- The "epidemic" of alcohol abuse is one of Scotland's greatest public health challenges, according to experts. The warning came at the launch of the new Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) group to consider measures to stop excess drinking. Latest figures show that one in four men and one in 10 women are putting their health at risk through drinking. Health Minister Andy Kerr said he was aware of the problem of alcohol and a strategy was in place to tackle it. SHAAP has warned that "radical measures", such as increasing the tax on alcohol, may have to be brought in. Figures also show that hospital admissions relating to alcohol are soaring and one in 30 deaths are alcohol-related. BBC News
- The boozy, stressed-out lifestyles of many Brits are putting years on them, according to new research. Junk food, pollution and too much sun are also blamed for prematurely ageing their skin by an average of three years. They are getting old before their time with party-loving Geordies and Londoners the worst victims, says the study. Those living in the north east of England and the north east of the capital are likely to look three-and-a-half years and three years 11 months older, respectively. The Welsh and those living in the South East have the youngest skin in Britain, according to dermatologists sk:n who carried out the survey of 1,479 people. They created a 'skin age' formula by calculating contributing factors such as stress, sleep levels, diet, social habits, sun exposure, pollution levels and a whole range of other miscellaneous aspects that all contribute to premature aging. Life Style Extra
- Britain's teenagers are among the most badly behaved in Europe, a study by a think-tank has suggested. On every indicator of bad behaviour - drugs, drink, violence, promiscuity - the UK was at or near the top, said the Institute for Public Policy Research. The institute looked at the results of a number of studies of adolescents conducted in recent years. The researchers believe the country's record can be explained by a collapse in family and community life in the UK. BBC News
- The split between children and adult social services is hindering support for Scottish families with substance misuse problems, delegates at Community Care Live Scotland heard today. Dave Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, said that professionals needed to "bridge the gap" between adult and children's services to ensure families with substance misuse problems were adequately supported. He added that without this there would not be a shared understanding of the needs of substance misusing parents and their children or when information should be shared. Families needed to be considered in both the planning and delivery of services, Liddell said. Community Care
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