NHS waiting lists and the wider consequences | Letters

As one of the thousands of people waiting for a hip replacement, I’d like to highlight some of the consequences of longer waiting lists (NHS axes key 18-week target for operations, 31 March). I am 66 and until last June was fit and active. I have reached 19 weeks on the waiting list and am hoping to get notified of a cancellation any day. I have had to give up a range of volunteering activities and also my fitness classes. The pain, despite medication, prevents me from getting out much and increases social isolation. I fear that even after my operation I will be out of the habit of being active and it will take a lot of willpower to get back to how I was.

Longer waiting lists will lead to us “active older people” being unable to undertake community volunteering. Has the cost of this ever been factored in? The impact will be exacerbated by the rising retirement age. Younger retired people will disappear from the ranks of volunteers. Many people delay seeing their GP until pain levels are intolerable. Those in the know will go early and pressurise GPs for referral for orthopaedic assessment, to get into the system. The local waiting list is based on time, not on need. The government needs to consider more sophisticated measures of need for elective surgery and to take into account the wider impact on society of longer waiting lists.

I feel lucky that a new hip is even possible. Had I lived in my grandparents’ time this would be a life sentence of pain. I would be willing to pay more tax to fund the NHS and social care. Time for government to grasp that nettle.
Sue Craythorne
Exeter

• In addition to the consequences of later retirement covered in Amelia Hill’s splendid piece (A world without retirement, 29 March), what about the holes currently filled by volunteers in a range of services? In my borough, Haringey, the parks department has only skeleton staff. Our unique nature reserve, Queen’s Wood, is looked after entirely by volunteers. Local parks and green corners are also looked after by an army of volunteers. How about the local food bank and soup kitchen? They are volunteer-run. And in many boroughs, library opening hours are maintained only because of volunteers. I could go on.
Alison Watson
London

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NHS waiting lists and the wider consequences | Letters

British feet acquiring longer and wider, say specialists

The survey of 2,000 British adults discovered 48% of guys explained their feet have got bigger, and 61% said their feet are wider. Photograph: Nick Hawkes/Alamy

British feet are acquiring longer and wider, authorities have mentioned.

Throughout the final 4 decades, the regular British foot has improved by two shoe sizes, the University of Podiatry mentioned.

In 1970, men’s feet have been size eight on common and girls size four, but now the average male wears a dimension ten and the common female wears a size six, a spokeswoman explained.

The enhance could be linked to the population’s enhanced excess weight and height, she added.

A poll conducted by the college identified two-thirds of ladies declare their feet have acquired wider in grownup lifestyle, and 35% said they have acquired larger. And the survey of 2,000 British adults located 48% of guys said their feet have acquired greater, and 61% explained they are wider.

The college also cautioned that several individuals are risking foot troubles by striving to squeeze their feet into footwear that are too tiny and narrow.

“Feet are getting greater because as a nation we are turning into taller and we’re escalating in bodyweight,” stated Lorraine Jones from the School of Podiatry.

“Elevated weight obtain spots more pressure on the feet and indicates ligaments and joints need to have to work tougher to maintain the foot’s framework and hold you mobile.

“Above time, if a person is gaining weight, the feet splay to attempt and accommodate the increased pressure – which can trigger discomfort, lead to mobility troubles and improve your risk of creating osteoarthritis in the lower limb joints.

British feet acquiring longer and wider, say specialists

Yemen law on little one brides and FGM gives hope of wider progress | Suad Abu-Dayyeh

Schoolgirls in Sana’a, Yemen. A new law promises to safeguard beneath-18s from marriage. Photograph: Mohammed Huwais/AFP

Yemen is poised to vote on a complete Kid Rights Act more than the coming months, which would ban kid marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

The new law would establish the minimum age for marriage as 18, in line with the international human rights normal. Fines would be imposed on guardians, signatories, marriage officials and any other witnesses aware of any contravention.

The push for official legislation on this kind of troubles has been endorsed by Hooria Mashhour, the Yemeni human rights minister, and supported by others in government.

If accepted by the prime minister and cabinet, the legislation would go to a parliamentary vote. Even so, profitable passage of the law is far from specified. In 2009, an try to make 17 the minimal age of marriage for women was blocked by conventional and religious leaders and the parliament’s sharia committee.

The president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, now has the power to overrule such selections. It is far from specific whether or not he would intervene, but proof of expanding support for guarding ladies from early marriage may influence his outlook.

In accordance to the UN, more than half of Yemeni ladies are married by the age of 18, which can have serious physical, psychological and educational repercussions.

As a report by Equality Now factors out, youngster marriage does not take area in a vacuum but is rather part of a cycle of abuse and discrimination that usually consists of sexual violence and FGM.

With this is mind, posts in the Kid Rights Act that propose banning FGM – which affects 23% of Yemen’s female population – as nicely as other varieties of violence towards children, such as little one labour, are to be welcomed.

In dealing with the rights of women in a holistic way, Yemen is recognising that an interlinked method is important to guaranteeing individuals at risk are protected early on from the prospect of a lifetime of abuse. However, this kind of an strategy demands that the health, schooling and justice techniques are adequately resourced financially, and that each and every actor is aware of their function and obligation in ensuring the law is effectively implemented and women are correctly educated about their rights.

Neighbouring countries have manufactured moves in each directions. In Pakistan’s Sindh province,, the neighborhood assembly last month voted in favour of a law establishing 18 as the minimum age of marriage. In Saudi Arabia, regulations had been drafted last yr but have nevertheless to be introduced.

But proposed legislative adjustments in the region have not all been optimistic. While a draft law that would permit 9-year-previous Iraqi ladies to marry has been shelved, it is indicative of the possible for progress to be undermined.

It is hoped that in Yemen, the authorities will seize the chance to make main advances not only for the female population, but for the complete country. 

We hope that, on this occasion, standard and religious leaders will ensure the law is passed by the sharia committee. This would be a huge step towards a brighter future for Yemen, 1 exactly where the rights of ladies are firmly at the forefront.

Suad Abu-Dayyeh is Equality Now’s Middle East and North Africa advisor

Yemen law on little one brides and FGM gives hope of wider progress | Suad Abu-Dayyeh

Yemen law on youngster brides and FGM delivers hope of wider progress | Suad Abu-Dayyeh

Schoolgirls in Sana’a, Yemen. A new law promises to defend below-18s from marriage. Photograph: Mohammed Huwais/AFP

Yemen is poised to vote on a thorough Little one Rights Act above the coming months, which would ban youngster marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

The new law would establish the minimum age for marriage as 18, in line with the international human rights standard. Fines would be imposed on guardians, signatories, marriage officials and any other witnesses conscious of any contravention.

The push for official legislation on this kind of concerns has been endorsed by Hooria Mashhour, the Yemeni human rights minister, and supported by others in government.

If accepted by the prime minister and cabinet, the legislation would go to a parliamentary vote. Nonetheless, profitable passage of the law is far from specified. In 2009, an try to make 17 the minimal age of marriage for ladies was blocked by conventional and religious leaders and the parliament’s sharia committee.

The president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, now has the electrical power to overrule such selections. It is far from specified regardless of whether he would intervene, but evidence of growing help for guarding girls from early marriage may influence his outlook.

According to the UN, a lot more than half of Yemeni girls are married by the age of 18, which can have significant bodily, psychological and educational repercussions.

As a report by Equality Now points out, kid marriage does not take spot in a vacuum but is rather part of a cycle of abuse and discrimination that typically involves sexual violence and FGM.

With this is mind, articles in the Kid Rights Act that propose banning FGM – which affects 23% of Yemen’s female population – as properly as other forms of violence towards young children, including child labour, are to be welcomed.

In dealing with the rights of girls in a holistic way, Yemen is recognising that an interlinked approach is important to guaranteeing people at chance are protected early on from the prospect of a lifetime of abuse. However, such an approach demands that the well being, education and justice systems are adequately resourced financially, and that every single actor is aware of their position and accountability in making sure the law is successfully implemented and women are appropriately educated about their rights.

Neighbouring countries have produced moves in the two directions. In Pakistan’s Sindh province,, the local assembly final month voted in favour of a law establishing 18 as the minimal age of marriage. In Saudi Arabia, regulations had been drafted final year but have however to be introduced.

But proposed legislative modifications in the area have not all been positive. While a draft law that would permit nine-yr-outdated Iraqi ladies to marry has been shelved, it is indicative of the possible for progress to be undermined.

It is hoped that in Yemen, the authorities will seize the possibility to make significant advances not only for the female population, but for the complete country. 

We hope that, on this event, classic and religious leaders will make sure the law is passed by the sharia committee. This would be a massive step towards a brighter long term for Yemen, one exactly where the rights of ladies are firmly at the forefront.

Suad Abu-Dayyeh is Equality Now’s Middle East and North Africa consultant

Yemen law on youngster brides and FGM delivers hope of wider progress | Suad Abu-Dayyeh

Six Minor-Recognized Superfoods That Deserve Wider Recognition

On hearing the word “superfood,” a variety of fruits and greens will possibly enter your mind. The title has consistently been attached to the blueberry, for instance. There is also the almond, the sweet potato, the avocado, kale, spirulina, chlorella, and of course, the “original” superfood, broccoli. While these meals are surely nutritious, many lesser-known foods also match (and in some cases, exceed) them in the wellness department. Under are six prominent examples.

Moringa oleifera – Grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, Moringa oleifera (nicknamed “The Miracle Tree”) is a tree whose leaves are packed with above 90 trace minerals. One particular serving of cooked moringa leaves will supply you with 272 percent of your suggested everyday consumption (RDI) of vitamin A, 125 percent of your RDI of calcium, 71 percent of your RDI of iron, 61 % of your RDI of magnesium, 41 % of your RDI of potassium, and 22 % of your RDI of vitamin C. Additionally, the regular consumption of moringa capsules has been linked to appetite suppression, excess weight loss, improved mood and digestion, regulation of blood sugar, and safety of the stomach lining.

Natto – Common in Japan, this fermented soybean food – very best purchased organic – is rich in the compound pyrazine, a all-natural blood thinner that can avoid blood clots. Natto is also wealthy in vitamin K (which assists to sustain bone density and avert osteoporosis), polyamine (which assists to suppress excessive immune reactions), and selenium (an antioxidant that aids avoid cancer). Due to its unpleasant taste and cheese-like smell, some people prefer to eat natto in capsule form.

Aronia berries – Often acknowledged as the world’s healthiest fruit, aronia berries (or “chokeberries”) have three instances as many antioxidants as blueberries, blackberries, and acai berries, and one-and-a-half instances as several antioxidants as blackcurrants and cranberries. In reality, aronia berries are so densely-packed with antioxidants that they’re practically impossible to consume raw due to their severe sharpness. Rather, they are sweetened and created into jams and juices.

Dietary yeast – Nutritional yeast is a sweet, yellow-colored, cheese-like food that stays a preferred amongst vegetarians and vegans due to its significant protein and B-vitamin content material. Without a doubt, a single tablespoon of nutritional yeast gives us with dense concentrations of riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12, producing it the ultimate vitamin B complex.

Bacopa monnieri – Bacopa monnieri, also named brahmi, is a creeping herb that is native to the wetlands of Asia, Australia, and the United States. Revered in Ayurvedic medication, bacopa is perhaps the greatest food for boosting mental well being considering that it is wealthy in bacosides (chemical compounds that can restore broken neurons, as a result bettering nerve impulse transmission). Prolonged phrase-consumption of bacopa powder has been linked to enhanced memory, recall abilities, mood, focus spans, verbal data processing, and even improved safety towards age-associated cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s condition. It has also been shown to improve digestive and respiratory overall health.

Maitake – Although mushroom are not usually considered superfoods, particular species of them do deserve the title – specially the extremely nutritious maitake, also referred to as the dancing mushroom, hen-of-the-woods, or sheep’s head. This crispy, earthy-brown fungus has been a staple in Chinese medicine for centuries, and for great explanation: Wealthy in amino acids, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, and several B-vitamins this kind of as niacin, the hen-of-the-woods is a dietary powerhouse comparable to some of the best green vegetables. Furthermore, scientific studies have proven that it is made up of important cancer-fighting properties.

Michael Ravensthorpe is an independent author whose research interests contain nutrition, option medicine, and bushcraft. He is the creator of the site, Spiritfoods, by means of which he promotes the world’s healthiest foods.

Six Minor-Recognized Superfoods That Deserve Wider Recognition