How healthy are we?

Fact checks about life expectancy and the reporting of medical risks

15 May 2019

The heart disease death rate isn’t increasing

The death rate in the UK from heart disease is falling, but at a much slower rate than in previous years.

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The heart disease death rate isn’t increasing
26 March 2019

Reports on the benefits of 10 minutes of exercise need a health warning

The study looked at the impact of doing 10-59 minutes of moderate activity a week, compared to inactivity.

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Reports on the benefits of 10 minutes of exercise need a health warning
8 March 2019

Don’t attempt ‘cough CPR’ if you think you’re having a heart attack

If you think you’re having a heart attack you should dial 999.

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Don’t attempt ‘cough CPR’ if you think you’re having a heart attack
8 February 2019

Booze telling the truth? Is Britain sobering up or not?

Alcohol consumption in Britain has been falling over time. But alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths have remained at roughly the same level.

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Booze telling the truth? Is Britain sobering up or not?
20 December 2018

Deaths of homeless people in England and Wales up 24% since 2013

An estimated 597 homeless people died in England and Wales in 2017, up 24% since 2013.

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Deaths of homeless people in England and Wales up 24% since 2013
27 November 2018

This claim about children with diabetes is completely wrong

A report in the Express said that ten years ago no child had type 2 diabetes – that’s wrong

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This claim about children with diabetes is completely wrong
9 November 2018

Is a young person diagnosed with an STI in England every four minutes?

There were 144,000 diagnoses of the STIs chlamydia and gonorrhoea in young people in England last year.

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Is a young person diagnosed with an STI in England every four minutes?
12 October 2018

Are drug related deaths in the UK the highest in the EU?

Estonia had the highest rate of drug-related deaths per million people, based on research using data from 2015 and 2016. The UK placed joint-third alongside Ireland.

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Are drug related deaths in the UK the highest in the EU?
5 September 2018

Is childhood type 2 diabetes up 40%?

Type 2 diabetes among children in England and Wales has increased by around 40% over the past 4 years.

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Is childhood type 2 diabetes up 40%?
31 July 2018

Are more young people taking cocaine?

Cocaine use among 16-24 year olds is at a nine year high. 6% said they had taken cocaine in the last year, higher than other European countries.

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Are more young people taking cocaine?

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