Published3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Smitha MundasadHealth reporter People struggle to estimate portion sizes for food such as chocolate, crisps and cheese, a survey of 1,265 Which? subscribers suggests.They may need more help to assess how healthy products are, the consumer group says.A third guessed a 185g (6.5oz) tube of Pringles contained two to four portions. But the packaging says it has six to seven – some 13 crisps each.On a 220g box of Quality Street, the label suggests a portion is two sweets.Unrealistic recommended serving sizes can mislead people into thinking they are consuming fewer calories, and less fat, sugar or salt, than they actually are, Which? says.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Labelling was really valuable but needed to be based on “meaningful and consistent” portion sizes, Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth said.”People can be confused by inconsistent and unrealistic serving sizes and the way that manufacturers provide these can sometimes make it difficult to assess just how healthy a product is,” she said.Most of those surveyed said:supermarket “meal deals” were the ideal portion size for one person – but the drink and accompanying snack are often designed for two, a 300ml (half a pint) carton of orange juice, for example, or a 60g packet of mixed nutsa 225g supermarket pack of halloumi cheese was the right amount for two to four people – but the packaging suggests it would be enough to feed sevenThe Which? report found some well-known brands of crisps and chocolate were available in a range of pack sizes, with inconsistent portion sizes across these different packs. Image source, Getty ImagesWhich? asked 229 people to pour themselves a glass of wine or juice at home and then measure how much they had served. About half of white-wine drinkers poured more than the official small serving of 125mlSome 54% of orange-juice drinkers poured more than the recommended daily limit of 150mlA Food and Drink Federation representative said a range of portion sizes were available “to help consumers achieve a healthy balanced diet and to meet the varying requirements of families”.”Food and drink manufacturers are committed to providing clear and accurate information and voluntarily include traffic-light labelling on the front of packs, so people can make an informed decision on the food they buy,” the representative added.Most nutrition information on packaging is listed per 100g, in line with government guidance. More on this storySupermarket health claims ‘confusing’Published24 February 2019’Measure food with your fist’ Video, 00:02:25’Measure food with your fist’Published14 January 20192:25Ministers delay crackdown on buy-one-get-one-freePublished17 JuneAround the BBCWhat is a good portion size – BBC Food.website

Published42 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Smitha MundasadHealth reporter There has been a rise in the number of young adults in England who report feelings of severe distress, according to a new survey.The study found one in five 18 to 24-year-olds said they experienced severe distress at the end of 2022, compared to around one in seven in 2021.The research suggested reports of severe distress rose across all age groups, except for those over 65.Experts have pointed to the pandemic, cost of living and healthcare crisis.Researchers used a point-based score during telephone interviews to assess severe distress for the survey. People had not necessarily sought clinical help or a diagnosis at this point.The research team, including academics from King’s College London and University College London (UCL), say the rise in reports needs to be urgently addressed.England mental health referrals at 4.3 million highHow has coronavirus affected mental health?Dr Leonie Brose, from King’s, said: “The last three years have seen an unprecedented series of events that can be seen to be contributing to a worsening in people’s mental health – a pandemic, a cost of living crisis, and a healthcare crisis. “Our study shows that England’s wellbeing is steadily getting worse. “What’s required now is a strategy that puts equality, wellbeing and sustainability at the heart of society’s response.”The monthly telephone survey was conducted between April 2020 and December 2022 and involved some 51,800 adults in total. Each month, a new group of adults were asked how often in the last 30 days they had experienced a number of negative feelings such as worthlessness or hopelessness, feeling nervous or feeling so depressed nothing could cheer them up. Participants were asked to rate their feelings on a five-point scale, with higher scores placing them in the severe category. Overall, the proportion of people reporting severe distress increased from 5.7% to 8.3%, with some groups affected more than others, including participants from low-income backgrounds. Meanwhile, the proportion of adults reporting any distress was about a third during this time – it dipped to 28% in May 2021 and rose back to 32% by the end of that year.Commenting on the study, Prof Sir Simon Wessely, at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, King’s College London, said: “The strength of this study is that it is large, population based, and can look at trends over time. “Overall it suggests that what one might call normal feelings of distress, unhappiness or anxiety that probably do not require or indeed receive professional help have not changed much in recent years. “But there has been a definite increase in more severe levels of distress, some of which may reach what we call “clinical” levels, in which some form of assessment, most likely in primary care, might be indicated.”Of particular concern is that this is seen most in young people, confirmed by other studies.”Dr Michael Bloomfield, at UCL, said it was “particularly concerning” that the high levels of distress were “most marked during young adulthood”, adding that this was a key period of development “and this may represent elevated risk of subsequent mental health problems”. He said: “A mentally healthy adult population is in everyone’s interests. Investing in improving mental health pays for itself many times over.”The report is published in Jama Network Open.More on this storyHuge leap in children in mental health crisisPublished4 February 2022Quarter of 17-19-year-olds may have mental disorderPublished29 November 2022No sign of pandemic mental-health crisis – studyPublished9 MarchRelated Internet LinksInformation for young people on mental health and wellbeing – Mind.websiteMental health – NHS.websiteThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Published26 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Smitha MundasadHealth reporter Mosquitoes that carry viruses like dengue and chikungunya have moved into new parts of Europe, increasing the risk of illness, top experts warn.European scientists say more frequent heatwaves and flooding, and longer, warmer summers, have created more favourable conditions for the bugs. They are calling for better measures to control and protect against mosquitoes.Without these, more illness and deaths from mosquito-borne diseases are likely, they say.The report, by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), tracks the spread of different species of mosquitoes that can carry and transmit a number different of viruses to humans.These include dengue and Zika – which can cause a range of symptoms such as fevers and muscle aches, and in the worst cases make people extremely ill.Zika may be one mutation away from a new outbreakDengue fever crisis forces Peru minister to resignThe ECDC report suggests this year, the Aedes albopictus mosquito (known to carry dengue and chikungunya) “established” itself in 13 countries in Europe – meaning it has developed a self-sustaining population that is reproducing – compared with eight European countries a decade ago.Meanwhile, last year, Aedes aegypti, which can spread diseases such as yellow fever, Zika and West Nile virus, became established in Cyprus, and scientists warn it may continue to spread to other countries. ‘Invasive species’According to the report, in 2022:there were 1,133 human cases of West Nile virus and 92 deaths, with the majority of cases acquired in Europe – the highest since the peak of about 1,548 cases in 2018cases were reported in Italy, Greece, Romania, Germany, Hungry, Croatia, Austria, France, Spain, Slovakia and Bulgaria71 cases of locally acquired dengue were recorded in mainland Europe – equivalent to the total number reported between 2010 and 2021cases of dengue were seen in France and SpainAndrea Ammon, ECDC director, said: “In recent years we have seen a geographical spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in the EU/EEA.”If this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. “Efforts need to focus on ways to control mosquito populations, enhancing surveillance and enforcing personal protective measures.”Image source, SPLExperts recommend eliminating standing water sources where mosquitoes breed and using eco-friendly larvicides, alongside increasing awareness of the personal measures people can take to protect themselves.These include:using insecticide-treated bed netssleeping in air-conditioned roomsusing window screenswearing clothes that cover most of the bodyusing mosquito repellent The ECDC says it is “essential” that healthcare workers and the public have a greater awareness of the different diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.Dengue (spread by mosquitoes that bite during the day) can cause a fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and a blotchy rash. The number of cases has grown around the world in recent decades. It is endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, South and South East Asia, and the Western Pacific region.Most cases of West Nile virus do not cause symptoms, but when people fall ill the virus can cause headaches, severe tiredness, muscle aches, vomiting, rashes and eye pain. Older people and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of a form of the illness that affects the brain and can be fatal. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus are fever and joint pain, alongside headaches, muscle pain and rashes. More on this storyRecord dengue outbreak kills over 40 in ArgentinaPublished22 AprilZika may be one mutation away from a new outbreakPublished12 April 2022

Published16 JuneShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Smitha MundasadHealth reporter The UK entered the coronavirus pandemic with public services “depleted” and health inequalities on the rise, the Covid inquiry has heard.A decade of austerity leading up to 2020 meant the health of the nation was already in decline, two experts said. A report from Prof Sir Michael Marmot and Prof Clare Bambra was filed as part of the public hearings exploring the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic.Poor regions and ethnic minority groups were disproportionately affected.More attention should have been paid to reduce the added risks Covid brought to such vulnerable groups, their report said. Covid inquiry: Race should be at its corePoorest women’s life expectancy declines, report findsChildren put at risk by health inequalitiesNHS crisis – decades in the makingThe inquiry also heard about increasing pressures in the NHS, with the number of people waiting for treatment twice as high before the pandemic as it was in 2009. The number of vacancies for doctors and nurses were already climbing, with “great pressure” on existing staff.And life expectancy around the UK was already on the decline. Up to 2010, it had been steadily increasing but, from that point on, the improvements stalled – with the largest declines generally seen among the most deprived socioeconomic groups.What is the UK Covid-19 inquiry?It is about going through what happened and learning lessonsNo-one will be found guilty or innocentAny recommendations made do not have to be adopted by governmentsThe inquiry has no formal deadline but is due to hold public hearings until 2026Scotland is holding a separate inquiry in addition to the wider UK oneSir Michael told the inquiry funding for social care and public health had gone down before the pandemic, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country. And the impact was felt most by people living in poorer areas, people from ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups, who experienced the most ill-health. “In short, the UK entered the pandemic with its public services depleted, health improvements stalled, health inequalities increased and health among the poorest people in a state of decline,” said Sir Michael.Experts said there had been a forewarning from the swine flu outbreak, indicating which groups might suffer the most in a pandemic.But Prof Bambra said there was “little reflection” in previous government pandemic planning reports on which groups were most likely to be at risk. Katharine Hammond, former director of the civil contingencies secretariat in the Cabinet Office, was also asked about the level of consideration given to vulnerable groups during pandemic planning.She told the inquiry: “I don’t think we did a piece of work to look at the totality of socio-economic disadvantage”.Official figures have shown that people from ethnic minority groups were significantly more likely to die with Covid-19.Sir Michael said that planning for better health and narrowing health inequalities was key. He added it was his general view “that if you look at the evidence from previous pandemics, including the current one that we’re considering, that the impact of the pandemic is very much influenced by pre-existing inequalities in society, including inequalities in health.”It was not just about “whether there was a report somewhere in Government about planning for a pandemic,” he said, adding: “You’ve got to plan for better health and narrow health inequalities, and that will protect you in the pandemic.”More on this storyPut race at centre of Covid inquiry – campaignersPublished28 FebruaryPoorest women’s life expectancy declinesPublished25 February 2020Children ‘put at risk by Covid health inequalities’Published15 December 2020Related Internet LinksUK Covid-19 InquiryThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Published8 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Victoria RennisonBy Smitha MundasadHealth reporter Many people may be suffering from an undiagnosed and misunderstood bowel condition, according to the charity Guts UK.Microscopic colitis is an inflammation of the large bowel and causes frequent watery diarrhoea, stomach pain, faecal incontinence, fatigue and weight loss.About 17,000 people are diagnosed each year in the UK, but experts say the real number is likely to be higher. Some standard tests for inflammatory bowel conditions do not spot it. But despite misdiagnoses, cases have risen in the UK in recent years. Biopsy samples Victoria Rennison, 33, from South London, was diagnosed with microscopic colitis last year, after more than a decade of symptoms. She saw a number of specialists but was told she had irritable bowel syndrome and “was left to get on with it”.When the condition was at its worst she would spend the entire day and many nights on the toilet, or running urgently to the bathroom. “The diarrhoea would come on suddenly and would be profuse and watery and the pain was like intense cramps,” said Victoria.”There were even times my infant son had to sit on a bouncer in the bathroom with me for hours.”She told BBC News: “I used to be sociable and outgoing but I found it harder and harder to go out.”I didn’t want to leave the house. I had to make a map of every toilet to do so.”Victoria was finally diagnosed after a gut specialist did a colonoscopy (camera test of her bowel) and – crucially – took biopsy samples of the inflamed bowel.On previous visits to doctors she had had colonoscopies, but no biopsy samples had been taken and the condition – which can be seen clearly when samples are put under a microscope – was missed. She says it was a huge relief to get a diagnosis and be given treatment. “It was not possible to keep living like that with a small child. I feel like I’ve finally regained some semblance of normality.”Image source, Victoria RennisonJulie Harrington, CEO of Guts UK, said it was crucial to provide training for healthcare providers, and continue to raise awareness, and invest in research.She added: “It is terribly sad that thousands of people are suffering with the debilitating symptoms of microscopic colitis. “Most people with the condition can be easily treated with a course of gut-specific steroids or with symptom-relieving medicines, but getting a diagnosis is the first, essential step.”Prof Chris Probert, at the University of Liverpool, said: “It is not clear why cases of the condition are on the increase, but it is likely to be due to a mixture of increased awareness of symptoms leading to more diagnoses, and environmental factors.”The good news is that effective treatments are available, so people experiencing symptoms could benefit enormously by talking with their GP.”More on this storyPortstewart woman warns of dangers of colitis4 April 2022But you don’t look sick12 September 2020Related Internet LinksPage not found – Guts UK.websiteUndiagnosed microscopic colitis a hidden cause of chronic diarrhoea and a frequently missed treatment opportunity Frontline.websiteThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Published8 hours agoSharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Smitha MundasadHealth reporter A “game-changing” immunotherapy drug proven to delay the development of type 1 diabetes has been approved by regulators in the USA. Experts say teplizumab marks a “new era” in treatment, tackling the root cause of the condition for the first time, rather than just the symptoms.It works by reprogramming the immune system to stop it mistakenly attacking pancreatic cells which produce insulin.It is likely to pave the way for approval decisions in other countries. About 8.7 million people have type 1 diabetes worldwide. In the UK the condition affects 400,000 people, including more than 29,000 children. ‘Taking away the burden’In type 1 diabetes, the immune system (that normally fights off bacteria and viruses) mistakenly attacks key cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. Insulin is crucial, helping the body use sugar for energy, and most current treatments focus on people checking their blood sugars and taking insulin – by injection or infusion – every day.In 2019, a trial showed the drug delayed some people at high risk of the condition from developing it for an average of three years. Experts say this delay can be very significant, particularly for young people who would not have to take daily insulin or monitor their sugars as intensively for that period of time. They suggest people could also spend more years with their blood sugars in a healthy range, offering more time to be protected from the complications of high blood sugars such as kidney or eye disease. Image source, Beth BaldwinBeth Baldwin’s son Peter died after a diabetic ketoacidosis emergency in 2014. He had undiagnosed type 1 diabetes and his body was shutting down. He was just 13.Beth said: “A drug like this would be life-changing. “You cannot stop people getting type 1 diabetes for now. But delaying the onset…. would be phenomenal – particularly for children. “It means three years of not having to intensively manage the condition, and it may delay it long enough for more research to take place. “It is a huge step forward.” Beth now works with the charity JDRF UK to increase awareness of the signs of type 1 diabetes, including feeling very thirsty, urinating more than usual, feeling very tired and losing weight without trying.You can read more about Peter’s story here.Rachel Connor, from the JDRF UK charity, which part-funded the trial, said: “This is a game-changer. To me this is the start of a new era for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. “It is the first time we are able to get to the heart of why the condition develops and help change the process, so we are not just treating the symptoms any more. “Once we can do that, we can find other ways to do it better and for longer.”Type 1 diabetes: ‘People don’t know how hard it is’.What is diabetes?Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.There are two main types:type 1 – where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulintype 2 – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulinType 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1.Source: NHSMore on this storyStopping type 1 diabetes from birth11 July 2018Type 1 diabetes: ‘People don’t know how hard it is’9 MayPioneering type 1 diabetes therapy safe9 August 2017Related Internet LinksWhat is type 1 diabetes – NHS.websiteAbout us JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity.websiteThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

SharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Science Photo Library/Getty ImagesUK scientists have undertaken a huge “archaeological dig” of cancer in the UK, analysing the complete genetic make-up – or whole genome sequence – of tumours from about 12,000 patients.The team says the unprecedented amount of data allowed them to uncover new patterns in the DNA of cancer – hinting at causes that are not yet understood.They add that the genetic clues will ultimately help improve diagnosis and treatment.The research is published in Science.Cancer can be thought of as a corrupted version of our own healthy cells – mutations to our DNA change our cells until eventually they grow and divide uncontrollably.Traditionally many cancers have been categorised by doctors based on where they are in the body and the type of cells involved – but whole genome sequencing can provide another layer of key information.’Dinosaur footprints’Whole genome sequencing is relatively new, but is already available on the NHS for a small number of specific cancers, including some blood cancers.The NHS long-term plan aims to make it more widely available, through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.Lead researcher Prof Serena Nik-Zainal, a consultant at Cambridge University Hospitals, told the BBC the study was like an “archaeological dig” of people’s cancer.She added: “We can see the patterns or imprints in the field of their cancers – like dinosaur footprints – of what is going wrong with their cancers. “And everyone’s cancer is different. To know we can personalise each person’s cancer report means we are a step closer to personalising treatment for them.”Led by the University of Cambridge, the research team analysed anonymised DNA data provided by the 100,000 Genomes Project – an England-wide project to sequence the whole genomes of patients affected by cancer and rare diseases. With thousands of genetic changes seen in each tumour they analysed, researchers were able to detect specific combinations of genetic alterations – so-called “mutational signatures” – that may be key to cancers developing. Comparing the data to other international genetic cancer projects, they confirmed patterns that are already known, and uncovered 58 new ones.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Some signatures can provide clues about whether patients have had exposure to environmental causes of cancers – such as smoking.Others provide more information about genetic abnormalities that may be amenable to specific drugs, researchers say. Researchers also created a computer programme to help scientists and doctors check whether patients who have had whole genome sequencing have any of the newly discovered mutational clues.Image source, CUH’Challenging journey’Aubrey, a two-year-old girl from Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with cancer when she was only 16 months old. She did not take part in the study. But whole genome sequencing helped doctors identify the type of cancer she has – a rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare cancer that generally affects muscles attached to bones. The results helped make sure she is on the best treatment. Anna, Aubrey’s mother, said: “Because of the unusual way Aubrey’s cancer presented, the doctors were not sure of the exact cancer type. “The whole genome sequence test helped doctors to know how to treat her and keep her stable. “Whilst we still have a challenging journey with Aubrey’s diagnosis and treatment, we are relieved to know she does not have cancer that was inherited, and we do not have to worry that it could affect our son or other members of the family as well.”What is your genome? Your genome is the information needed to build the human body and keep it healthyIt is written in chemical code called DNAThe genome is made of segments of DNA called genes and other genetic materialMost cancers are caused by cells with unusual changes in their genome Source: NHS EnglandProf Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: “Mutational signatures are an example of using the full potential of whole genome sequencing. “We hope to use the mutational clues seen in this study and apply them back into our patient population, with the ultimate aim of improving diagnosis and management of cancer patients.”The research is supported by Cancer Research UK. More on this storyBrain cancer DNA research aims to improve treatmentsDNA mapping project ‘to transform society’Hundreds with rare diseases get genetic diagnosisRelated Internet LinksScience Journalgenome-sequencing-cancer- patient-information NHSThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

SharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesNatural defences against a common cold could offer some protection against Covid-19, too, research suggests.The small-scale study, published in Nature Communications, involved 52 individuals who lived with someone who had just caught Covid-19.Those who had developed a “memory bank” of specific immune cells after a cold – to help prevent future attacks – appeared less likely to get Covid.Experts say no-one should rely on this defence alone, and vaccines remain key.But they believe their findings could provide useful insight into how a body’s defence system fights the virus.Covid-19 is caused by a type of coronavirus, and some colds are caused by other coronaviruses – so scientists have wondered whether immunity against one might help with the other. But the experts caution that it would be a “grave mistake” to think that anyone who had recently had a cold was automatically protected against Covid-19 – as not all are caused by coronaviruses. The Imperial College London team wanted to understand better why some people catch Covid after being exposed to the virus and others do not.’New vaccine approach’They focused their study on a crucial part of the body’ s immune system – T-cells.Some of these T-cells kill any cells infected by a specific threat – for example, a cold virus. And, once the cold has gone, some T-cells remain in the body as a memory bank, ready to mount a defence when they next encounter the virus.In September 2020, researchers studied 52 people who had not yet been vaccinated but who lived with people who had just tested positive for Covid-19.Half the group went on to get Covid during the 28-day study period and half did not. A third of the people who did not catch Covid were found to have high levels of specific memory T-cells in their blood. These were likely to have been created when the body had been infected with another closely-related human coronavirus – most frequently, a common cold, they say. Researchers accept other variables – such as ventilation and how infectious their household contact was – would have an impact on whether people caught the virus, too. Dr Simon Clarke, at the University of Reading, said although this was a relatively small study, it added to the understanding of how our immune system fights the virus and could help with future vaccines.He added: “These data should not be over-interpreted. It seems unlikely that everyone who has died or had a more serious infection, has never had a cold caused by a coronavirus. “And it could be a grave mistake to think that anyone who has recently had a cold is protected against Covid-19, as coronaviruses only account for 10-15% of colds.”Professor Ajit Lalvani, senior author of the study, agreed vaccines were key to protection. He added: “Learning from what the body does right could help inform the design of new vaccines.”Current vaccines specifically target spike proteins that sit on the outside of the virus, but those spike proteins can change with new variants. But the body’s T-cells target internal virus proteins, which do not change as much from variant to variant, meaning vaccines harnessing the work of T-cells more closely could provide broader, longer-lasting protection against Covid, he said. Nature.websiteThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

SharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesThe UK’s Health Security Agency says its analysis of English data shows Covid vaccines are safe in pregnancy, reinforcing international evidence.The agency found similar rates of stillbirths and preterm births for vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers.Its report shows no fully vaccinated pregnant women were admitted to intensive care with the virus between February and September 2021. But just 22% of women who gave birth in August had had at least one jab. Since mid-April, mothers-to-be have been offered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna jab, with the second dose recommended eight weeks after the first. Between January and August, the stillbirth rate was about:3.35 per 1,000 vaccinated women3.6 per 1,000 unvaccinated womenThe proportion of babies of low birth weight was 5.28% among vaccinated women 5.36% among unvaccinated womenThe proportion of premature births was:6.51% among vaccinated women5.99% among unvaccinated womenBut women first eligible for vaccination were more likely to be older or have an underlying medical condition – putting them at higher risk of premature births, researchers say.Meanwhile, studies suggest about one in five women admitted to hospital with the virus have their babies delivered early and some of these babies need special intensive care. And evidence suggests the risks of stillbirths are higher if a woman has Covid in pregnancy. UKHSA immunisation head said the new information on safety was reassuring. “Every pregnant woman who has not yet been vaccinated should feel confident to go and get the jab and that this will help to prevent the serious consequences of catching Covid in pregnancy,” she said.Vaccine coverage is increasing – but the report also shows the proportion of mothers to have had at least one jab at the time of birth was about:17.5% among white women13.5% among Asian women5.5% among black womenAnd:7.8% in poor areas26.5% in richer areasPregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHSThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

SharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBlack women are more than four times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than white women in the UK, a review of 2017-2019 deaths shows.The Mbrrace report found women from Asian backgrounds are almost twice as likely to die as white women. Some 495 individuals died during pregnancy or up to a year after birth, out of 2,173,810 having a child.The charity Birthrights is concerned that overall “this bleak picture has not changed in over a decade”.University of Oxford researchers say for the vast majority of people, pregnancy remains very safe in the UK.But despite slight decreases in the maternal death rate in recent years, there have been no significant improvements to these rates since the 2010 to 2012 period.’Equality in Pregnancy’Their current report shows heart disease, epilepsy and stroke continue to be the most common causes of death.And they say in some 37% of cases, improvements in care may have made a difference to the outcome. The report shows the risk of dying in pregnancy or the year after childbirth, for women is:White groups – about seven in 100,000Asian – 12 in 100,000Mixed ethnicity – 15 in 100,000Black groups – about 32 in 100,000The report does not look directly at the individual reasons behind the disparities.However, researchers acknowledge that addressing “wider cultural and structural biases affecting women’s care on the basis of their pregnancy, or the potential to become pregnant, is fundamental to the prevention of maternal mortality”.Lead researcher, Prof Marian Knight, said: “Pregnant women get inequitable care for several reasons. “Healthcare professionals often attribute their symptoms to pregnancy alone and they do not always end up getting the treatment they need because people can be incorrectly concerned about giving them medication. “On top of that is the unconscious bias that black and Asian women can experience. It all adds up. “We know from other studies that the disparity in death rates cannot be fully explained by socio-economic factors and other medical conditions for example. We need to look for other reasons.”Amy Gibbs, chief executive of Birthrights, said the organisation remained deeply concerned that black and brown people’s “basic human rights to safety, dignity and equality in pregnancy and childbirth are not being protected, respected or upheld”. She added: “Emerging themes from our own inquiry, backed up by testimony from healthcare professionals, include feeling unsafe, their concerns being ignored or dismissed, denial of pain relief due to racial stereotypes, and pervasive microaggressions causing harm or distress.”The comprehensive Mbrrace study – which also looks at mental health and cancer care for pregnant women – shows other inequalities continue to grow, with women living in the most deprived areas twice as likely to die than those who live in the most affluent areas. Separately, the review looks at the care of women who give birth over the age of 45.For the 37 births examined closely, fewer than a third of women received care that was fully in line with current guidance. Researchers make a number of broad recommendations, including ensuring women have documented conversations about the risks of pregnancy when older than 45, and that mothers-to-be receive cancer and mental health care promptly. And they advise women to be as healthy as possible before and during pregnancy, and to take folic acid supplements. Protecting human rights in childbirth – BirthrightsMBRRACE-UK_Maternal_Report_2021_-_FINAL_-_WEB_VERSIONThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.