Regulator calls for simplified medications information
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing new easy-to-read Patient Medication Information.
It says the current system of medication information can be confusing, conflicting, incomplete and repetitive.
This leads to poor compliance and worse health outcomes
In contrast, clear, concise and accessible written information helps patients use their prescription drugs safely and effectively.
The new Patient Medication Information would have consistent formatting in an easy-to-read style. One-page documents would highlight essential information, including:
- Drug name
- Summary of who needs it and when
- Safety information
- Common side effects
- Directions for use.
The FDA regulates drugs, medical devices and food products across North America.
More details are available on the FDA website here.
Study: Meeting the needs of people from ethnically diverse groups
An evidence review explores how ethnic inequalities are created and sustained in mental healthcare.
The review of 66 studies found mental healthcare services often failed to consider how racism, migration stress and complex trauma affect mental health.
It also highlights mental healthcare professionals’ descriptions of barriers to providing person-centred care including:
- Lack of time
- Discomfort when talking about race and spirituality
- Fear of calling out racist practice.
The authors call for culturally-informed approaches to mental health assessment and treatment.
They say approaches need to recognise and respond to the everyday realities of people from diverse ethnic minority groups, including racism.
Read a plain language summary of the study via the NIHR website here.
Read the full research article here.
Charity calls for lived experience to help define research
PIF member the British Liver Trust is calling for people to share their experience of hepatitis B.
The charity is working with researchers and clinicians to improve care for hepatitis B.
It wants to discover what problems people affected by hepatitis B face and what would help make things better for them.
Get involved via The British Liver Trust website here.
Study: Misinformation and public health messaging in the early stages of the Monkeypox outbreak
Real-time social media monitoring is needed to help official bodies counter mass misinformation during public health emergencies.
That is the conclusion of a study looking at the spread of misinformation during the early stages of the monkey pox (Mpox) outbreak.
Analysis of Mpox-related Tweets posted from May to July 2022 found large amounts of false, misleading, irrelevant or damaging information was circulating within weeks.
Official bodies acted promptly to provide accurate information, but were overshadowed by rapidly spreading misinformation on social media.
Read the full study via the JMIR website here.
Bowel Cancer UK launches Family, Friends and Carers Hub
A new Family, Friends and Carers Hub recognises the impact bowel cancer can have on the lives of loved ones.
PIF member Bowel Cancer UK aims for the collated resources to provide a space for family, friends and carers to find support and information.
Visit the hub on the Bowel Cancer UK website here.
Awards: New category highlights work with children and young people
A new category has been introduced to this year’s HSJ awards.
But there is not long left to enter as nominations close on 16 June.
The new award is called Reducing Inequalities and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People.
It recognises innovation and creativity in reducing healthcare inequalities and improving health outcomes for this group.
See the criteria and how to enter on the HSJ website here.
Dedication of menopause rose fuels health conversations
PIF member The Menopause Charity has used the introduction of a new rose to hold conversations about menopause with thousands of people.
The Menopause Charity Rose was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in London in May.
Conversations led by charity ambassadors and celebrity supporters followed during the show week.
Find out more about the rose launch campaign on The Menopause Charity website here.
Making independent living a reality for disabled people
In this blog, Anne Pridmore explains how she self-organised a 24-hour support package.
Anne first found herself in need of support when her partner of 20 years left her.
Finding statutory services severely lacking, she had to create her own support package.
The blog details her journey to independent living from the 1980s to today.
Read the blog on the King’s Fund website here.
ALLIANCE launches self-management awareness campaign
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (ALLIANCE) is launching a self-management awareness campaign.
The campaign runs from June to September, ending with the annual Self Management Week and Awards from 18 to 20 September.
It will highlight what self management can look like and why it is important. Examples of good practice will be shared.
Find out more via the ALLIANCE website here.
Event: Small Charity Week hosts 5 days of celebration
The Small Charity Week partnership is hosting 5 days of talks and other free online events from 19 to 24 June. The topics for the five days are:
- Monday – Celebration
- Tuesday – People
- Wednesday – Discussion
- Thursday – Learning
- Friday – Future.
Charities can also offer to run their own events on the 5 themes.
Book and plan events on the Small Charity Week website here.