Britain’s Ageing Population

BRITAIN’S ageing population is a care system time bomb, admitted Health Secretary Andy Burnham last week. For the first time there are more people over 65 than under 18, say Department of Health figures. The number of people who have reached the age of 100 has broken the 10,000 barrier for the first time. Analysts have put the booming figures of the very elderly down to major improvements over past decades in medical treatment, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, housing and living standards

   Scientists claim to have found the answer to the ageing process, by allowing withered muscle to rebuild themselves by turning back a ‘biological cock’. Researchers say the breakthrough, using an enzyme called MAPL – could lead to new treatments to rejuvenate ailing bodies or fight degeneration diseases. Prof Irina Conboy of the University of California said “Old human muscle can be restored to youthful vigour given the right mix of biochemical signals”.

   In the last century, life expectancy rose by 30 per cent in the most developed countries. Death rates in nations with the longest life-spans such as Japan and Sweden suggest that even if health conditions fail to improve three quarters of babies will live to 75 years.

   Data from more than 30 developed countries showed that in 1950 the probability of living to between 80 and 90 years was 15 per cent for women and 12 per cent for men. In 2002 these figures had risen to 37 per cent and 25 per cent respectively

   Briton is now believed to rank high up international tables of long life, with only the U.S.A, Japan and France thought to have more centenarians. Among Britain’s centenarians the great majority were women 8,360 versus 1,28o men.

   However, numbers of males who survive to 100 have increased at twice the rate of women over the past decade, possibly because men born after 1900 escaped the dangers of the First World War trenches.

Shorter lunch breaks during the recession.

WORKERS are taking ever shorter lunch breaks during the recession, research revealed. It found almost a quarter admitted to skipping lunch altogether while 10 per cent said they took less than 20 minutes’

   And it claimed firms are receiving billions of pounds worth of free manpower each year because many staff stay at their decks throughout the working days.

The survey also found the average time taken for lunch has fallen to just 35 minutes, with women taking the shortest breaks and spending less money on meals.

Weight a big worry.

DEPRESSION or stress doubles the risk of obesity a study found. And people who suffer particularly bad or continuous mental health problems are most likely to be dangerously fat.

   The findings emerged after more than 4,000 civil servants aged 35 to 55 were screened over 20 years; Prof. Mika Kivimaki of University College London, said the risk should be taken into account when treating common mental disorder.

Flood fear in London

LONDONERS could face flooding food shortages and a massive increase in the number of people dying of heatstroke because of climate change, a London Climate Change Partnership report has warned.

   By 2050 there would be 19 per cent less rainfall in the summer, resulting in lower crop yields and water shortages, but 14 per cent more rainfall in the winter, causing flooding and transport disruption.

Quarter of world is following Islam

THE GLOBAL Muslim population stands at 1.57 billion, meaning that nearly one in four people follow the Islam religion.

   A three-year study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reveals that Germany has more Muslims than Lebanon; that China has more Muslims than Syria and that Russia has more Muslims than Jordan.

   Christianity has an estimated 2.1 billion to 2.2 billion followers.

Are you too optimistic to lose weight?

BEING too optimistic may hamper attempts to lose weight. People who are ‘happy and fat’ respond less well to diets, however,  a little negativity might benefit slimmer’s by leading them to worry more about their health and appearance, according to scientists in .

 Sweet violence

CHILDREN who eat sweets or chocolate every day were more likely to become violent adults, say psychiatrists. A study of 17,000 children since 1970, found those who had candy daily were significantly more likely to have convictions for violence by age 34.

   Lead researchers, Dr. Simon Moore, of Cardiff University said they may fail to learn to wait for things they want. He said “Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards impulsive behaviour, strongly associated with delinquency” The study was in the British Journal of Psychiatry..

Smoking ban cuts heart attacks

BANING smoking in public can significantly reduce heart attacks scientists claimed. Smoking bans in America, Canada and Europe cut heart attacks by 17 per cent after one year and by 36 per cent after three years, said the journal ‘Circulation’.

Hotel prices fall 16% in a year.

HOTEL room prices across the UK are at their lowest in five years said Hotel com. The average cost of a night’s stay was down 16 per cent on last year. In London prices fell 12 per cent to £101.

Foreign patients in London hospitals

FOREIGN patients at a London hospital are being withheld treatment until they pay their bills up front. Doctors at West Middlesex University Hospital will stabilise patients, then quote them on any further treatment. If they do not produce cash or credit cards to fund the treatment they are asked to leave.

   The scheme is part of a new attempt to prevent “health tourists” leaving Britain without paying their bills. A Standard investigation last week revealed they have failed to pay £7 million owed to the NHS (National Health Service) in the past year.

   The patients, most of whom, travelled to the UK from outside the European Union took advantage of doctors obliged to treat those needing urgent medical care, then left without paying.