Health & Wellbeing

Over-40s are increasingly looking to improve their physical health but their financial security is less of a priority, according to new research by life and pensions giant Prudential.

Its nationwide study of working over-40s shows more than two-fifths (44 per cent) have recently started focusing on improving their physical health but improving their future financial security is receiving less attention with only 34 per cent saying that turning 40 has spurred them on to sort out their retirement.

Additionally, 58 per cent admit they rarely or never check the value of their retirement savings. Even those aged 55 to 64 do not pay much attention to their pensions with 60 per cent admitting they seldom look at their savings.

In support of world-class festival of cycling, Prudential RideLondon, taking place between 28 and 30 July, Prudential conducted the study to highlight the need for the over-40s to take small steps to achieve bigger goals.

As part of its sponsorship of the event, Prudential is supporting the Fixing Challenge building on the success of the TV documentary Fixing Dad, where filmmakers Anthony and Ian Whitington helped their dad Geoff regain his health and reverse his type 2 diabetes through significant changes to his diet and lifestyle. The Fixing Challenge is mentoring four riders in this year’s event, all of whom are over the age of 40 and have committed to taking steps to improving their future physical health.

The research shows plenty of good intentions among those aged 40-plus with 81 per cent saying physical health is a major priority while 69 per cent claim that planning for retirement is a major focus.

Leading charity Diabetes UK is appealing to people across the Midlands to help with this exciting new project, to change the future of diabetes.

"We are asking people to take part in an online survey, to help us really understand what really matters to people with diabetes."

Peter Shorrick, Diabetes UK Midlands regional head, said:  “At a time when diabetes is high on everyone’s agenda, this insight will tell us about the issues that people with diabetes face in their day-to-day lives. That way we can make sure we are focusing on the things that really matter, and can use this to make changes where it really counts.”

Diabetes is one of the UK’s biggest health crises, and it’s on the rise. Some 4.5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, and 11.9 million in the UK are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  Its impact and complications can be devastating, causing blindness, amputations, even early death.

Here in the Midlands more than 620,000 people are living with diabetes and it is estimated that around one million people in the region are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The online survey, along with some face to face conversations, will explore all sorts of areas where diabetes can have an impact - from healthcare services and medication, to how living with the condition can affect relationships and work and school life.

Peter Shorrick, added: “We want to know the challenges people face and hear their ideas about what needs to change. Diabetes is a serious condition, so we need as many people as possible to share their knowledge, experience and ideas to help us tackle the diabetes crisis together by improving healthcare and preventing more people from developing Type 2 diabetes this potentially fatal condition.”

The team at Diabetes UK will compile the findings from all the conversations along with the results of their survey into a report that can influence decisions makers including government and health care providers.

Make sure you don’t miss out on having your say, by completing the Future of Diabetes online survey at www.diabetes.org.uk/future-diabetes by 31 August 2017.

Public Health England (PHE) has published a milestone report into the health of the population in England. The Health Profile for England report is the first time PHE has used its wealth of population health data to give an overall picture of the health of England.

People are living longer than ever – life expectancy in England has now reached 79.5 for males and 83.1 for females. However, much of the extra time is spent in poor health.

A major theme of the Health Profile for England report is health inequalities; we are simultaneously publishing a focused report examining health inequalities between different population groups. In the richest areas, people enjoy nearly 20 more years in good health than people in the poorest areas.

The Health Profile for England report covers life expectancy; major causes of death; morbidity trends; European comparisons; inequality in health; social determinants of health; and current health protection issues.

Some of the report’s more notable findings include:

• Life expectancy has increased more than years in good health and therefore the number of years lived in poor health has also increased
• Diabetes makes the top 10 causes of ill-health and disability (morbidity) for the first time
• The two biggest risk factors behind levels of ill health are excess weight and high blood sugar
• Lower back and neck pain are the biggest causes of ill health
• While deaths from heart disease and stroke have halved since 2001, it’s still the biggest killer of men. For women, it’s Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England said: “Good public health is not defined by health policy alone. Our health profiles show a high-quality education, a well-designed and warm home, a good job and a community to belong to are just as important.

“The more we consider the impact of all policies on population health, the sooner we can focus on preventing poor health instead of only dealing with its consequences, especially for those from the most deprived communities.”

Sexual health services will be available online and in local pharmacies under changes to further improve quality and offer more convenient, easier to use services.

Improvements to sexual health services in Haringey and across London will see information, advice, testing and treatment for a range of conditions available online 24 hours a day, as well as a host of services at clinics, pharmacies and GP practices.

The first wave of changes, from early July, will see new sexual health provider Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) take on services for Haringey residents. For young people aged under-25, contraception and STI screening will be available at community clinics in the borough.

For over-25s, state-of-the art facilities for sexual health testing and treatment will be available at the highly rated Archway Clinic and Mortimer Market Centre in Islington and Camden, or at North Middlesex Hospital.

A team of 32 Haringey pharmacies will bolster local services by supplying free condoms, emergency contraception, STI testing and, in some locations, instant HIV testing. In addition, local charity Embrace UK will offer community-based STI testing and free condoms, while 18 local GP practices will offer long term reversible contraception such as IUDs and injections.

Once the new services are up and running, sexual health treatments at St Ann’s hospital, Tynemouth Road Health Centre and Hornsey Central Health Centre will stop – but there will be no gaps in provision while the current service is phased out and the new one implemented.

The new CNWL provision will be followed by the launch of a pan-London online service offering advice, information and access to STI testing.

The changes are part of a London-wide drive to improve quality, further reduce rates of STIs and teenage pregnancies and provide sexual health services that are easy to use and fit in with modern lifestyles – with longer opening hours and reduced waiting times. Haringey, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Barnet and the City of London have joined forces to underline their commitment to delivering better sexual health services across the city.

Cllr Jason Arthur, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Finance and Health, said:

Teaming up with other boroughs allows us to deliver a modern service that better fits people’s lifestyles, where they want the convenience of online and discreet local services alongside access to specialist services when necessary.

“Offering so many sexual health services online and through local pharmacies means more people will be able to access the support they need, when they need it, in a way that is convenient to them – and without any need to feel sheepish about asking for help.

“We’re delighted that rates of sexually transmitted illnesses are falling in Haringey, but we’re determined to do even more and to offer high-quality services that are quick and easy to use and meet local demand.”

Health and fitness were top of the agenda at the One You Haringey Health Day at Chestnuts Park.

Residents were introduced to a range of free health services available in the borough and invited to sign up to the One You service, which offers support to lead healthier and happier lives.

Throughout the day, members of the public were able to learn about health and fitness as well as take part in a number of activities including football training, a tennis taster session, and a boot camp style exercise class.

The community event on Saturday, July 1, also featured stalls from many local services such as Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Haringey Walks, Haringey Recovery, stART Haringey, Haringey Advice & Shine Haringey.

Commissioned by Haringey Council, One You Haringey is delivered by health and wellbeing experts Reed Momenta.

Sabrina Kerr, Health & Wellbeing Manager at Reed Momenta, said: “One You Haringey would like to thank all the residents that came along to the Health Day.

“It was nice to see so many resident taking the first step to making a change by getting involved with the activities available on the day, and speaking with the One You team about making small but significant changes to their lifestyle.

“We will continue to work with the community and the residents of Haringey to make Haringey Healthier.”

Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Finance and Health, Cllr Jason Arthur, said: “One You Haringey gives residents support to take control of issues that can be damaging to their health. It was great to be at the Health Day and get a taste of all the different activities and support on offer in the borough. One You is all about making the right help available and encouraging people to make valuable, and potentially life-saving changes.”

Anyone who signs up to One You Haringey can access a range of free One You health services, including: a 12 week weight management course; physical activity sessions; support in reducing alcohol intake and stopping smoking; and – for participants aged 40-74 – free NHS health checks to help reduce the risk of developing avoidable health problems. The programme focuses on helping people to make better choices in a friendly and supportive environment.

Researchers from the Aga Khan University are set to conduct a range of capacity building workshops aimed at improving the efficiency of the immunization programmes of low and middle income countries.

The capacity building sessions are part of the global Teaching Vaccine Economics Everywhere (TVEE) programme – managed by Johns Hopkins University and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – which aims to boost the financial sustainability, resource allocation practices and evaluation of vaccination systems.

The University will act as a regional partner on the TVEE by training policymakers and implementing agencies in Afghanistan and Pakistan on how to adopt global best practices to their programmes. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation estimates that a US$ 1 investment in childhood vaccinations reaps up to US$ 44 in economic benefits. But even though vaccines are considered a global health best-buy with long-lasting social benefits, many business schools and public health institutions developing countries do not offer such courses.

“Vaccines save over 2 million lives a year and represent one of the most cost-effective ways to protect children and adults from disease . Our goal is to equip policy makers with the knowledge and skills to make the best use of their resources and thereby sustainably improve the performance and financing of their immunization programmes,” stated Dr Shehla Zaidi, associate professor in Community Health Sciences and the Department of Women and Child Health at AKU.

The workshops are set to begin in July 2017 in Boston. This will be followed by three further specialised sessions which will take place in Karachi with the programme concluding in August 2018. The TVEE represents a part of the University’s efforts to support Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals which call for countries around the world to ensure the availability of safe, effective, quality and affordable vaccinations for all.

The evidence base on milk and dairy and its relationship with lifelong health has shifted significantly over the past decade, according to leading nutritionists.

Speaking at ‘Dairy & Health: The Evidence Explained’ in Birmingham today, nutritionists confronted the milk myths and outlined the positive role that milk and dairy foods can play with regards to heart health, type 2 diabetes, obesity and healthy ageing.

Delegates were told that despite its saturated fat content, milk and dairy foods have shown no significant association with the risk of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Some studies have even shown protective effects.

Nutritionists also outlined that, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, milk and dairy has no negative effects on body weight or body fatness, and may actually help to break the obesity cycle.

Dr Anne Mullen, director of nutrition at The Dairy Council, said: “Milk and dairy foods are often targeted in public health campaigns to tackle obesity, but the latest research challenges this.

“For example, we now know that body weight and fatness is not associated with children who consume higher than average amounts of dairy, including those who drink whole milk as opposed to low-fat products. We also have seen that in adults, consuming dairy as part of a calorie restricted diet can actually aid body fat loss.

“The calcium and protein in dairy may help in making us feel full and delay our desire to eat, and the calcium may also reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed in the gut.”

The nutritionists also outlined that dietary protein, particularly the type of protein found in dairy, is important for ageing muscles. Age-related malnutrition is a growing problem in the UK, and the proteins and amino acids contained in milk and dairy, such as whey and leucine, can help with the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.

Dr Leigh Breen, senior lecturer in exercise physiology and metabolism at The University of Birmingham, said: “With the UK’s ageing population, we need to be aware of how our diets can help our muscles us as we get older. Dairy foods are nutrient-rich sources of protein and research suggests that dairy protein may have a role in mitigating loss of muscle function in older people.”

Dr Mullen added: “Milk and dairy matters at all stages of life and can help in addressing a number of public health concerns. Whether it’s the heart, type 2 diabetes, obesity or ageing healthily that is of concern, dairy can play an important role in your lifelong health.

“The role of milk and dairy foods in leading a healthy balanced diet is all too often misunderstood, and it’s important we clear up the confusion and confront the myths. The evidence on milk and dairy is well-substantiated, and it’s gathering strength.”

The seminar was held in The Studio in Birmingham. The conference is part of a month-long roadshow series organised by The Dairy Council and will be held in cities across the UK throughout June to provide the latest evidence-based information for health writers and health professionals. All seminars in this series are CPD endorsed by The Association for Nutrition and have been backed by AHDB Dairy.

The seminar series will draw upon some of the hottest topics in dairy and health, including dairy’s relationship with cardiometabolic health, obesity and healthy ageing (muscle and bone health).

Birmingham based private GP, Edgbaston Private Medical Practice, will be supporting and generating awareness for the national campaign Men’s Health Week (12^th – 18^th June) by offering free drop-in mini health check sessions for men at 200 Degrees coffee shop, based on Colmore Row.

The mini health check sessions will take place on Wednesday 14^th and Thursday 15^th of June between 11:30am and 2:00pm. The practice is also offering 10% off all men’s health screenings booked during the month of June.

Men’s Health Week is a national campaign that runs annually, encouraging communities to come together to improve and maintain the health of men, boys, and their families. This year, the awareness week will focus on cardiovascular disease, which is an umbrella term describing all diseases of the heart and circulation. In 2015 alone 160,000 people were killed from cardiovascular disease complications, which is more than double the combined deaths from lung, bowel, prostate and breast cancer. Although cardiovascular disease affects both sexes, the incidence is not only higher in men but often affects men at a younger age.

Important risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. By spotting the signs early the risk of developing cardiovascular disease can be dramatically reduced.

Dr Bahia, Principal GP at Edgbaston Private Medical Practice, comments: “For Men’s Health Week we really want to make a difference, we thought of having the free pop-up drop-in service so that we could get through and see as many men as possible, encouraging the early detection and treatment of health difficulties. Our aim is to urge men to make their health a priority.”

Communities will be walking 26 miles to raise money for basic care provisions for the homeless in the streets of London. Funds raised will enable ‘Nishkam S.W.A.T.’ to purchase a vehicle for a mobile doctor and dentist surgery, helping support the displaced and provide immediate care at a tactical level.

Research shows that in the UK, the widespread ill health of the homeless community is often left undiagnosed, leading to long-term issues and complications. Considering the resource challenges faced by the wider NHS, the homeless are often left to experience some of the worst health problems in society.

It is documented that 73% of homeless people live with a health condition and 45% with a long term condition, compared to just 28% of the general population.

Dentist, Dr Gaurav Obhrai said: “A mobile dentist is a fantastic way to get healthcare out to the most vulnerable. Evidence shows there are many associated health problems that are exacerbated by poor dental health. Not only this, it affects self-esteem, which is essential to getting back on your feet after sleeping rough.

Providing this service will allow us to diagnose medical conditions with basic oral examinations, helping improve the quality of life and future prospects.”

Nishkam S.W.A.T. Global Operations Director, Randeep Singh, said: “We have been doing street walks for some time now and got a real insight into the needs of the homeless. In fact, you can say ‘we are going from walking with to walking for the homeless.

I am confident that with a mobile unit we will be able to make a measurable difference. I would encourage everyone to join in and get involved.”

On Saturday July 8, fundraisers will walk from Southall to Piccadilly Circus and return again to complete 26 miles - taking approximately 12 hours - and will include refreshments and a vegetarian lunch for all involved.

To find out more, visit: bit.ly/swatwalk17

Generous City of Wolverhampton Council staff raised £500 for the Alzheimer's Society by donning denim for the day.

Numerous council employees wore jeans to work on Denim for Dementia Day, Friday 19 May, and in doing so collected £500.14 which was presented to the West Midlands branch of the Alzheimer's Society last week.

The denim day marked the culmination of a series of events in the City to mark Dementia Awareness Week 2017, the highlight of which was a very successful United Against Dementia awareness raising event at the Bob Jones Community Hub.

It was attended by more than 100 people and highlighted the support available to the estimated 3,300 residents living with dementia in Wolverhampton, as well as the help on hand to their families, friends and carers.

City of Wolverhampton Council commissioner Sue Eagle, who helped organise the week-long programme, said: "The aim of Dementia Awareness Week was to raise awareness of this cruel condition, to make people aware of the help and support which is available to them locally, and to highlight some of the simple steps people can take to make life easier for people living with dementia.

“We had a fantastic response from providers, staff and the local community to the various events which we staged throughout the week, and I would like to thank everyone who was involved in one way or another.

“In particular, I would like to thank everyone who took part in the Denim for Dementia day, and in doing so helped raise £500 for the Black Country branch of the Alzheimer's Society."

Lee Allen from the Black Country branch of the Alzheimer’s Society said: “Dementia Awareness Week was a great opportunity for us all to unite together and showcase what services and support is available within Wolverhampton.”

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe many different types of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies.

Cases of dementia increase with age It can affect anyone, and causes a decline in a person's cognitive abilities, affecting their memory, language, understanding, reasoning, problem solving and concentration. Each person's dementia is unique and so affects their lives in very different ways.

Natalie Stokes, a 33 year-old single mother of one from Studley in Warwickshire is desperate to raise awareness of the debilitating condition which took her eight years to get diagnosed.

Natalie put on ten stone in weight in a mere two years, transforming her from an active twenty-something with a passion for horses and the great outdoors, to  a 26-stone woman who struggled to get out of bed.

Although Natalie made multiple visits to her GP, the rarity of the condition meant that she struggled to receive an accurate diagnosis.

After years of being misdiagnosed, Natalie was referred to a specialist, based in Worcester, who gave her a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease.

Cushing’s disease is caused by a small benign tumour on the pituitary gland in the brain, which controls the amount and types of hormones released into the body.

Natalie explained: “For the first time I felt listened to. I felt relieved to be ill.”

Unfortunately, the disease not only affected Natalie physically but it also had a serious impact on her mental wellbeing.

“I felt a heaviness inside, I became severely anxious and would often have panic attacks. I became paranoid that people were judging me because of my size, and the way I looked.”

Throughout this initial period of illness, Natalie was training to become a counsellor but sadly the effects of the disease on her energy meant that she was unable to qualify, despite being top of her class.

“I am active on forums for people with Cushing’s disease and I feel that my counselling training has helped me to come to terms with it, and to offer advice to others who perhaps aren’t yet at the same stage.”

When discussing her son, Charlie, aged five Natalie said: “He is so loving, so helpful, he wants to help me, but I know it is important to let him be a child. Luckily we have my mum to support us, but she is also a full-time carer for my dad who has Parkinson’s Disease. Life can be challenging at times, but we are a close family who are always there for each other.”

In 2016, Natalie began her treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), having major surgery to reduce the size of her tumour. Surgeons accessed the tumour via a large cut made in the back of the nose.

One year on from the surgery Natalie said: “Since having the operation, I’ve lost nine stone. It’s made a big difference to my quality of life.”

Now, Natalie is backing the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity’s plea to support research into pituitary illness. The Charity funds research into the condition, conducted by University of Birmingham Researcher Niki Karavitaki. The Charity also funds regular support groups for patients with pituitary illnesses.

Niki said: “We are really grateful to QEHB Charity for supporting our research into patients with pituitary illness. The more research we are able to carry out means patients with pituitary illnesses can be diagnosed and treated much quicker.”

Natalie added: “I am by no means out of the woods yet, and still suffer the effects of this disease on a daily basis, but I hope that with the support from specialists at QEHB, the future will look more positive. I would ask anyone who has ever experienced difficulty in reaching a diagnosis to consider donating to QEHB Charity, to support research into this lesser-known but debilitating illness.”

Whether we’re thinking about spiders, heights or even the dark, most of us live with some form of anxiety, but it’s our worry over a visit to the dentist that one charity says could really be putting our health at risk and they are determined to help us overcome it.

New research by the Oral Health Foundation and Oral-B has revealed as many as two thirds of us Brits (67%) admit to being apprehensive when it comes to visiting our dentist for a check-up1.

The poll shows that a third of us fear pain and discomfort, which is the biggest single reason behind our nerves (33%). One in four are worried about the cost of our dental treatment (26%) while others are anxious about being told off by our dentist (8%).

As part of National Smile Month, a charity initiative to raise awareness about the importance of our oral health, campaigners are looking to reassure us that there is nothing to be nervous about on our next visit and have set out several ways that we can use to help us overcome any anxiety we may have.

Communication is key

“The first way to address any worry over pain is simply to speak to our dentist about your anxiety,” says Dr Uchenna Okoye.

“Dentists are well trained to deal with anxious patients and will take their time to make sure we are at ease before any treatment. Speak to friends and family to see who they trust and recommend and make sure us find a dentist who is most likely to put us at greater ease.”

Ease your way into treatment

“By making regular visits to the dentist we can become more familiar with the surroundings. This will make us more comfortable if we do eventually need treatment. Start gradually with a check-up and clean and polish, then work up to more extensive treatment once a trust and rapport has been made with the dentist.

“Agree a ‘stop now – I need a break’ sign with the dentist. It can be as simple as pointing our finger, and will help us feel more in control.”

Be an early bird

“Picking an appointment time early in the morning can do wonders for us. It means we have less time to dwell on any worries and take a friend or family member with us to an appointment.

“The dentist won’t mind if they accompany us throughout the check-up or treatment and they can reassure and support us along the way.”

Music makes us more mellow

“Try taking a personal stereo to listen to music during the visit. I’ve had plenty of patients who enjoy listening to their favourite soundtracks during appointments and it really does help put them at ease, taking their mind off any worries.”

Prevention is better than the cure

“Finally, and the best way to overcome any dental anxiety, is simply to look after our oral health.

“It’s important for us to understand that more than 90% of dental problems are entirely avoidable with a good oral health routine and prevention is much better than treatment. Simple behaviour such as using a powerbrush to clean our teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, this is a very simple and highly effective way to remove all the harmful bacteria from the mouth.

“It only takes a few minutes each day and will help protect you from most oral health problems.”

To coincide with National Walking Month this May, as well as the start of Inghams Lakes & Mountains' summer season, the specialist tour operator is encouraging guests to get 'back to nature' and book a walking holiday to Switzerland, where glaciers, forests, flower-filled meadows, soaring mountains, glistening lakes and raging waterfalls provide a paradise for nature-lovers. According to Inghams, May is the ideal time to book a late summer getaway to the Swiss mountains, as availability still offers excellent choice.

Get 'Back To Nature' Mountains instead of meetings, wildlife instead of Wi-Fi, cabins instead of computers: the Swiss countryside offers refreshing summer adventures for those in search of a genuine breath of fresh air, far from the hustle and bustle of life back at home. Across the country, an extensive network of walking trails suitable for all levels is well served by the lifts at mountain towns and villages.

Inghams is encouraging people to get active in the Alps and discover Switzerland's unrivalled, dramatic scenery from the top of peaks or the shores of crystal-clear lakes on a peaceful yet invigorating getaway. Inghams' wide range of resorts offer endless opportunities to explore nature's most magical creations on foot and, in many, Inghams guests can receive a FREE Resort Card, which entitles them to unlimited travel on the local trains and buses.

Healthy Eating Week is back, and it is bigger than ever. More than 7,900 nurseries and schools have already registered to take part, representing over 3.7 million children. Organised by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), the fifth annual Healthy Eating Week will take place from 12 – 16 June 2017.

In addition to the schools and nurseries registered for the event, this is the first year that universities and colleges have been invited to get involved. Over 110 universities and colleges and over 140 workplaces will be participating from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – involving 484,186 adults in the activities.

Roy Ballam, Managing Director and Head of Education at the BNF, said: “Each year Healthy Eating Week continues to grow. With the importance of a good diet and regular physical activity increasingly prominent, adults and children alike are keen to increase their knowledge on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

“Over 4 million people are set to participate in Healthy Eating Week 2017, and with seven weeks left to go we expect even more schools, colleges, universities and businesses to get involved. Registration is free for all, and participants will benefit from a variety of resources – all designed to boost the nation's understanding of healthy eating.”

The theme for Healthy Eating Week this year is 'applied learning'. The idea is to encourage school children to take ownership of their own health by becoming their school's 'Ambassadors' for the week – flying the healthy eating flag and motivating their peers. Schools can download Ambassador Packs, to encourage applications for the Ambassador roles. To support the week of activities, all participants will also receive a board game, posters, and activity ideas, and a series of daily challenges. This year's challenges include: Have breakfast, 5 A DAY, drink plenty, get active and try something new. There will also be health webinars and online cooking activities.

Findings from a new research study, one of the largest surveys of its kind, conducted among 4,000 UK children (aged five – 16) will be released on Monday 13 June to coincide with the week.  The research will provide an insight into children's knowledge about healthy eating and the origins of food, as well as their eating habits and physical activity levels at different ages.

Commonwealth Health Ministers will gather for their annual meeting in Geneva on 21 May 2017, on the eve of the 70th World Health Assembly.

The theme for the meeting is: ‘Sustainable Financing of Universal Health Coverage as an Essential Component for Global Security including the Reduction of All Forms of Violence’.

At last year’s meeting, Ministers recognised the importance of health security as a bridge to peace and stability, as well as the role the health sector can play in strengthening global security, including preparedness and responses to public health threats and disasters.

The 2017 meeting will build on these discussions by exploring the role of health as part of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to promoting global security, with a particular focus on preventing violence and building safe and resilient societies.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “Financing universal health coverage is a priority for all countries in the Commonwealth – and there is well-attested evidence that it enhances resilience and security as part of a package of approaches.  Robust health systems are also direct contributors to equitable growth and sustainable development. This year’s meeting of Commonwealth health ministers will seek consensus on a collective plan of action for the Commonwealth to ensure that accessible, affordable health systems are a reality for all our citizens.

Four years ago, the United Nations unanimously endorsed universal health coverage as a cornerstone of sustainable development and global security, underpinning its role in promoting collective security and prosperity. Universal health coverage also reinforces attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals under Target 3.8 to: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.”

Dr George Pamboridis, Cyprus’ Minister of Health will chair the one-day meeting, which will emphasise dialogue between ministers of the 52-nation Commonwealth. Three roundtable sessions will cover financing of universal health coverage; the role of health in global security; and, preventing violence.  The meeting will conclude with a statement of action.

Dr Pamboridis said: “Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting is a unique platform for deliberating and sharing experiences and mutual learning, as a way to accelerate the pace to meet the relevant Target of ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, to secure the highest standard of health to our population as a fundamental human right. To achieve Universal Health Coverage is the centre of gravity for all national efforts, despite our diverse set of health needs. The global geographic spread of our countries implies the necessity of acting jointly on cross border risks to public health security, since domestic action alone has not been proven sufficient in ensuring health locally.".

With a strong security impetus for identifying effective governance mechanisms for the sustainable funding of universal health coverage, the meeting will consider approaches to financing health that have been adopted in the Commonwealth, and whether commitments to certain levels of expenditure might be appropriate.