant during the pandemic." Professor McNamee concludes: 'Although conducted using data before and during the pandemic, these findings still have relevance today – they suggest that at times of heightened stress, women from lower socio-economic backgrounds with caregiving responsibilities that limit their ability to maintain levels of social engagement face more challenges in engaging in healthier behaviours. Therefore, targeted interventions such as social prescribing, accessible through referral from primary care providers and other voluntary agencies, could be made more widely available.' The research was funded by a research award from the Scottish Government Rural & Environmental Science and Analytical Services' (RESAS) Strategic Research Programme 2022-27. Financial support was also provided by the University of Aberdeen and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health & Social Care Directorates.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Women's health more hit than men's during Covid pandemic: Study
New Delhi: Women's mental and physical health took a severe toll than men during the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, finds a study. The study, published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, showed that psychological distress increased for both women and men during the pandemic, with women experiencing a greater rise. The link between health behaviours and mental health weakened for women during the pandemic, with a healthy lifestyle no longer showing a significant connection to mental health. In contrast, these relationships remained consistent for men. Before the pandemic, health behaviours offered greater protective benefits for women's mental health, but during the pandemic, this protective effect became stronger for men, revealed researchers from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. "We found that women reported poorer overall changes in health behaviours than men during the pandemic. Specifically, women reported fewer days of fruit consumption and smaller reductions in alcohol intake. We also found that psychological distress increased for both women and men during the pandemic, with women experiencing a greater rise," said Professor Paul McNamee, who led the research at the University of Aberdeen. To understand whether the pandemic had differing effects on the health behaviours of women and men, the team analysed national data from January 2015 to March 2023 to compare results pre- and post-pandemic. They found that women were more negatively affected by the pandemic than their male counterparts. "The adverse changes in women's health behaviours compared to men persist through to May 2023, suggesting longer-term effects were likely worsened by financial pressures during this period. It's important we keep tracking these trends," said Dr. Karen Arulsamy from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, who was also part of the study. The research called for targeted interventions as during times of heightened stress, women from lower socio-economic backgrounds with caregiving responsibilities have limited ability to maintain levels of social engagement and face more challenges in engaging in healthier behaviours.
Al-Ahram Weekly
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Tennis: Australian Open rules out mixed doubles changes after US Open furore - Omni sports
The Australian Open on Thursday ruled out following the US Open's move to radically overhaul the mixed doubles competition and play it before the main tournament starts. US tennis chiefs announced on Tuesday that mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows would become a standalone event in the week leading up to the main draw, with matches best of three sets, but played to just four games. The dramatic decision was blasted by some, with Australian former doubles world number one Paul McNamee saying it devalued the title. Last year's US Open mixed doubles winners, Italian duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, called the changes a "profound injustice". Tennis Australia said it had no plans to follow suit, citing the popularity of mixed doubles at the opening Grand Slam of the year. "Mixed doubles is a fantastic showcase for tennis, and one of the only opportunities in world sport where men and women can compete alongside and against each other," it said in a statement. "Our whole summer of tennis -- culminating with the Australian Open -- is about creating more job opportunities for the players, providing more competition on the biggest stage and more prize money. "We are always exploring new ways to elevate the sport, and while promoting men's, women's and mixed doubles is a key priority for AO 26, we have no plans to change the current format of the mixed doubles championship at the AO." US Open organisers said the "groundbreaking" move was designed to entice more singles players to mixed doubles -- potentially limiting opportunities for doubles specialists. The event this year will be made up of just 16 teams, with eight earning direct entry based on their combined singles ranking alongside eight wildcard entrants. Each match will be best-of-three sets, but with sets abbreviated to first to four games. There will be no-advantage scoring, tiebreakers at four-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. The final will be best of three sets to six games, but also featuring no-advantage, tiebreaks at six-all, and a 10-point match tiebreaker instead of a third set. This year's singles tournament will be staged from August 24 to September 7. US Open organisers had already announced another change to the tournament, with the maindraw now starting on a Sunday -- following a similar move by the Australian Open. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Big Issue publishes its list of top ‘changemakers'
The Big Issue has published a list of its so-called top 100 'changemakers', including an 11-year-old boy and Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones. The aim of the annual list is to recognise and praise notable activists, agitators and grassroots figureheads making an impact on society, as nominated by readers of the magazine. The list includes those who have raised millions for charity, supported people living in extreme poverty and fought for changes to the law. It includes barrister Christian Weaver who represented the family of Awaab Ishak during the inquest that changed housing nationally and Ruth Jones, who as well as her role in Gavin & Stacey, championed children's hospice Ty Hafan, based in her alter ego Nessa's home of Barry Island. Steven Frayne – the magician previously known as Dynamo – nominated 11-year-old Travis Robinson from his hometown of Bradford, who was inspired by an interaction with a local homeless man to sell his toys to fund the start-up of a new food bank. Other Changemakers include Maya Amangeldiyeva, who continued to run a food bank in Herne Bay after an assault and attempted arson attack; Blue Spirit Sailing, which takes young people experiencing a mental health challenge in the North East sailing; Aneysha Minocha, the inventor striving to decarbonise buildings across the world; and refugee football team Fair Shot FC. Paul McNamee, editor of the Big Issue, said: 'Against the backdrop of a madder, more divisive world, 2025's Big Issue changemakers stand out for their selfless pursuit of justice and kindness for others. Big Issue changemakers stand out for their selfless pursuit of justice and kindness for others Big Issue editor Paul McNamee He said: 'This year's list includes lawyers, inventors, entrepreneurs, footballers, sailors, singers, community leaders – from Changemakers who have changed UK law, to Changemakers who have changed things on their street corner. 'We are even celebrating our youngest ever Changemaker in 11-year-old marvel Travis, who fittingly hails from this year's UK City of Culture, Bradford. 'Our partner Citroen have generously donated an electric van that will enable one of our most impressive Changemakers – Matthew's House in Swansea – to make even more change in their community.' The list is included in the latest edition of the Big Issue, which is on sale from Monday.
