Policy Hub
On 16 March 2009, the Chief Medical Officer published his annual report for 2008 (On the state of public health) which highlights major health challenges requiring immediate action and considers progress made in key areas identified in previous annual reports.
The report also looks at the impact of alcohol on health and society and advances the concept of ‘passive drinking’ – the collateral damage caused by alcohol such as alcohol-related disease and the extent to which it fuels antisocial behaviour and crime.
Similarly it considers the problem of prostrate cancer, the second biggest cancer killer in England. The report reflects on the quality of advice offered to men faced with difficult decisions about their treatment and proposes a series of measures to improve the support they receive.
The burden imposed on those who experience disabling chronic pain as well as concerns prompted by the many bacteria which are proving increasingly resistant to antibiotics are also addressed in detail.
Finally, the report looks at how simulation can be used to prepare doctors for the challenges of real-world medical practice and highlights innovative approaches adopted by regional public health teams to tackle various health problems.