I was very surprised to hear of John Prescott admitting to suffering from bulimia for years as an adult. Credit to him for speaking out. I was never a fan of him as an MP but he obviously has courage to reveal what he went through.
Prescott said: "I want to say to the millions of people, do take advice, it can help you out of a lot of misery that you suffer in silence."
When it comes to eating disorders the focus always seems to be on women and girls. I realise that statistics show that females are more affected (around 80% of sufferers are young women) but people should understand males can suffer from it too. Men seem to be more embarrassed about admitting to things like this as they believe it is a sign of weakness.
In an article by The Times Online, it was reported that Prescott developed bulimia due to the stress of his job in the early 1990s. Stressful situations are the most common cause of developing eating disorders because people turn to food for comfort, or they formulate certain eating habits which makes them feel in control.
Soaps such as Hollyoaks have tried to raise the issue by including a storyline about a character having the eating disorder. Hannah Ashworth, a teenage character in the series, develops bulimia and then anorexia after a traumatic period in her life. The outcome is that she beats it, but after another dilemma she is in danger of letting the illness take over again.
The advice to anyone who thinks they mave have an eating disorder is to seek professional help, whether you are female OR male.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Preston: Public Concern
Research suggests that inhabitants of Preston have a number of concerns relating to traffic and environmental issues.
A section of the Preston public are urging the council to rethink their outlook on schemes such as refuse collection and speed bumps on main roads.
Residents of Manchester Road have complained that their street has been infested with mice. Some say it is the fortnightly bin collections that are to blame. Households with many inhabitants, for instance large families and student houses, are affected more because they create more rubbish.
However there are no plans to revert to a weekly refuse collection. The Council is committed to alternate weekly collections but there are currently 7,500 properties with a weekly food waste collection and this will shortly be doubled. One of the areas for this expansion is Frenchwood, where the rodent infestation problem exists.
Since the introduction of alternate weekly collections in 2001 the recycling rate for Preston has increased from 4.5% to a projected 31% for 2007/08. Households are provided with recycling boxes that are collected by the council.
Council spokesman Duncan Coward said: “For the type of authority we are, and with the demographics of the City, this is an excellent figure and we look to improve every year.”
So-called “traffic calming” measures have caused an ongoing issue between the public and local councils. There is a belief that some traffic calming measures do nothing to reduce the risk of accidents and are a waste of taxpayers’ money. The debate is that speed bumps can be dangerous for pedestrians crossing roads. It has even been suggested by locals that they can induce road rage.
One Ashton resident said: “Speed cameras are not necessary except in built up areas where there is a need to reduce speed.”
Meanwhile, some positive initiatives have been developed. Broadgate is experiencing some new traffic technology in the form of a speedometer. It has been installed to motivate drivers to watch their speed. If cars are travelling above 30mph the speedometer will show a “sad face”, while a speed below 30mph will show a “smiley face”. It is hoped this will encourage drivers to reduce their speed on the roads, particularly in residential areas.
If you have any concerns that you would like to raise, contact Preston City Council at 01772 906900 or at info@preston.gov.uk.
A section of the Preston public are urging the council to rethink their outlook on schemes such as refuse collection and speed bumps on main roads.
Residents of Manchester Road have complained that their street has been infested with mice. Some say it is the fortnightly bin collections that are to blame. Households with many inhabitants, for instance large families and student houses, are affected more because they create more rubbish.
However there are no plans to revert to a weekly refuse collection. The Council is committed to alternate weekly collections but there are currently 7,500 properties with a weekly food waste collection and this will shortly be doubled. One of the areas for this expansion is Frenchwood, where the rodent infestation problem exists.
Since the introduction of alternate weekly collections in 2001 the recycling rate for Preston has increased from 4.5% to a projected 31% for 2007/08. Households are provided with recycling boxes that are collected by the council.
Council spokesman Duncan Coward said: “For the type of authority we are, and with the demographics of the City, this is an excellent figure and we look to improve every year.”
So-called “traffic calming” measures have caused an ongoing issue between the public and local councils. There is a belief that some traffic calming measures do nothing to reduce the risk of accidents and are a waste of taxpayers’ money. The debate is that speed bumps can be dangerous for pedestrians crossing roads. It has even been suggested by locals that they can induce road rage.
One Ashton resident said: “Speed cameras are not necessary except in built up areas where there is a need to reduce speed.”
Meanwhile, some positive initiatives have been developed. Broadgate is experiencing some new traffic technology in the form of a speedometer. It has been installed to motivate drivers to watch their speed. If cars are travelling above 30mph the speedometer will show a “sad face”, while a speed below 30mph will show a “smiley face”. It is hoped this will encourage drivers to reduce their speed on the roads, particularly in residential areas.
If you have any concerns that you would like to raise, contact Preston City Council at 01772 906900 or at info@preston.gov.uk.
Campaigns to clean up the streets of Preston
Preston’s streets are getting some much-needed attention thanks to campaigner John Potter.
The Liberal Democrats candidate has been working with a team of volunteers to fix a variety of problems in certain areas of Preston.
John began the campaign because he believes the public are becoming disillusioned with the current council, who are accused of ignoring residents’ environmental issues.
There are a number of problems that the group has been working on including; littering and fly tipping, speeding cars, pensioner poverty and flood defences. The dedicated Riversway team has removed items such as fridge-freezers, mattresses and piles of bin bags.
Regions that have been affected are Broadgate, Fishergate Hill, Tulketh, Riversway and the Docklands. South Meadow Lane and Navigation Way have been targeted as areas where the speed limit is abused.
John said: “My idea was to bring politics right down to basics, helping people on a local, even street-by-street level.”
He admits that residents have emailed him instead of local councillors, to aid them with dilemmas on their streets.
John added: “People care about local issues. Are their streets safe and clean? Are their children OK to cross the road without the risk of cars speeding? Is anyone listening to their concerns? That’s what I'm doing in the ‘My Street Matters’ campaign.”
John and the Riversway Team are aiming to continue the work until Preston’s problem areas have been resolved to an acceptable level. He is also confident for the upcoming elections:
“My campaigns are striking a note with residents so a shock result may happen.”
Preston's Problem Areas:
View Larger Map
The Liberal Democrats candidate has been working with a team of volunteers to fix a variety of problems in certain areas of Preston.
John began the campaign because he believes the public are becoming disillusioned with the current council, who are accused of ignoring residents’ environmental issues.
There are a number of problems that the group has been working on including; littering and fly tipping, speeding cars, pensioner poverty and flood defences. The dedicated Riversway team has removed items such as fridge-freezers, mattresses and piles of bin bags.
Regions that have been affected are Broadgate, Fishergate Hill, Tulketh, Riversway and the Docklands. South Meadow Lane and Navigation Way have been targeted as areas where the speed limit is abused.
John said: “My idea was to bring politics right down to basics, helping people on a local, even street-by-street level.”
He admits that residents have emailed him instead of local councillors, to aid them with dilemmas on their streets.
John added: “People care about local issues. Are their streets safe and clean? Are their children OK to cross the road without the risk of cars speeding? Is anyone listening to their concerns? That’s what I'm doing in the ‘My Street Matters’ campaign.”
John and the Riversway Team are aiming to continue the work until Preston’s problem areas have been resolved to an acceptable level. He is also confident for the upcoming elections:
“My campaigns are striking a note with residents so a shock result may happen.”
Preston's Problem Areas:
View Larger Map
Friday, 4 April 2008
What's in store for the Digital Newsroom and the people in it?
The Digital Newsroom is an integral part of developing journalism. It merges input from a variety of mediums which are processed to create an immediate, accessible and reliable source of infotainment. For my patch (health) a good example of a story which incorporates all of these platforms is about parents learning knowledge of first aid. (http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/womenfamily.html?in_article_id=543989&in_page_id=1774&in_page_id=1774&expand=true)
The article provides information, instructions, guides, pictures, links to related articles and websites as well as audio and video links. There is also a health section with a forum.
Within this presentation we have considered interactivity, objectivity, democracy and blogging. Combining ideas about these topics will help us outline what is key in the future of digital journalism.
There is an argument that blogging creates more moral panic. Brian McNair says: “The rate of flow of this information, the immediacy and unpredictability of its content and its cognitive impact (dependent on individuals’ belief in the truth and reliability of their news), are the root cause of cultural chaos”. (McNair, 2005: 157).
The idea that citizen journalism is threatening the traditional journalism output may be true. However I think the bigger news corporations will have the resources to compete in the world of online media.
Blogger Kyle MacRae lists his views on the “interface between CJ and the mainstream media.” He writes: “When you turn on the user-generated tap, you risk getting drowned in content.” (http://www.fromthefrontline.co.uk/blogs/index.php?blog=15&title=10_things_we_can_say_about_citizen_journ&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)
Perhaps he has a point because trained journalists know how to structure content and what to include and leave out, whereas generally the average person has not been taught that type of expertise.
Editors and journalists are having to compete with all news areas of the online market. The Online Journalism Symposium states: “Journalists are reorganizing their routines, learning new skills and doing their best to work for multiplatform, multimedia operations.” (http://onlinejournalismsymposium.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/t-minus-24-hours/)
They are required to constantly update news and features, while at the same time keeping ideas fresh. The ones with successful formats will obviously thrive. If the basis is inadequate, consumers will find another source in order to get the necessary information. And with so much choice this is not a difficult concept.
The article provides information, instructions, guides, pictures, links to related articles and websites as well as audio and video links. There is also a health section with a forum.
Within this presentation we have considered interactivity, objectivity, democracy and blogging. Combining ideas about these topics will help us outline what is key in the future of digital journalism.
There is an argument that blogging creates more moral panic. Brian McNair says: “The rate of flow of this information, the immediacy and unpredictability of its content and its cognitive impact (dependent on individuals’ belief in the truth and reliability of their news), are the root cause of cultural chaos”. (McNair, 2005: 157).
The idea that citizen journalism is threatening the traditional journalism output may be true. However I think the bigger news corporations will have the resources to compete in the world of online media.
Blogger Kyle MacRae lists his views on the “interface between CJ and the mainstream media.” He writes: “When you turn on the user-generated tap, you risk getting drowned in content.” (http://www.fromthefrontline.co.uk/blogs/index.php?blog=15&title=10_things_we_can_say_about_citizen_journ&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)
Perhaps he has a point because trained journalists know how to structure content and what to include and leave out, whereas generally the average person has not been taught that type of expertise.
Editors and journalists are having to compete with all news areas of the online market. The Online Journalism Symposium states: “Journalists are reorganizing their routines, learning new skills and doing their best to work for multiplatform, multimedia operations.” (http://onlinejournalismsymposium.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/t-minus-24-hours/)
They are required to constantly update news and features, while at the same time keeping ideas fresh. The ones with successful formats will obviously thrive. If the basis is inadequate, consumers will find another source in order to get the necessary information. And with so much choice this is not a difficult concept.
Do people really want an early grave?
As a non-smoker who has never even tried a cigarette I can't understand why people do it. (Cue all the smokers giving me reasons!) I understand that nicotine can reduce stress and kids just do it to copy their friends but otherwise it baffles me.
I welcomed the smoking ban. There's nothing worse than sitting or standing in a haze of smoke all night, then the next morning all your clothes and hair stink of smoke. Bars and clubs don't seem to have lost that much trade because I believe there are less smokers in the younger generation. However I do feel sorry for the more traditional pubs who are losing out.
My parents were both smokers on and off for a long time. My mum developed asthma as a result and my dad had a minor stroke (this was not just down to smoking but it was a factor). Since then my dad has quit but has one very occasionally if he's stressed. My mum started up again last year - but this was only when she went to the pub on a weekend. I'm happy to say she's quit again and hasn't had one for 3 months. My 76 year old granfather also stopped after 60 years of smoking!!
It proves that smoking seriously harms your health but some people just don't seem to care!
The netdoctor website (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/) states: "
Scientists have identified an area of the genome that contains genes which increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers."
This is one of many links that scientists have made to smoking and cancer. It's not just lung cancer. Throat cancer can also develop as a result of heavy smoking. Peter Jackson, ex manager of my football team Huddersfield Town, revealed earlier this year that he has throat cancer. I used to interview him and rarely saw him without a cig in his hand. Luckily the survival rate for throat cancer sufferers is above 90% and I wish him all the best with his recovery.
Now I might sound like a hypocrite here. I'm not the healthiest person around and I do drink alcohol. Booze is one of the biggest killers in the UK and it can be easy to become addicted. I wouldn't let myself get like that but I do enjoy a drink when out socialising. So am I as bad as the smokers? They say drinking is OK in moderation, like most other things. However being a student "moderation" is never really considered! Me and some of my friends would fall under the 'binge drinking' category because we usually go out 1-2 nights during the week and then again at the weekend, all the while drinking above the recommended amount.
I have laid off the booze occasionally or opted to alternate beer with water or soft drinks. I'm aware that drinking alcohol can age you. People don't realise this until they start getting wrinkles before they're 30! Then there are the dreaded hangovers the day after the night before... and they're rarely worth it! The long term effects can be severe liver damage and increased memory loss.
After university I think drinking less will become easier. There is less pressure to go out and socialise. You can always say no, but there is a risk of feeling isolated and envious that your friends are out enjoying themselves without you. And also after uni we have to live in the real world and get jobs! This will leave less time for a social life and therefore less boozing. So at the moment I'm not worried, but I would advise anyone who is a heavy drinker and smoker to reassess what they're doing to themselves.
I welcomed the smoking ban. There's nothing worse than sitting or standing in a haze of smoke all night, then the next morning all your clothes and hair stink of smoke. Bars and clubs don't seem to have lost that much trade because I believe there are less smokers in the younger generation. However I do feel sorry for the more traditional pubs who are losing out.
My parents were both smokers on and off for a long time. My mum developed asthma as a result and my dad had a minor stroke (this was not just down to smoking but it was a factor). Since then my dad has quit but has one very occasionally if he's stressed. My mum started up again last year - but this was only when she went to the pub on a weekend. I'm happy to say she's quit again and hasn't had one for 3 months. My 76 year old granfather also stopped after 60 years of smoking!!
It proves that smoking seriously harms your health but some people just don't seem to care!
The netdoctor website (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/) states: "
 |
This is one of many links that scientists have made to smoking and cancer. It's not just lung cancer. Throat cancer can also develop as a result of heavy smoking. Peter Jackson, ex manager of my football team Huddersfield Town, revealed earlier this year that he has throat cancer. I used to interview him and rarely saw him without a cig in his hand. Luckily the survival rate for throat cancer sufferers is above 90% and I wish him all the best with his recovery.
Now I might sound like a hypocrite here. I'm not the healthiest person around and I do drink alcohol. Booze is one of the biggest killers in the UK and it can be easy to become addicted. I wouldn't let myself get like that but I do enjoy a drink when out socialising. So am I as bad as the smokers? They say drinking is OK in moderation, like most other things. However being a student "moderation" is never really considered! Me and some of my friends would fall under the 'binge drinking' category because we usually go out 1-2 nights during the week and then again at the weekend, all the while drinking above the recommended amount.
I have laid off the booze occasionally or opted to alternate beer with water or soft drinks. I'm aware that drinking alcohol can age you. People don't realise this until they start getting wrinkles before they're 30! Then there are the dreaded hangovers the day after the night before... and they're rarely worth it! The long term effects can be severe liver damage and increased memory loss.
After university I think drinking less will become easier. There is less pressure to go out and socialise. You can always say no, but there is a risk of feeling isolated and envious that your friends are out enjoying themselves without you. And also after uni we have to live in the real world and get jobs! This will leave less time for a social life and therefore less boozing. So at the moment I'm not worried, but I would advise anyone who is a heavy drinker and smoker to reassess what they're doing to themselves.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Cancer patients funding
I came across an article today regarding a leukemia sufferer who is being refused financial support for a bone marrow transplant.
The article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7257691.stm) states that 68 year-old Alan Francis of Llanelli, Wales, had found a donor in Australia and the operation was scheduled for next month. However he received a phone call saying that funding for the operation had been witheld so it could no longer take place.
Like Mr Francis, I cannot understand how flying some bone marrow from Australia to Wales can be that expensive. Organisations like the NHS (or the HCW in this case) have a duty to help ill people, who have paid taxes all their life, especially if their illness is life-threatening.
It is a subject close to my heart as my step-mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2006. Thankfully she was given the all clear after 12 months of treatment. Had she not been allowed this treatment she would not have survived. I hope Mr Francis finds a way of having the operation he needs.
The article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7257691.stm) states that 68 year-old Alan Francis of Llanelli, Wales, had found a donor in Australia and the operation was scheduled for next month. However he received a phone call saying that funding for the operation had been witheld so it could no longer take place.
Like Mr Francis, I cannot understand how flying some bone marrow from Australia to Wales can be that expensive. Organisations like the NHS (or the HCW in this case) have a duty to help ill people, who have paid taxes all their life, especially if their illness is life-threatening.
It is a subject close to my heart as my step-mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2006. Thankfully she was given the all clear after 12 months of treatment. Had she not been allowed this treatment she would not have survived. I hope Mr Francis finds a way of having the operation he needs.
Monday, 11 February 2008
Journalism task
A task in one of my journalism modules - the digital newsroom - is to produce a group presentation covering 4 subjects; entertainment, sport, health and politics.
The question is: "Defining digital: Does the type and style of coverage of news on the web help us define the digital newsroom?"
My part of the presentation will focus on health, and in preparation for it I am planning on posting blogs surrounding the research of the topic.
Meanwhile, these are links to my group members' blogs:
http://www.jonnysaunders.blogspot.com/
http://www.kaytaylordigitalnewsroom.blogspot.com/
The question is: "Defining digital: Does the type and style of coverage of news on the web help us define the digital newsroom?"
My part of the presentation will focus on health, and in preparation for it I am planning on posting blogs surrounding the research of the topic.
Meanwhile, these are links to my group members' blogs:
http://www.jonnysaunders.blogspot.com/
http://www.kaytaylordigitalnewsroom.blogspot.com/
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