sputnik--2019-12-28--No New Friends: 75% of British Adults Aren’t Pals With Their Neighbors - Study

The survey also found that 1 in 10 adults see their neighbors less than once per month, while 40% said they are “friendly” with some of their neighbors but would not consider them friends. In fact, the average survey participant knows the names of only five people who live on their street, and 1 in 20 participants could not even name one person who lives on their block.  However, many participants don’t mind doing a favor for a neighbor, with 1 in 5 revealing that they have been asked to feed their neighbors’ pets, and 29% revealing that they have taken out a neighbor’s trash. Ten percent of all those surveyed revealed that they have bought food for a neighbor before, and 23% said that they have previously watered a neighbor’s plant. Meanwhile, 44% said they would knock on their neighbor’s door if they were locked out of their own home, and 29% said they would borrow a tool from their neighbor.  The survey also revealed that even though many aren’t friendly with their neighbors, 1 in 6 respondents are involved with their local neighborhood safety watch group, with 22% of inner city residents being part of such a group compared to 14% of country-dwellers.  What are some causes of conflicts between neighbors? Ten percent of participants noted that a blocked driveway has resulted in a spat, with the same number of participants saying that excessive noise was a cause of friction.


theguardianuk--2019-06-19--Young adults have less to spend on non-essentials study says

Young adults have less to spend on non-essentials, study says

Avocado on toast was the snack that became a synonym for millennial excess. But along with holidays and tickets to shows, dining out is proving beyond the budget of Britain’s youngest adults, who, according to new figures, have suffered a slump in their spending power for life’s non-essentials while their parents’ generation have splashed out with increasing abandon.  In an inaugural national audit of intergenerational spending power, which is likely to reignite tensions between young and old, the Resolution Foundation thinktank concludes that today’s 18- to 29-year-olds are also spending less on shoes and clothes, hobbies and travel in real terms than those at the same age in 2001 as housing costs have soared. Compared with people the same age at the turn of the millennium they are 7% poorer in real terms, after paying rent, or if they can afford it, mortgage dues.  Meanwhile, in a story that will be familiar to the rising millions of twentysomethings who can’t afford to move out from their parents home, baby boomers have cranked up their spending on fun, laying out more on recreation, restaurants, hotels and culture, as people aged 65 and over have enjoyed a steep 37% rise in spending power compared with the same generation in 2001.  The audit is published by the Resolution Foundation’s new Intergenerational Centre, which is led by the former science minister David Willetts, and it said the findings debunked “the idea that young people are devoting growing pots [of money] to eating in restaurants and cafés (be that those that serve avocado on toast or others) or flying abroad”.  The proportion the young spent on fuel and groceries was up two percentage points while their spending on recreation and culture was down two points, the share spend on restaurants and hotels was down one point and clothing and shoes down two points. The 65s and over spent three percentage points less on groceries, two percentage points more on restaurants and hotels and three percentage points more on recreation and culture.  “The clear picture in terms of day-to-day living standards as measured through household consumption is of generational progress for older generations, and generational decline for younger ones,” the report said.  A spokesman for Generation Rent, which represents young people who have been priced out of homeownership, said in response to the report that “resentment is growing” and the founder of the Intergenerational Foundation, which promotes the interests of younger generations, accused older people of “breaking the social contract”.  Far from wasting potential housing deposits on fripperies, as suggested in 2017 by one millionaire property developer, millennials have been obliged to allocate a greater proportion of any money left over after housing costs to groceries, utilities and education. In 2018 they spent £380 a week on non-housing items on average – 7% less in real terms than they would have done at the turn of the century, analysis of official figures showed. At the same time the spending of people aged 50-64 rose 11% to £460, and pensioner spending rose to £390 a week.  The audit also assesses sharp increases in housing costs, cuts to in-work benefits, stagnant pay since the financial 2008 financial crisis and widening gaps in absolute wealth between young and old as key factors in one of the biggest social changes of this era.  Half a million more twentysomethings are living at home than would have been the case if the pre-crisis trend had not been disrupted, the report found. In 2007, half of 21- to 24-year-olds lived with their parents but by 2018 this had risen to 60%. The increase for those in their late twenties was even greater, up a third from 24% to 32%.  Lord Willetts said it was clear that big gains in standards of living enjoyed by previous generations had stalled, but he noted that in the last couple of years there had been stronger pay growth for younger millennials.  “By looking for solutions through a generational lens we can repair the social contract between generations, and help bring our country back together again,” he said.  In absolute terms, young people today remain better off than baby boomers were when they were young and the report makes clear the strain on the intergenerational contract is not one way. The Office for Budget Responsibility has identified a looming £36bn annual shortfall in health, social care and pension funding because of the ageing population, which is likely to have to be filled by taxing income or inheritances.  Claire Turner, a director at the Centre for Ageing Better, urged caution at framing challenges in terms of intergenerational fairness and using statistical averages “which could distract us from the very real poverty and disadvantage experienced by people across all ages”.  “Many of the issues identified in this report are the result of decades of political short-termism and a failure by successive governments to respond to Britain’s changing population structure,” she said.  But Angus Hanton, the co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation, said older voters have allowed policies that levied high taxes on the young, and made it hard for them to save for a pension or own their own home.  “When asked to ease the pressure on the intergenerational contract by contributing a little more if they have it, older generations demand intergenerational solidarity and universal benefits for their generation, but not for others,” he said.

Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent


theguardianuk--2019-11-15--Record numbers of young adults in UK living with parents

Record numbers of young adults in their 20s and 30s are living with their parents, according to official figures, with critics blaming soaring house prices and rents.  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that over the last two decades, there has been a 46% increase in the number of young people aged 20-34 living with their parents. Over the same period, average house prices have tripled from about £97,000 to £288,000.  In total, 1.1 million more young men and women are now living at home, with the number increasing from 2.4 million in 1999 to 3.5 million in 2019.  Men are far more likely to be staying with their mum and dad into their 30s. The ONS said 32% of all males aged 20-34 are now living with their parents, compared with 26% in 1999, with most of the increase occurring since the financial crisis in 2007-08.  One in five women (21%) aged 20-34 live with their parents, although this is also a substantial increase from the 14% level of two decades ago.  Georgie Laming of campaign group Generation Rent said: “Young people are facing an impossible choice: either stay, if you’re lucky, living in your childhood bedroom in the hope you can save a deposit – or rent and face a struggle to put money aside. Two thirds of private renters have no savings whatsoever.”  In its review of trends in British households in 2019, the ONS noted that the other major change is the number of people living alone. Single person households have increased by a fifth over the last 20 years, largely driven by men aged 45-64.  A total of 8.2 million people now live alone, up from 6.8 million in 1999. The ONS said higher proportions of men than women never marry and that after partnership dissolution, men are more likely to live alone while women may live with any children from the relationship.  One of the key reasons why young adults stay at home for longer is to save for the much higher downpayments needed on their first home purchase.  In the mid 1990s, young adults typically put down a deposit of just 10%, and house prices in real terms were much lower. Now, the typical first-time buyer struggles to find the £25,000 deposit typically needed, with the average figure – heavily skewed by London prices – at nearly £45,000.  Liz Emerson, cofounder of the Intergenerational Foundation, said: “These figures provide yet further evidence that intergenerational unfairness is worsening. We should all be ashamed that our young people cannot strike out on their own like previous generations have been able to do.”  Quite why so many more men than women stay at home in their 20s and 30s is not entirely clear.  When the ONS issued a report earlier this year on the “Journey into adulthood”, it said: “There are a few possible reasons for this: women have traditionally moved in with a partner at younger ages than men; women are also more likely to go to university; and there is some evidence that, early in their careers at least, women have been known to earn more than men.”  For many parents, the “boomerang generation” of offspring returning from university presents its own challenges. Research by Loughborough University and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in January found that the average young adult in their 20s living at home saves £91 a week in rent, £16.50 in council tax and £12.80 in fuel bills.  But parents have to spend extra on food and heating, with the researchers suggesting that young adults should pay £100 a month for bed and board while at home.  The millions of young adults forced to stay at home or pay high rents could emerge as a key electoral battleground, with campaign groups demanding rent controls and targeting key marginal constituencies where renters could sway the result.  Generation Rent, working with other rental action groups, has identified 47 constituencies where the local MP’s majority is under 5,000 but where private tenants make up a higher than average proportion of voters.  Top of the demands in the campaigners’ national rental manifesto are new rent controls which would ban landlords from charging more than 30% of the local median income.  The tenants’ manifesto also demands an end to discrimination against tenants on housing benefit and the abolition of so-called “revenge” section 21 evictions (a section 21 notice is the form a landlord must give to a renter to start the process to end an assured shorthold tenancy).

Patrick Collinson Personal finance editor


theindependent--2019-01-04--Half of adults who think they have food allergies are wrong scientists claim

Half of adults who think they have food allergies are wrong, scientists claim

Millions of adults have drawn the incorrect conclusion that they have food allergies, a new study has revealed.  The research, published in JAMA Network Open, has found that almost half of adults in the US who think they have food allergies haven’t shown symptoms to back their claims.  While more than 10 per cent of adults are believed to have a food allergy, 19 per cent of the population are under the impression that they’re allergic to certain foods.  The study was carried out by researchers from Anna and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University.  The team, which was led by paediatrician and food allergy researcher Dr Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, assessed answers from a survey that had been taken by 40,000 adult members of the public.  Their findings indicated that only half of the adults with supposed food allergies had been diagnosed by a medical professional, and less than a quarter reportedly had a prescription for epinephrine to treat an allergic reaction.  “While we found that one in 10 adults have food allergy, nearly twice as many adults think that they are allergic to foods, while their symptoms may suggest food intolerance or other food related conditions,” says Dr Gupta.  “It is important to see a physician for appropriate testing and diagnosis before completely eliminating foods from the diet.  “If food allergy is confirmed, understanding the management is also critical, including recognising symptoms of anaphylaxis and how and when to use epinephrine.”  The researchers also discovered that nearly half of the confirmed food allergies among the participants developed in adulthood.  “We were surprised to find that adult-onset food allergies were so common,” says Dr. Gupta.  “More research is needed to understand why this is occurring and how we might prevent it.”  Here are the most common food allergies among adults in the US, according to the study:  Dr Gupta emphasises that more research is needed to find out why shellfish allergy is so common among US adults, and why it frequently develops later on in life.  “Our data show that shellfish is the top food allergen in adults, that shellfish allergy commonly begins in adulthood, and that this allergy is remarkably common across the lifespan,” she explains.  “We need more studies to clarify why shellfish allergy appears to be so common and persistent among U.S. adults.”


theindependent--2019-02-04--British adults not getting enough sleep or aposme timeapos survey claims

British adults not getting enough sleep or 'me time', survey claims

British adults are not getting enough sleep, "me time" or fun, according to a new survey.  Researchers found exercise, holidays and Instagram likes were among the top 40 things respondents wished they had more of.  Others felt they did not have enough disposable income or good luck in their life.  It found that a lack of money was apparently the greatest barrier to “getting enough” in life, followed by a lack of time and lack of willpower.  Israel Rivera, head of group exercise at Virgin Active, said: “Our research shows there are a host of things we’re not getting enough of, including exercise.  "Exercise can be hard to fit into your life - between your job, family and trying to have a social life.  "But when you strike the right balance, and ‘enough’ becomes part of your life, you will find you’re able to achieve more than you ever expected, whether you have 30 minutes or hours to spare.''  Salary was also on the list of things adults were not getting enough of, along with some who claimed they were not getting enough sex.  Others felt they did not get enough emotional support in their day-to-day lives, as well as time with their family and work satisfaction.  The study of 2,000 adults also discovered exactly what Britons considered to be “enough”, with seven hours sleep considered ideal – although the average adult gets less than six hours in reality.  And while British adults do three hours of exercise a week, they believed double that would be the “perfect” amount.  Nearly seven in 10 of those polled via OnePoll felt celebrities and influencers created unrealistic expectations of how much exercise is “enough”.  It also emerged that more than one-quarter of Britons set themselves a health or fitness related New Year’s resolution, with half of those wanting to lose weight and one in three wanting to change their diet.  Others planned to do more exercise, including running, swimming or yoga.  However, 29 per cent were not able to stick to them.  Respondents were also disappointed by only getting an hour and a quarter of “me time”.  Britons also considered four and a half hours a day with their family “enough” but currently get just three hours.


theindependent--2019-04-29--Quarter of British adults have experienced cyberbullying figures show

Quarter of British adults have experienced cyberbullying, figures show

Almost one if four people in the UK have experienced some sort of cyberbullying, according to research released today.  The YouGov poll, which interviewed 2,034 people, found that 23 per cent of people reported being targeted online.  Those aged 18 to 24 are the most likely to be cyberbullied, with 55 per cent of respondents in this age bracket saying they had experienced some sort of bullying online, followed by 25- to 34-year-olds (33 per cent).  While a number of campaigns are trying to address cyberbullying among children, these figures show it’s also worryingly common in adults.  The most common form of cyberbullying was harassment, when a person sends abusive or hateful messages – one in eight people said this had happened to them before.  Cyberstalking – where someone sends messages repeatedly that make you afraid for your safety – had been experienced by 5 per cent of respondents, while 7 per cent have had someone spread fake and potentially damaging information about them online.  Facebook was the most common platform for cyberbullying, followed by Twitter. Adults are least likely to experience cyberbullying on YouTube and Snapchat.  Just over half (53 per cent) of those who have been cyberbullied reported the incident to the platform.  These experiences can have real-life consequences – one in four 18- to 24-year-olds who have experienced cyberbullying say they have less confidence engaging in real life discussions as a result of this.  According to 2017 statistics from anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label, among those aged 12 to 20, Instagram is the most common platform for cyberbullying.  A 2018 survey found that almost half of young people said that in the last year they had experienced someone being mean to them over the internet – or they had been excluded online.  Earlier this month, a white paper published jointly by the Departments for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Home Office, proposed new laws which would require social media companies to protect users from harm, which includes violent content, encouraging suicide, disinformation, cyber bullying and children accessing inappropriate material.  At the time, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “We have listened to campaigners and parents, and are putting a legal duty of care on internet companies to keep people safe.  “Online companies must start taking responsibility for their platforms, and help restore public trust in this technology.”


theindependent--2019-07-24--Half of UK adults get their news from social media Ofcom finds

Half of UK adults get their news from social media, Ofcom finds

Nearly half of British adults get their news from social media, according to a new report by media regulator Ofcom.  It found that social media platforms tend to be rated least favourably than any other news source for quality, accuracy, trustworthiness and impartiality.  The report revealed that TV remains the most popular way for people to access news and is used by 75 per cent of adults. But usage has decreased from 79 per cent last year.  However, use of social media for news has risen during the same period from 44 per cent to 49 per cent.  After TV, the internet is the next most popular way for people to access news and is used by 66 per cent of adults.  It is followed by radio, used by 43 per cent of British adults, and print newspapers, used by 38 per cent.  But when combining print with newspaper websites and apps, this increases to 49 per cent.  BBC One is still the most popular branded news source but has decreased in use from 62 per cent to 58 per cent this year.  Use of the BBC News Channel and BBC Two for news has also fallen since last year.  After BBC One, ITV (40 per cent) and Facebook (35 per cent) are the next most commonly-used news sources.  The use of Facebook for news has remained stable, but more people are using Twitter (up from 14 per cent to 16 per cent), WhatsApp (from 10 per cent to 14 per cent) and Instagram (9 per cent to 13 per cent) to consume news.  Magazines are rated more favourably than any other news platform on quality, accuracy, trustworthiness and impartiality.  Only 37 per cent of people who use social media for news said they thought it was impartial, compared to 78 per cent among magazine users, 62 per cent for TV, 61 per cent for radio and 58 per cent for print newspapers.  Six in 10 children aged 12-15 said they are interested in news with three quarters saying they read, watched or listened to news at least once a week.  Last week, the education secretary Damian Hinds warned school teachers that they need to better prepare pupils of the risks posed by “fake news” and disinformation online.  Every child will learn about confirmation bias and online risks as a compulsory part of the curriculum as the government publishes new safety guidance for schools.


theirishtimes--2019-04-04--Only 40 of adults believe student climate protests will make a difference

Only 40% of adults believe student climate protests will make a difference

Only two out of five Irish adults believe the school strikes held by children to raise awareness around climate change and justice will actually make a difference.  More than 11,000 school children marched on Dáil Éireann last month as part of a worldwide environmental protest prompted by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg. Following the march, five students appeared before an Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action calling on the Government to “take a leap” in response to global warming.  On Thursday, more than 350 students and teachers gathered in Croke Park to discuss the importance of teenage activism in affecting change on global issues and to hold their own “strike for change” holding up banners from the March 15th climate strike.  While three out of five Irish adults were found to support children and young people in their call to action, researchers found only 41 per cent expected the demonstrations would be “fairly” or “very” effective while more than a third expected the strikes would be “ineffective”.  Of the third who did not believe the strikes would make a difference, 31 per cent believed the link between climate change and energy consumption was exaggerated while 12 per cent disagreed that the consequences of global warming were serious.  More than half of all adults surveyed said they did not feel a strong duty “to help those with less” than themselves.  The research, carried out by the Interactions group between March 21st and March 30th, was conducted among a national cross section of 1,004 adults (including parents) aged 18 and over. Age, gender, region and social class quotas were used in selecting participants to ensure a fully representative cohort of Irish adults, Interactions research director Claire Rountree confirmed.  “Our research focused on both adults and parents’ attitudes to the school strikes,” said Ms Rountree.  “These findings suggest that a third of adults believe the strikes would be ineffective. Which begs the question: Why are 60 per cent of parents supporting their children? Is it down to their social conscience or does it come down to good old-fashioned peer pressure from the kids?”


theirishtimes--2019-10-15--Number of adults seeking help on ADHD diagnosis doubles

ADHD Ireland has reported the number of adults contacting its services has more than doubled in the past two years as a result of a growing awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  ADHD is a medical/neurobiological condition in which the brain’s neurotransmitter chemicals, noradrenalin and dopamine do not work properly.


thesun--2019-08-06--Nearly half of adults dont pay income tax HMRC data shows

Nearly half of adults don’t pay income tax, HMRC data shows

SHOCKING new statistics reveal that more than half of the working population don't earn enough cash to pay income tax.  There were 54million adults in the UK in 2014/15, but just 31million of those paid income tax, according to analysis by think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).  And they paid around 73 per cent of the UK's income tax bill.  That means around 21million people - or 43 per cent of the adult population - earn less than £12,500 a year - the rate at which you start paying income tax.  Taking all income tax payers in the UK, the IFS says average earnings are just £22,000 a year.  But at the other end of the scale, the top 1 per cent of income tax payers are a group of around 310,000 people, who have a taxable income of at least £160,000.  They mostly live in London and the South East (see the map above) and pay around 27 per cent of the nation's income tax.  The IFS points out that one the key reasons for this stark contrast is because the tax-free allowance - the amount of cash we earn before tax is paid - has been creeping up each year.  It currently stands at £12,500, but it was as low as £6,475 in the 2010/11 financial year and it's expected to rise in stages to £13,310 by the 2023/24 financial year.  Another reason for the decrease in taxpayers is the rising number of pensioners who retire and see their income dip below the tax-free allowance.  John O'Connell, chief executive of campaign group the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "The decline in the number of adults who pay income tax is in large part because of more retirees, and the increase in the personal allowance."  But he points out that even though you might not pay income tax, there are a whole host of other things you will be taxed on.  "Too often we are forced to pay for other taxes which we might not even be aware of," said Mr O'Connell.  "From flights to petrol, insurance to fizzy drinks, the government takes a huge proportion of our income, even if your labour isn't taxed any more.  "National insurance and income tax should eventually be merged. This will simplify the system and ensure people are more aware of just how much HMRC extracts from them."  National insurance of 12 per cent is currently paid on top of income tax if you earn between £8,632 a year and £50,024 a year.  Earn under £8,632, and national insurance isn't due, but earn more than £50,024 and earnings over this will attract a 2 per cent tax.  For more information, check out our round-up of 2019/20 income tax rates 2019 and how much you’ll pay if Boris Johnson increases the threshold.  And check if you are on the right tax code for 2019/20 - you could be owed hundreds of pounds.  We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at money@the-sun.co.uk


thesun--2019-08-22--Nearly half of UK adults still rely on parents for extra cash to help with uni fees bills and home

Nearly half of UK adults still rely on parents for extra cash to help with uni fees, bills and home improvements

ALMOST half of adults admit they still rely on ‘The Bank of Mum and Dad’ for cash, a study has found.  Over the course of the last year, adult children have ‘borrowed’ a total of £708 from their mums and dads to help with university fees, bills and home improvements.  Others even admitted they have asked for cash to pay for contact lenses, coffee pods, mobile phone bills and even dog food.  And a hopeful 47 per cent believe their parents don’t expect them to pay back the cash.  It also emerged three in five of the 2,000 adults polled reckon they would struggle to make ends meet without having their parents as a financial buffer.  And four fifths feel more secure knowing they can go to mum and dad should they find themselves in financial difficulty.  The research was commissioned by Virgin Media to mark the launch of its new multi SIM mobile offering - Family Plan, which brings together SIMs, savings and safety to help Virgin Media cable customers manage their family’s mobile services, offering savings of up to £96 per year.  Annie Brooks, executive director of broadband and mobile at Virgin Media, said: “Our research shows that ‘The Bank of Mum and Dad’ is still very much in business, with Brits depending on their parents even when they’re grown-up.  “Balancing finances, family life and everything else in between can be a challenge so Virgin Media’s new Family Plan was created to take some of the pressure off parents, making their family’s mobile services simple, affordable and safe, and giving them one less thing to worry about.”  The research also found British parents believe they should typically stop paying their kids’ mobile phone bill when they turn 20, and would like to encourage their children to have left home by the time they are 21.  But it also emerged parents aren’t just picking up the bill for everyday items, with two in five respondents admitting their mum or dad have picked up the bill when they've gone out for dinner.  One in five confess to using their parent’s generosity to help cover the costs of holidays, while 13 per cent take money from their mum and dad to make car payments.  Respondents also revealed some of the strangest things their parents still pay for, including bus fares and haircuts, with one sweet-toothed Brit admitting their mum often treats them to a custard slice when she goes past a bakery.  Half of British adults are also enjoying random cash gifts from their parents – with 13 per cent saying they 'often' receive a windfall.  These financial boosts are most likely to be provided by mum and on average come to the tune of £229 in a single instance.  But a lucky eight per cent take in cash sums of £1,000 or more.  In total over their lives so far Brits have borrowed, or been given, a whopping £4,557 by their parents, according to the OnePoll.com figures.  However, seven in 10, while happy for the financial help, admit to being left ‘embarrassed’ at needing assistance with money.  And more than two thirds have felt ‘ashamed’ about asking for cash.  The reliance on parents goes beyond their bank account though, as Brits look to their mums and dads for advice on cooking tips, house-buying issues and career queries too.


thesun--2019-09-26--Number of young adults going to university rises above 50 per cent for first time

THE proportion of young adults going to university has topped 50 per cent for the first time.  Official figures show 50.2 per cent of those aged 17 to 30 in England participated in higher education in 2017/18.  But they came as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson accused universities of not doing enough to recruit disadvantaged students — despite £1billion spent on   schemes to widen access.  He said: “A lot are not showing the evidence as to the impact it’s having.  “I’m not going to be timid in naming and shaming universities that continuously lag behind, and aren’t willing to make the changes that are required.”  Professor Julia Buckingham, president of Universities UK, said: “Eighteen-year-olds from the most disadvantaged areas in England are more likely to go to university than ever before. But we know there is more work to do.”  The figures, which cover universities and colleges, show the 2017/18 participation rate among women was 56.6 per cent, while for males it was 44.1 per cent.  Passing the 50 per cent mark fulfilled a pledge 20 years ago by PM Tony Blair to get half of young people into higher education.


thetelegraph--2019-01-05--Millions of British adults are functionally illiterate but problem is ignored Dame Gail Rebuck warn

Millions of British adults are functionally illiterate but problem is ignored, Dame Gail Rebuck warns

Millions of British adults are functionally illiterate but the subject is ignored because it is not a “fashionable” cause, according to the most powerful woman in publishing.  Dame Gail Rebuck founded the Quick Reads scheme, which distributes specially-written books designed to encourage adults to discover the joy of reading.  The scheme began in 2005 and attracted some of the country’s best-selling authors, including Joanna Trollope, Adele Parks and Andy McNab. But this year it faced closure after failing to find a corporate sponsor and was only saved after Jojo Moyes, the writer, stepped in with £120,000 of her own money.  “It’s a huge sum of money but not to a corporate sponsor,” Dame Gail told the Telegraph. “But the point is, it’s not fashionable, is it? You can talk about little kids reading - we can all relate to that, we all want children to read books, it’s lovely.  “But adults not reading? Or adults in the workplace not having enough literacy to fill in a form, to work on a computer, to be promoted? That’s not something that people like to talk about. But it exists.”  The National Literacy Trust estimates that 5.1 million adults in England are functionally illiterate, meaning that they have a reading age of 11 or below and can understand only the most straightforward, short texts on familiar topics.  Dame Gail, chair of Penguin Random House, devised Quick Reads after first founding World Book Day for children in 1997. She said: “At the time, and this seems like another age, people were worried about kids watching videos. They weren’t reading - this was pre-JK Rowling and there was a real sense that we were losing a generation.  “A few years later I was asked to give a World Book Day lecture and I mentioned that there are five million adults in the UK who are functionally illiterate. After giving the lecture, people came up to me and said, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ I actually hadn’t thought of doing anything, but it suddenly occurred to me that if you have a household where there are no books, where the adults are either illiterate or so nervous about their literary capabilities that they don’t get engaged in their kids’ education or their homework, you have a cycle of deprivation that goes on through generations.  “We got publishers involved and create a library of books to excite and engage emerging adult readers. We are very thankful to Jojo Moyes, who passionately believes in the power of reading to transform lives.”  Moyes will fund Quick Reads for the next three years. She said when the donation was announced earlier this year: “There’s a political side of me that feels dismayed that it’s down to an individual to keep a scheme that is basically for the public good going. In an ideal world it wouldn’t be me … but we are where we are.  “We live in really difficult times and I felt sometimes you just have to put your money where your mouth is, and this is a cause I believe in.”


thetelegraph--2019-07-02--Number of adults using e-cigarettes rises 70 per cent in two years while one in four children now t

Number of adults using e-cigarettes rises 70 per cent in two years, while one in four children now try them

The number of adults vaping has risen by 70 per cent in just two years, with one in four children trying e-cigarettes, official data shows.  The NHS data shows the number of adults and children smoking has dropped to a record low, while vaping is on the rise.  In total, 6.3 per cent of adults are current users of e-cigarettes, the figures for 2016 show - up from 3.7 per cent in 2014.  And 25 per cent of children aged between 11 and 15 have tried e-cigarettes - a rise from 22 per cent in two years.  Public Health England said vaping is now the most popular and effective way for smokers to quit.  Chief executive Duncan Selbie said: "This is really positive news in the battle against the nation's biggest killer. Smoking in England is in terminal decline, with the lowest number of smokers ever and a smoke-free generation now in sight.”  The figures, for 2016, show just six per cent of school pupils aged between 11 and 15 reported they were current smokers, down from 22 per cent in 1996.


thetelegraph--2019-08-21--Middle-aged adults who sit for more than nine hours a day double their risk of early death

Middle-aged adults who sit for more than nine hours a day are doubling their risk of early death, but walking briskly for 24 minutes can help extend life, a study suggests.  Previous research has repeatedly suggested that sedentary behaviour is bad and physical activity is good for health.  But a team from the University of Leicester and Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo wanted to determine how indolent behaviour impacts early death, and analysed eight large studies.  During the 5.8 year follow-up 5.9 per cent of the 36,000 people in the studies had died.  Deaths fell steeply as the total amount of physical activity increased to a plateau of about 300 minutes (five hours) per day of light-intensity...


upi--2019-10-17--Stroke risk higher for younger adults with PTSD

Oct. 17 -- Young and middle-aged adults with post-traumatic stress disorder have an increased risk of stroke, new research suggests.  For the study, researchers analyzed medical data from more than 1 million veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They ranged in age from 18 to 60 years and two-thirds were white.  Of those, 29 percent had been diagnosed with PTSD. None had previously suffered a stroke or mini-stroke -- also known as a transient ischemic attack, or "TIA."  During 13 years of follow-up, 766 vets had a TIA and 1,877 had an ischemic stroke, which is caused by blocked blood flow to the brain.  Veterans with PTSD were 62 percent more likely to have a stroke, raising the risk more than known risk factors such as obesity and smoking. They were also twice as likely to have a TIA, increasing the risk more than diabetes and sleep apnea.  Even after accounting for known stroke risk factors, mental health disorders (such as depression and anxiety) and drug and alcohol abuse, the investigators found that veterans with PTSD were still 61 percent more likely to have a TIA and 36 percent more likely to have a stroke than vets without PTSD.  The link between PTSD and stroke was stronger in men than in women. In addition, vets with PTSD were more likely to have unhealthy habits -- such as smoking and inactivity -- that increase stroke risk, according to the study published Oct. 17 in the journal Stroke.  Previous studies have shown that PTSD increases heart disease and stroke risk for older adults, but the researchers said this is the first study to identify a link between PTSD and the risk of TIA and stroke in young and middle-aged adults. These groups have had a large increase in strokes over the past decade, the study authors noted.  "Stroke has a devastating impact on young patients and their families, many of whom struggle to cope with long-term disability, depression and economic loss during their most productive years," said lead author Lindsey Rosman. She's an assistant professor in the cardiology division at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.  "Ten to 14 percent of ischemic strokes occur in adults ages 18 to 45, and we don't really have a good understanding of the risk factors for stroke in this age group," she explained in a journal news release.  PTSD affects about 30 percent of U.S. veterans. While this study focused on veterans, about 8 million U.S. adults have PTSD, which can develop when someone sees or experiences a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, gun violence, military combat or a natural disaster.  "PTSD is not just a veteran issue, it's a serious public health problem," Rosman said.  Clinicians should be aware that mental health conditions like PTSD are increasingly common among young people and may affect their risk of stroke, she added.  "Our findings raise important questions about whether early recognition and successful treatment of PTSD can prevent or decrease the likelihood of developing stroke in those exposed to violence, trauma and severe adversity," Rosman said.  The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on PTSD.


upi--2019-12-17--Young adults with ADHD more likely to use nicotine

Dec. 17 -- Young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, are at increased risk for nicotine addiction, new research shows.  For the study, a Duke University team used a nasal spray to determine how nicotine affected 136 nonsmoking volunteers, aged 18 to 25.  About half had been diagnosed with ADHD. The others had no diagnosed mental health conditions.  In the first three sessions, participants were given two different doses of nicotine spray as well as a placebo spray with no nicotine. In later sessions, the volunteers chose between a nicotine or placebo spray, but did they did not know which spray contained nicotine.  The participants first did this while relaxing and then while solving math problems.  "Regardless of demand conditions, the people with ADHD chose the spray with nicotine," said study lead author Scott Kollins. He's a professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke's School of Medicine.  "Meanwhile, the people who did not have ADHD chose nicotine more often when they had to work on the cognitively challenging math problems," he added.  The findings suggest "that the very first exposure to nicotine might be more pleasurable or reinforcing for individuals with ADHD, which in turn may lead to higher rates of dependence," Kollins said. "This is important both for combustible cigarette smoking and the possibility of getting hooked on e-cigarettes."  The study was published online recently in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.  Nicotine affects brain physiology that's involved in ADHD, the researchers noted.  When the investigators followed up with the participants six months after the study to find out if any had started using nicotine or tobacco, they found that none had.  Even so, the findings underscore the importance of talking to young people with ADHD about the effects of nicotine and their potential risk for addiction, the study authors said.  "It's not enough for us to wait for kids and adolescents who have ADHD to have already experienced nicotine," Kollins said. "We should talk to them about that sooner, before they have their first puff of a cigarette or vape with e-cigarettes."  The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on ADHD.


veteranstoday--2019-03-01--Medications Older Adults Should Avoid

Medications Older Adults Should Avoid

Health Editor’s Note: You might be on one of the drugs listed below.  It may be fine for you to be taking that drug.  If you are taking a medication listed here it would be prudent to discuss that medication with the healthcare provider who prescribed it for you.  It is always in your best interest to have your medications reviewed as some may no longer be necessary or may not be doing what they were intended to do for your health.  Keep a list of your medications in your wallet, along with dosage and how many times a day, so you can refer to that list if you need to remind someone what you are taking. Also, if you are being seen by more than one healthcare provider be sure that ALL know your medication list as well as herbals and vitamins that you are taking.  Some medications and herbals do not work together…..Carol  The risks of using certain prescription and OTC drugs change as you get older. Are you taking something you shouldn’t be?  Even if you’re as sharp and active as you were in your 20s, there’s no denying your body has changed over the years. And while some of those changes might be obvious, others are not as easily noticeable. One important example: how your body responds to medication.  As you age, your kidney function changes, so it takes longer for many drugs to leave your system. Meanwhile, your body is less able to hold on to water and your body fat percentage increases, says Donna Marie Fick, Ph.D., R.N., director of the Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn State College of Nursing.  These shifts, among others, mean a drug that worked well for you when you were younger might no longer do the trick—or, worse, it could leave you vulnerable to serious side effects or adverse events.  Benzodiazepines, for example, are often prescribed for anxiety and related conditions, but can increase the risk for cognitive impairment, falls, and motor vehicle accidents—leading to fractures and other serious injuries. Despite these risks, six percent of men and more than 10 percent of women 65 to 80 years old use benzodiazepines, according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry.  In an effort to keep older adults and their doctors in the loop about these risks, the American Geriatric Society (AGS) maintains a list of drugs that might be dangerous in older patients. And you might very well be taking one or more of the drugs on this list.  If you’re thinking your doctor should already know which drugs are off-limits for seniors, don’t be so sure. Unless you’re seeing a geriatrician, your provider might not be an expert in treating older adults.  You should also know that the 2019 version of the AGS list—called the AGS Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults—just came out in late January 2019. The previous update was in 2015, so if your doctor is still relying on that version, their info could be outdated.  Another common issue: “You might have been put on a drug when you were 55 or 60, but now you’re 65 or 75 and still taking it,” says Fick, who was a panel co-chair for the 2019 update.  That could be problematic if a doctor hasn’t recently assessed all of the meds you’re taking. She recommends going over all your prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, as well as any dietary supplements you may be using, with a doctor at least every six months.  “There’s a big push now to do what’s called ‘deprescribing,’ because the sheer number of drugs you’re taking is the biggest risk factor for adverse events,” she says.  Whether you’re taking one pill or 10 (or more!), you and your doctor should consult the new AGS guide to help make sure it’s safe for you. The guide puts drugs into five categories:  You can get most of the highlights of the report by visiting HealthinAging.org. If your doctor hasn’t already seen the full version, point them to the AGS professional site or the January edition of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.  In the meantime, here is a list of relatively common medications that older adults are now advised to avoid or use with caution.  Of course, there are exceptions to everything, and there are some cases in which one or more of the drugs listed above truly is best for an older adult.  “All drugs have risks,” Fink says. “Our panel—which included clinicians, research scientists, private practice providers, pharmacists, and nurses—really tried to weigh the risk and benefits to figure out which ones belong on this list.”  Your own doctor can take it a step further by factoring in your medical history, health conditions, current medications, and any personal risk factors. If you’re concerned about a medication you are taking, continue taking it as directed, but call your doctoras soon as possible. After reviewing your information, your doctor will decide if it’s best for you to continue, change, or stop your medication.


liveaction--2019-12-04--Survey: Over 40 percent of American women open to learning about natural family planning

In 2018, the Natural Cycles app became the first non-hormonal birth control method to receive both CE marking in Europe and FDA approval in the United States. The app was founded six years ago by Swedish particle physicist Elina Berglund Scherwitzl and her husband, who were beginning plan their own family. In an ACCESSWIRE article, Berglund said, “I’d stopped using hormonal birth control, and, in my search for a natural alternative, I learned that a woman’s body temperature changes throughout her menstrual cycle.”  Users take their temperature each day when they wake up, input that data into the app, and then check whether they’re on a ‘red day’ (potentially fertile) or ‘green day’ (infertile). The app utilizes a sophisticated algorithm to determine whether a woman is fertile or infertile by ‘learning’ her body’s unique patterns. The app can be used either to achieve or to avoid pregnancy, and research has found it to be as effective or more effective for avoiding pregnancy than many conventional methods of birth control.  A recent study of 4,023 women and 499 healthcare professionals commissioned by Natural Cycles and conducted by global marketing research firm Dynata revealed that healthcare professionals significantly underestimated American women’s interest in learning about fertility awareness-based methods of family planning. The survey found that 58-63% of healthcare professionals surveyed expected fewer than two in 10 women (20 percent) to be interested in fertility awareness-based methods. In reality, over four in 10 American women (40 percent) surveyed were open to learning about them. These women’s reasons most commonly included wanting to better understand their body and cycle, as well as “seeking an option which had no negative impact on their health, body, or mind; seeking a more natural approach to birth control; and seeking greater personal control over their body and fertility.” The survey furthermore found that more than 4 in 10 women who were not using birth control were motivated by an objection to ingesting hormones.  Live Action News has reported here, here, here, and here on the potential risks for women and girls who use hormonal birth control — which has the potential to prevent a new human life from implanting in the uterus. The Natural Cycles app and other evidence-based technologies based on fertility awareness-based methods provide the ability to plan pregnancies without the nasty physical and mental side effects.  “Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2019-12-11--Abortions reach highest percentage among Black women since 2000

Abortions on Black women have now reached their highest percentage since 2000, according to newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The abortion data, released in November and analyzed by Live Action News, reveals that in 2016, while Black women accounted for 38 percent of reported abortions, population estimates for 2016 (like 2015) show that African Americans made up just 12 percent of the population. This news comes on the heels of deliberate efforts by the abortion lobby to market abortions among women of color as a positive.  Abortion percentage by race/ethnicity (2016): In 2016, 623,471 abortions were reported to the CDC from 48 reporting areas. However, due to limited state requirements, abortions for race/ethnicity were recorded in just 32 reporting areas. According to the CDC, the percentage (below) is based on a total of 383,485 abortions reported among the 32 areas that met reporting standards for race/ethnicity.  Live Action News has estimated the total number of abortions by using the CDC’s percentages for race/ethnicity and multiplying it against all reported abortions (623,471) reported in 2016: • An estimated 649 abortions were committed on Black women every single day. • Black women made up just 12 percent of the U.S. population but accounted for 38 percent of reported abortions. • The Black abortion rate (abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) was 3.8 times higher than white abortion rate (25.1 v. 6.6) and 2.15 times higher than the Hispanic abortion rate (25.1 v. 11.7). • The Black abortion ratio (abortions per 1,000 live births) was nearly 3.7 times higher than the White abortion ratio (401 v. 109) and more than 2.5 times higher than Hispanic abortion ratio (401 v. 156). • Black abortions (236,919 estimated) outnumbered the top nine leading causes of death (235,139) for Black Americans combined. • Estimated Black abortion numbers were 24 times greater than homicides committed on Black Americans (236,919 v. 9,860) that same year.  Tragically, 2016 also saw the highest percentage of Black abortions since 2000.  However, in 2016, the abortion rate for Black women fell to 25.1 from a high of 33.9 in 2006 and 30 in 2000. In addition, while the Black abortion ratio rose slightly from 390 in 2015 to 401 in 2016, it has dropped to the lowest number since a high of 503 in 2000. • More than 321 abortions were done every day on Hispanic women. • Hispanics made up 18% of the U.S. population, and accounted for 18.8 percent of reported abortions. • The Hispanic abortion rate (abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) was 1.7 times higher than the White abortion rate (11.7 v. 6.6). • The Hispanic abortion ratio (abortions per 1,000 live births) was 1.4 times higher than the White abortion ratio (156 v. 109). • Hispanic abortions (117, 212 est.) outnumbered the top five leading causes of deaths (111,602) for Hispanic Americans combined. • Estimated Hispanic abortion numbers were nearly 37 times greater than homicides committed on Hispanic Americans (117, 212 v. 3,187) that same year.  Between 2000 and 2016, the percentage of Hispanic women who obtained abortions fell slightly from 2000 and from a high in 2007.  Between 2000 and 2016, the Hispanic abortion rate (16 v 11.7) and ratio (225 v. 156) has also decreased.  As Live Action News previously documented, Planned Parenthood’s effort to change the so-called “stigma” that surrounds abortion by “working with content creators on honest and authentic portrayals of abortion in film and television” will include creating more portrayals of “women of color (WOC)” obtaining abortions — something that should raise the eyebrows of anyone who knows about the eugenic history of Planned Parenthood. To assist in rolling out the plan, Planned Parenthood has appointed staffer Caren Spruch to oversee the effort. She has reportedly influenced more than 150 films since 2014.  Planned Parenthood’s eugenic agenda was driven by founder Margaret Sanger, who strategically worked to convince the Black community to control its population through her infamous “Negro Project.” Sanger is still viewed as a hero by the abortion industry, despite her admission that she met with members of the Ku Klux Klan, advocated eugenics, and supported the use of sterilization to rid the planet of the “unfit.”  Data published by Planned Parenthood’s former “special affiliate,” the Guttmacher Institute, which publishes more comprehensive abortion numbers than the Centers for Disease Control, reveals that in 2017, Planned Parenthood’s market share of abortions climbed to nearly 39% (38.5%). In addition, an analysis by Live Action News estimated that over half of Planned Parenthood’s non-government revenue still comes from abortion.  “Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


newspunch--2019-01-22--94 Percent of Native American Women Say They Have Been Raped

94 percent of Native American woman have been raped or sexually abused at least once in their lifetime, according to a damning report.  The report, from the Urban Indian Health Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the first to examine the experience of native women living in an urban environment.  Independent.co.uk reports: Out of the 148 women surveyed, 94 per cent said they had been raped or forced to have sex and 69 per cent claimed they experienced street harassment.  What’s more, 86 per cent reported they suffered from historical trauma – a term which refers to the idea trauma from colonisation and historical oppression gets passed down from one generation to another.  The research – which documents the experiences of sexual violence among Seattle-based American Indian and Alaska Native women – found more than half the women (53 per cent) were homeless at the time they were surveyed.  Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk discovered the results of the survey in 2016 in the bottom drawer of a file cabinet in the corner of her office. However the health institute has only just released the survey results to the public.  Indigenous women’s rights advocate Susan Balbas of the Na’ah Illahee Fund said native groups are inclined towards staying quiet surrounding violence against women in the community due to concerns about how outsiders will perceive indigenous groups.  Nevertheless, she said she thinks it is time the community publicly addresses the high rate of abuse and homelessness.  “It’s acknowledging the violence in the community but really developing a critical analysis about what the causes are,” Ms Balbas told the Seattle Times.  “It’s the legacies, the ongoing legacies of colonisation and policies that have affected tribal communities, intentional policies that have hurt and damaged native communities.”  “This will be the first of many discussions that will take place around sexual violence in our community,” Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez said in a statement.  “We have always known that the rates of sexual violence against native women was high, but it’s going to take others to acknowledge it as well and to do something about it, and that needs to happen now.”  Esther Lucero, CEO of Seattle Indian Health Board – the non-profit organisation which oversees the Urban Indian Health Institute – said the reasons for such high rates of abuse and lack of accountability are multifaceted and complex. She said they partly stem from the historical trauma of colonialism.  This is defined in the report as “cumulative emotional and psychological injury over the lifespan and across generations, emanating from massive group trauma and a history of genocide”.  Historical trauma can display itself as cycles of violence which sees the perpetrators often being survivors of abuse themselves.  She argued boarding schools which strived to assimilate native communities by depriving them of their traditions “is where our family systems became dismantled.”  Ms Lucero said colonisation also spurred the dehumanisation of indigenous women – forging a “culture where women are less valued and thought of as property”.  Back in May 2016, a study by the Department of Justice revealed out of the 2,000-plus Native American and Alaskan Native women surveyed (who lived both on and outside of reservations), 56 per cent had experienced sexual assault and rape.  The report attributed the high rate of sexual violence to a “flawed tribal court structure, little local law enforcement, and a lack of funding.”  Native Americans often face low education levels, poor health care, substandard housing, and high rates of poverty.  Native American history has included mass killings and attempts to deprive tribes of their land, language, rituals and overall culture. In more recent years, disputes have played out in the form of cultural and legal fights over property and casinos.


naturalnews--2019-11-15--Study: Taking creatine supplements helps boost brain function in vegetarians

(Natural News) Creatine is a popular supplement for building muscles, but a new study reveals that it is also beneficial for the brain. Researchers at Stetson University in Florida found that vegetarians who take creatine supplements may enjoy better brain function. The team presented their study at the American Physiological Society’s (APS) annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2019.  Creatine, which helps build lean muscle, is stored in the muscles and brain. Aside from being produced by the body, it can also be found in red meat and seafood, as well as dairy products, in small amounts. Vegetarians and vegans, who do not consume meat and other animal products, tend to have lower creatine levels in the brain than people who eat meat. (Related: Creatine – What you want to know and much more.)  For the study, the researchers examined vegetarians alongside those who eat either up to 10 servings or 10 or more servings of beef, chicken, pork, or fish per week. Then, they randomly divided the participants into two groups. One group took a creatine supplement every day for four weeks, while the other did not. In addition, all participants took the ImPACT test, which is a widely used standardized measure of neurocognitive function, before and after the trial.  The results showed that the vegetarians scored higher on the ImPACT test than those who ate 10 or more servings of meat, poultry, or seafood each week. Meat eaters also did not show any significant improvement in brain function after supplementing with creatine because their levels of the chemical were already high.  “This is a pilot study for future research in the field of cognition, and specifically in vegetarians, as [there is] a shift to meat- and dairy-free alternatives in society,” said Kaitlyn Smith, first author of the study.  Creatine not only boosts brain function, but also protects against neurological diseases. Creatine supplements increase the muscles’ stores of phosphocreatine, which is a form of stored energy in the cells that helps the body produce more of a high-energy molecule known as ATP.  Low levels of phosphocreatine in the brain contribute to several neurological diseases. But because creatine can increase these levels, it may help reduce or slow the progression of diseases. Animal studies have showed that taking creatine supplements may help with Huntington’s disease by helping to maintain daily function and reducing cell death by nearly 25 percent. Other animal studies have suggested that taking creatine supplements may help manage other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, brain or spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, and ischemic stroke.  Creatine may also protect against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that affects motor neurons. The chemical improved motor function (mobility), reduced muscle loss, and prolonged survival rate by 17 percent.  Taking creatine supplements may also help with Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by a decline in dopamine levels. The large reduction in levels of this neurotransmitter causes brain cell death and several serious symptoms, such as loss of muscle function, speech problems, and tremors. In animal studies, creatine prevented the decrease in dopamine levels by as much as 90 percent. In human studies, taking creatine supplements together with weight training improved the strength and daily function of people with Parkinson’s to a greater extent compared with just training alone.  Is it safe to use?  In addition to the many health benefits of creatine, it is also one of the safest supplements available. It has been studied for more than 200 years, and many studies support that it is safe for long-term use. Clinical trials lasting up to five years have reported no adverse effects in healthy individuals.  Looking for other supplements to add to your regimen? Visit SupplementsReport.com to learn more.


sottnet--2019-04-22--Do vegetarians and vegans live longer than meat eaters

Do vegetarians and vegans live longer than meat eaters?

Dying from Cancer Isn't Better Than Dying from Heart Disease: Why Total Mortality Is the Most Important Endpoint in Longevity Studies  The Seventh Day Adventist Studies: The Healthy-User Bias Strikes Again!  The "Apples to Apples" Studies: What Research Comparing  to Vegetarians and Vegans Tells Us  The 45 and Up Australian Study  Meta-Analyses: What Have Reviews of Individual Studies Added?  The Mormon Studies: Another Group of "Healthy Omnivores" That Lives Longer Than the General Population  There's No Real Evidence That Vegetarians and Vegans Live Longer Than Meat Eaters  Why It's Hard to Create an Accurate Study  One of the most common claims made by advocates of vegetarian and vegan diets is that people who abstain from eating meat (vegetarians) or all animal products (vegans) live longer than meat eaters. This has been repeated so often that it's accepted as gospel-both within plant-based diet communities and amongst the general public. But is it really true? Read on to find out.In this post, I'm going to do a deep dive into the research into whether vegetarians and vegans live longer than omnivores - people who consume a mixed diet including meat. It's a long article, because I wanted to cover all of the available studies on the topic and be as thorough as possible.For the time-challenged among you, I'll spill the beans right up front: while early studies did suggest a survival advantage for vegetarians and vegans, more recent and much higher-quality evidence has foundThat's the TL;DR. Let's take a closer look at how researchers arrived at this conclusion.One of the biggest issues with studies that compare the health and longevity of vegetarians with omnivores is that they're not comparing "apples to apples."The average vegetarian tends to be more health-conscious than the average omnivore: the very fact that a person has chosen to be a vegetarian indicates that she's thinking more about her health than a "SAD omnivore" - someone following a Standard American Diet (SAD) and lifestyle.This explains why studies show that vegetarians typically engage in a healthier lifestyle overall than SAD omnivores: they smoke and drink less, are less likely to be overweight or have conditions like diabetes, have higher levels of physical activity, and eat more fruits and vegetables, among other factors. ( 1 If scientists do a study to compare lifespan between SAD omnivores and vegetarians, and they observe that vegetarians live longer, how do they know that it was abstaining from eating meat that led to that survival advantage? How do they know that it wasn't exercising more, drinking and smoking less, and/or other healthy lifestyle choices that extended the vegetarians' lives?These lifestyle factors are- more on this below - and are almost certainly responsible for the results of the few studies that did find a survival advantage in vegetarians.I discussed it in detail in a podcast called " Heart Attacks and Red Meat-Correlation or Causation? ," but here's the short version:Since eating meat has (wrongly) been perceived as unhealthy for the past five decades, people who eat less meat are less likely to smoke, drink excessively, or be overweight, and are more likely to exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, and get enough sleep. Can you see how this might cause problems?If we really want to know whether removing meat and animal products from the diet extends lifespan, we'd need to study two groups of people:A nutrivore would be someone who lives a healthy lifestyle (doesn't smoke, doesn't drink excessively, gets plenty of exercise and sleep, etc.) and consumes nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, whole foods like:To date, no studies have done this in a rigorous way. However, there are four studies that at least attempted to select a population of more health-conscious omnivores to compare against vegetarians and vegans:We also have the 45 and Up Study from Australia. While this study didn't select a healthier omnivore population, as the four studies I mentioned above did, the researchers did a much better job of controlling for confounding factors - like obesity, diabetes, smoking, drinking, and socioeconomic status - that would be likely to influence lifespan.I'm going to review these studies in more detail below. But before I do that, let's first discuss why total mortality is always the most important endpoint to consider in this kind of research.Let's say a study finds vegetarians have a 30 percent lower risk of death from heart disease than omnivores. Sounds impressive, right? This difference will be what is reported in splashy media headlines, and people scanning through their newsfeeds will come away with the idea that vegetarians do live longer than meat eaters.You'll see why this is such an important concept to understand as we review the studies below.Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) is a Protestant Christian denomination that grew out of the Millerite movement in the United States. Health has been a focus of the SDA teachings since the inception of the church in the 1860s. According to Wikipedia Interesting side note: If you think U.S. dietary guidelines are only based on science, think again. SDA, a religious group, has influenced dietary guidelines for more than 100 years. For example, Adventist Lenna Cooper co-founded the American Dietetic Association (ADA) in 1917. She was an acolyte of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, one of the founders of the breakfast cereal industry (Corn Flakes, anyone?), and she wrote textbooks and other materials that were used in dietetic and nursing programs not only in the United States, but around the world, for more than 30 years. For a fascinating look at the history of the SDA church's influence on the dietetics field and the promotion of a vegetarian diet in the U.S., see this article Three studies have been done comparing the lifespan of SDAs to the general population:I've summarized the relevant findings of each of these studies below.This study focused on 522 Dutch SDAs. Compared to omnivores, vegetarians had: ( 3 This study examined 34,198 SDAs in the United States. Compared to omnivores, vegetarians had: ( 4 In this study of 73,308 SDAs in the United States, compared to omnivores, vegetarians had: ( 5 These results certainly do seem impressive on the surface!The Adventist Netherlands study compared SDA with the general population - not nutrivores! That introduces serious potential for healthy-user bias, because the members of the SDA church engage in lifestyle behaviors - like not smoking or drinking alcohol, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting more exercise - that have been shown to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and all causes. So, we can't possibly know whether the reduction in deaths observed in this study was related to the vegetarian diet or these other causes, and thusBoth Adventist Health Studies in the United States had better study designs. They recruited both the vegetarians and non-vegetarians from the SDA population. This reduced the healthy-user bias at least somewhat, since SDA omnivores would be expected to be healthier overall than SAD omnivores.The second U.S. SDA study did a better job of controlling for confounding factors such as smoking and body mass index. But that doesn't remove the potential for confounding altogether. On the contrary, as the authors of the study observed: ( 6 To summarize:Of the three SDA studies,because they either didn't select a healthy omnivore population to compare the vegetarian groups against or because they failed to control for significant confounding factors like smoking and BMI. The third SDA study, while better than the other two,Let's turn our attention now to the studies that compare a healthier omnivore population with vegetarians and vegans.That said, these studies are at least a step in the right direction toward comparing "apples to apples," because they at least attempt to reduce the healthy-user bias.There are four studies that were designed specifically to select a healthier omnivore population and one study that did not do this but was performed using a large sample of the general population (rather than a religious group) and did a much better job controlling for confounding factors than most other studies of this type do.The Health Food Shoppers Study was a prospective cohort study of 10,736 subjects in the United Kingdom recruited between 1973 and 1979. Here's a description of how participants were recruited, directly from the study: ( 7 The idea was that omnivores who shop at health food stores, belong to health food societies, or read health food and/or SDA magazines and publications would be more health-conscious than average omnivores. This is certainly a step in the right direction in terms of the likelihood that the study results would be thrown off by the "healthy-user bias."What did the researchers find? In a 1999 analysis of the data,- not surprising given their higher level of health consciousness -. ( 8 The Oxford Vegetarians Study was a prospective cohort study of 11,045 subjects from the United Kingdom recruited between 1980 and 1984. ( 9 ) The researchers recruited vegetarians first through the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom. They then asked the vegetarians to invite friends and relatives who consumed animal products, with the assumption that the omnivorous friends of vegetarians are likely to be healthier than the general population of omnivores.As in the Health Food Shoppers Study, both vegetarians and health-conscious omnivores had lower risk of early death than the general population,The EPIC-Oxford Cohort is a component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition and included 44,561 participants from the United Kingdom recruited between 2002 and 2007, with a follow-up in 2009. ( 10 ) They used the same method as recruiting participants as the Oxford Vegetarians Study mentioned above.In this study, researchers found that- similar to findings from the two studies above. However, there wasThe Heidelberg Study was a prospective cohort study of 1,904 subjects from Germany recruited between 1976 and 1999. ( 11 ) They used a similar method for recruiting to that of the Oxford Vegetarian Study and the EPIC-Oxford Cohort: participants were recruited from readers of vegetarian magazines in Germany using a short questionnaire, and the vegetarians that agreed to participate were asked to invite family members that ate meat.We'll discuss the contribution of non-dietary factors to lifespan in more detail below.The 45 and Up Study is a longitudinal study that followed 243,096 participants in New South Wales, Australia, for six years. At baseline, the vegetarians in the study were:As you now understand, these significant lifestyle differences between the vegetarians and the omnivores in the study introduce huge potential for the healthy-user bias. However, the study authors were aware of this and mentioned the shortcomings of previous research (like the SDA studies) in this regard:This awareness of the high risk of bias in observational nutrition research is likely what led them to pay much more attention to confounding factors than other, similar studies. They controlled for age, gender, education, marital status, geographic remoteness, SEIFA (Socio-Economic Index for Area, a census-based ecologic measure of socio-economic disadvantage), smoking status, physical activity, alcohol intake, and comorbidities including cancer, hypertension, and cardiometabolic disease (CMD), which includes type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.While this doesn't completely eliminate the healthy-user bias, it does at least reduce it. What were the results?This finding is especially notable because the study had such a large sample size (around 250,000 participants). Because vegetarianism is relatively rare, a large sample size with sufficient numbers of vegetarians and different variations of vegetarian diets makes the results more likely to be accurate.There have been two meta-analyses (comprehensive reviews) of individual studies comparing mortality in vegetarians and omnivores, including all of the studies discussed above.The first was done in 2014. ( 13 ) It foundWhat's more, it concluded that any benefit observed in previous analyses for vegetarian diets was driven by the SDA studies, which, as we've seen, suffer from multiple confounding factors that weren't adequately controlled for:The study authors suggested several possibilities for why the SDA studies showed a difference in mortality whereas the other studies did not. The SDA diet is characterized by higher intake of fruits and vegetables compared with typical omnivores, and regular SDA churchgoers are more likely to abstain from smoking, have good health practices, and stay married (all of which contribute to longevity in other studies). In addition, they are advised to get sufficient rest, exercise regularly, and maintain healthy relationships. All of these differences explain why the findings from the SDA studies are not generalizable to the wider population.The second meta-analysis was published in 2017 and reviewed 96 studies. ( 14 ) Although they found slight relative reductions in death from heart disease and cancer in vegetarians and vegans compared with omnivores,In the discussion section, the authors remark that the modest reductions in risk factors like BMI, glucose, and cholesterol observed among vegetarians and vegans need to be taken with a grain of salt:They also suggested that virtually all studies that claim to find health benefits from a vegetarian diet are highly subject to the healthy-user bias:As we've learned, the findings from the SDA studies aren't generalizable to the wider population because Adventists engage in many behaviors independent of their diet that could contribute to a longer lifespan, such as:What if there were another population we could study that also engaged in these healthy lifestyle practices but followed an omnivorous diet? If such a population also enjoyed better health and a longer lifespan than the general population, that would beWell, turns out there is a population like this: Mormons. Religiously active Mormons practice a healthy lifestyle, which includes:All of these factors have been associated with reduced risk of disease and extended lifespan in other studies.There have been three studies that examined theof Mormons to assess lifespan. The SMR is the ratio of deaths in a particular group compared to the general population. It can be expressed as a ratio (e.g., 0.75) or a percentage (e.g., 75 percent). If the SMR of a group studied is 75 percent, that means their death rate is 25 percent lower than the death rate in the general population.Here are the results of the three studies:This means that, across these three studies, Mormons had a significantly longer lifespan than their counterparts in the general population.Here's what we can conclude based on the existing research:It's also worth noting that. Although the methods used in the "apples to apples" studies mentioned above are better than the SDA and most observational studies, they're far from perfect.These studies recruited subjects who either shop at health food stores or read certain magazines or are friends or family members of vegetarians and vegans. But is that a really a reliable method for selecting a healthy omnivorous population?A truly accurate comparison of health-conscious omnivores and vegetarians would require a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) that lasts for at least 25-30 years, locks people up in a metabolic ward, and tightly controls their diet, exercise, sleep, alcohol intake, smoking, and other relevant lifestyle factors so that the only variable that differs between the two groups is whether they consume meat. This will never happen as it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars (who's going to pay for that?) and they'd never find people willing to do it.In the meantime, what's a concerned person to do? Since modern nutrition research is not sufficient to answer this question, we need to rely on other lines of evidence. For example, what is the natural, human diet ? What do studies say about the nutrient density of meat and other animal products ? What do RCTs tell us about a Paleo diet - a whole-foods, nutrient-dense diet that emphasizes fresh, whole vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, and starchy plants, but also includes animal products?I've addressed many of these topics elsewhere on my blog, podcast, and in my first book, The Paleo Cure , and I'll be revisiting them soon. For now, you can start with the links in the paragraph above and simply focus on all of the things we know are important from an ancestral health perspective:I hope you've enjoyed this article and that it has helped to clear up some of the confusion on this topic.*The term "nutrivore" comes from Dr. Sarah Ballantyne of The Paleo Mom


naturalnews--2019-01-15--Assessing the long-term health of vegetarians and vegans and their risk of certain conditions and di

Assessing the long-term health of vegetarians and vegans and their risk of certain conditions and diseases

(Natural News) Researchers from the University of Oxford revealed that becoming a vegetarian or vegan has significant long-term health benefits. This finding, which was published in the journal Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, was based on the results of western studies involving a high portion of vegetarian participants.  Overall, the results of this study show that following a vegetarian or vegan diet has long-term health benefits, as shown by the reduced risk of certain diseases and medical conditions.  The full text of the study is available at this link.  For more articles on the benefits of becoming a vegetarian, visit Veggie.news.  Appleby PN, Key TJ. THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 28 December 2015;75(03). DOI: 10.1017/s0029665115004334


sottnet--2019-09-05--Study shows vegans and vegetarians may have higher risk of stroke than meat eaters

An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.


thesun--2019-09-04--Vegetarians and vegans are 20 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke study finds

Vegetarians and vegans are 20 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke, study finds

VEGGIES and vegans are 20 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke, a study found.  Experts said a plant-based diet may be deficient in protective fats and vitamins.  Their research showed non-meat eaters were vulnerable to haemorrhagic strokes — when blood vessels burst in the brain.  But they were found to be 22 per cent less likely to suffer from heart disease overall. Fish eaters also had a 13 per cent lower risk of heart problems.  Meat eaters were more likely to suffer heart disease, with experts warning regular consumers were likely to be fatter, have high blood pressure and cholesterol and diabetes issues. The popularity of meat-free diets is on the rise, with 1.7million Brits now veggie or vegan.  Oxford University followed nearly 50,000 adults for 18 years.  They found vegetarians and vegans had lower levels of vitamin B12 and cholesterol.  A lack of B12, found in animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy, has been linked with increased stroke risk. And very low levels of cholesterol may affect blood vessels. The study concluded: “Overall vegetarians had higher risks of stroke.”  TAKING up yoga is a life-saver after a heart attack, a study shows. The discipline was found to cut the chance of dying in the following five years by a sixth. Its gentle movements and breathing exercises help boost circulation and strengthen the heart, researchers say. The findings come from an Indian study of 2,470 patients who had stents fitted to improve blood flow after a major heart attack. They were presented to the European Society of Cardiology in Paris.  Every year 150,000 Brits suffer a stroke, where a clot or internal bleeding cuts off the blood supply to the brain.  Oxford’s Dr Tammy Tong said more research is needed before changing diet guidelines.  And Cambridge University’s Dr Stephen Burgess said: “This suggests taking up a vegetarian diet may not be universally beneficial for all health outcomes.”


birminghammail--2019-01-31--Plan to build 65 apartments for the elderly on site of Lichfields Guardian House

Plan to build 65 apartments for the elderly on site of Lichfield's Guardian House

PLANS to demolish Lichfield’s Guardian House and build accommodation for older people in its place have been lodged with the district council.  The building on Birmingham Road, which houses Lichfield Job Centre, has been identified for development by builders McCarthy & Stone which plans to build an Extra Care facility featuring 65 apartments along with communal gardens and features including a restaurant, function room and a car park with 36 spaces.  McCarthy & Stone are making the application as a joint venture with Somerset Care as Yourlife Management Services Ltd.  They point to the need for Extra Care accommodation, that it is “critical given the projected increase in the number of people aged 65 and over accounts for over half all new households”.  In its planning statement the applicant says: “The Extra Care concept enables the frail elderly to buy in care packages to suit their needs as these change over time rather than pay the fixed costs of a nursing or residential care home with its one for all approach.  “It provides further choice for the frail elderly in tailoring their care provision during the ageing process, allowing them to stay in their own ‘home’ within this specialised accommodation, maintaining a better sense of independence and enhancing their personal welfare.  “Older people account for 55 per cent of GP appointments, 68 per cent of outpatient appointments and 77 per cent of inpatient bed stays.  “As well as achieving better outcomes, specialist housing reduces demand for these acute health and care services by supporting people to live independently and avoiding crisis intervention.  “Research shows that each year a resident postpones moving into public care by living in private accommodation, the local authority saves on average £28,080.”  The applicant says the location means residents will benefit from “excellent accessibility” to the city centre.  The proposal includes a homeowners’ lounge; a restaurant which will provide freshly prepared meals every day of the year and a function room where guests may hold private parties for friends and relatives.  In addition the site will have a communal laundry, a guest suite where visitors may stay and a mobility scooter storage room.  Guardian House, which was built in the 1960s, has been under-occupied in recent years and has failed to attract occupation of the majority of its space, which has remained vacant.  The planning statement adds: “The building is dated and below modern standards for office space which has contributed to the lack of interest.  “Significant works would be required to improve the office space to closer to that which modern office space offers.  “The removal of the under-used and sub-standard space to be replaced with high-quality Extra Care accommodation is a logical redevelopment.”


breitbart--2019-12-17--Pope Francis Urges Elderly to Volunteer as Cure for Loneliness

ROME — Pope Francis told senior workers Monday that the world’s future rests on a dialogue between young and old, while urging the elderly to engage in volunteer work to as a remedy for loneliness.  Elderly people “should not be considered as a burden, but for what they really are, that is, a resource and a wealth. They are the memory of a people!”, the pope told representatives of the Italian National Association of Senior Workers meeting in the Vatican.  “This is demonstrated by their contribution to voluntary activities, precious opportunities to live the dimension of gratuitousness,” Francis continued, suggesting that such work offers a series of benefits.  “Healthy elderly people can offer a few hours of their time to care for people in need, thus enriching themselves,” he said. “Volunteering is an experience that is good for both those who receive it and those who do it.”  The pontiff also proposed that keeping busy, or “active aging,” helps keep the mind fresh while staving off loneliness.  “Commitment to others can counteract the perception of loneliness, improve cognitive performance and increase mental well-being,” he said. “In other words, engaging in volunteering promotes what is called ‘active aging,’ helping to improve the quality of life once important dimensions of one’s identity are no longer present, such as the role of parents or the professional role after retirement.”  Recent growth of the presence of the elderly in volunteering and associations is an “optimal ground” for the living an active seniority, he said, while also allowing seniors to be effective agents of solidarity.  As much as possible, the elderly must continue as “active actors and not only the recipients of welfare interventions,” he said.  Seniors have much to give to the young, the pope insisted, returning to a recurring theme of his pontificate, that of “inter-generational solidarity.”  The dreams of the elderly are “imbued with memory,” he said, and therefore “fundamental for the journey of the young, because they are the roots. From the elderly comes that sap that makes the tree grow, makes it bloom, gives new fruits.”  “The future of a people necessarily presupposes a dialogue and an encounter between the elderly and the young for the construction of a society that is more just, more beautiful, more supportive, more Christian,” he insisted.  This cooperation is reciprocal, he suggested, with each generation providing its particular gifts.  “Young people are the strength of a people’s journey and the elderly strengthen this further with their memory and wisdom,” he said, and grandparents in particular “are entrusted with a great task: to transmit the experience of life, the history of a family, a community, a people.”  Francis also said it is critical to overcome traditional stereotypes of the elderly as “sick, disabled, dependent, isolated, besieged by fears, left aside, with a weak identity for the loss of a social role” as well as an exaggerated focus on the “costs and risks” of old age rather than “the resources and potential of the elderly.”  While young people are “frequently discarded because they do not have a job,” he said, the elderly “are discarded with the pretense of maintaining a ‘balanced’ economic system, at the centre of which there is not the human person, but money.”  “We are all called upon to counter this poisonous throwaway culture,” he said. “We are called to build with tenacity a different society, more welcoming, more human, more inclusive, which does not need to discard those who are weak in body and mind, rather, a society that measures its ‘pace’ precisely by these people.”  What is needed instead is more solidarity and mutual appreciation he said, because the reality is that the future “will be in the dialogue between young and old.”  “If grandparents do not dialogue with grandchildren, there will be no future,” he declared.


dailyheraldchicago--2019-12-02--Report paints dire picture of services for disabled and elderly transit riders

People with disabilities and the elderly are often "stranded and isolated" in their homes because of meager transit options, a Metropolitan Planning Council report finds.  Streets without sidewalks, a shortage of buses, missing ramps, and inaudible announcements number are among the roadblocks to mobility, explains the study released Monday.  "Transportation choices are severely limited for those who need them most," MPC President MarySue Barrett noted in "Toward Universal Mobility."  MPC leaders recommend creating a regional mobility coordinator to bring together transit providers for disabled riders and reconfiguring Dial-A-Ride services in the collar counties to increase service. It also suggests the Regional Transportation Authority consider offering a trip adviser program for people who can't drive.  The region currently has a patchwork of transit, paratransit and dial-a-ride services across the city and suburbs -- robust in some municipalities and nonexistent in others. Hours that buses and vans operate, who is eligible for rides, and how much fares cost depends on where you live.  "Getting around using these systems ranges from fairly reliable and affordable to maddeningly frustrating and expensive," the report stated.  That's a significant dilemma considering the aging population. In 11 years, all Baby Boomers will be older than 65, meaning 20% of Americans will be of retirement age, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  In the metro region, 7% of adults between 18 and 64 have disabilities as do 33% of people older than 65, MPC found.  The report includes profiles on riders, including Cathy Garcia of Des Plaines, who has an intellectual disability and works in Morton Grove.  Garcia uses Pace buses and paratransit but finds the latter is sometimes "challenging because it's less predictable. Sometimes it comes really early and sometimes it comes late," she said.  Pace spokeswoman Maggie Daly Skogsbakken said the agency is working on improvements to its ADA Paratransit Services with a financial boost from the state capital program.  A total of "$20 million was earmarked for investments in our communications technology and transfer locations," she said.


drudgereport--2019-12-18--Urges Elderly to Volunteer as Remedy for Loneliness...


eveningstandard--2019-06-17--How can we protect an elderly relative from property fraud

How can we protect an elderly relative from property fraud?

Question: We have heard about property fraud and are worried about my elderly aunt, who seems very vulnerable. She lives alone since her husband died and has no family now apart from us. She loves chatting to people and is trusting of just about everyone — we can imagine someone selling her house or mortgaging it without her realising.  Are we right in thinking we may be able to do something through the Land Registry to protect her property?  Answer: There are options available to you. As the registered proprietor of her home your aunt’s name and address will appear in the Land Registry Proprietorship Register under the title number that relates to her property.  When serving any notices relating to the property, the Land Registry will use that address. It is possible to register three addresses for each registered property, one of which may be an email address.  Your aunt could give your address or email address so that you would receive and be aware of notices sent to her by the Land Registry.  She could also sign up to the Land Registry’s Property Alert service.  This free monitoring service will ensure she is alerted if anyone tries to have any dealings with her property, for example, if there is any attempt to mortgage it. You or your aunt could then take appropriate action.  She could also apply to have a restriction on her home preventing the Land Registry from registering a sale or mortgage against it without a solicitor or conveyancer signing a certificate to confirm the application was made by her as the registered proprietor.  These answers can only be a very brief commentary on the issues raised and should not be relied on as legal advice. No liability is accepted for such reliance. If you have similar issues, you should obtain advice from a solicitor.  If you have a question for Fiona McNulty, email legalsolutions@standard.co.uk or write to Legal Solutions, Homes & Property, Evening Standard, 2 Derry Street, W8 5EE. Questions cannot be answered individually, but we will try to feature them here.


liveaction--2019-09-16--Euthanasia organization tells elderly theyll have a bad death without assisted suicide

Euthanasia organization tells elderly they’ll have a ‘bad death’ without assisted suicide

As assisted suicide organizations continue to mobilize across the globe, their tactics are becoming more and more despicable. In Scotland, euthanasia groups are working to convince lawmakers to legalize assisted suicide, and one of their tactics appears to be attempting to scare people into it.  Dignity in Dying Scotland launched a new report, “The Inescapable Truth,” along with a video, which claims that 17 people each day will die a “bad death” as they suffer. The highly manipulative video shows a mother explaining her father’s death in hospice to her young son, interspersed with shots of the elderly man writhing in pain on the bed, begging to “make it stop,” while his relatives sob at his bedside. The video closes with a warning that 17 people suffer this way every day, and direct viewers to “help us end the suffering.”  Unsurprisingly, this campaign has been roundly criticized by both opponents of assisted suicide and hospice workers. Carole Walford and Tracey Bleakley, chief clinical officer and chief executive officer of Hospice UK, responded with an open letter slamming the video. “It [the video] is misleading and irresponsible. It plays on peoples [sic] anxiety and fear about the end of life, and amplifies these in a picture of ‘care’ that is highly inaccurate and distressing,” the letter read, adding, “This short film is, by no means an accurate portrayal of hospice care.”  Walford and Bleakley then asked for the video to be taken down, concluding, “When misleading information is posted online that purports to show hospice care as a frightening experience, we have to speak out. We have spent decades reassuring the public that hospice care should not be feared and much can be gained from using hospice and palliative care services.”  The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Scotland likewise criticized the fear-mongering in the report. “Scare-mongering is a tactic of assisted suicide advocates,” Michael Robinson, SPUC Scotland Director of Communications, said, adding:  Scaring people to support suicide is a desperate measure with dire consequences as we have seen around the world. Suicide leads to worse conditions for patients and creates momentum for widening the categories of those who are made to feel they should choose to die.  We need to ensure we do not become one of the countries where the weak, sick and elderly feel they have a duty to die. Palliative care is the answer to concerns about suffering, yet assisted suicide undermines palliative care by proposing a cheap alternative which undermines human dignity.  Despite the scare tactics used by euthanasia activists, what should be feared is assisted suicide itself. Though Dignity in Dying Scotland portrays euthanasia as necessary for people to avoid pain, this is not why people often choose to die. Multiple studies, from medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine and the British Medical Journal, have found that people seek assisted suicide because they’re frequently hopeless, depressed, and afraid of being a burden on their loved ones. They don’t seek assisted suicide because they’re afraid of a painful death. When the underlying issues are addressed, such as treatment for depression, the request to die is often withdrawn.  Suicide is not something to be accommodated just because someone is elderly, sick, or disabled. For any young and able-bodied person, suicide is a horrific tragedy to be avoided and prevented at all costs. Why, then, is it suddenly acceptable just because someone is ill? Every life has value, no matter what, and assisted suicide undermines that, at the expense of the most vulnerable people among us.  “Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!