Behind the Headlines

Norovirus outbreak

Wednesday Dec 5 2012

Many newspapers are reporting on the Health Protection Agency’s latest figures on the ongoing outbreak of norovirus – the so-called winter vomiting disease. The data suggest that cases of the virus, which are usually highest after Christmas, are high...

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Cancer cases rise, but more people survive

Friday Dec 7 2012

New cancer statistics for the UK have hit the headlines, with most papers reporting that fewer people are dying from the disease, despite a rise in the numbers being diagnosed...

If 'drugs don’t work' for depression, CBT may

Friday Dec 7 2012

'Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can reduce symptoms of depression in people who fail to respond to drug treatment' according to BBC News. The headlines are prompted by a new study looking at how depression responds to 'talking treatments'…

Ten years of tamoxifen ups cancer survival rates

Thursday Dec 6 2012

'Breast cancer deaths halved if patients given "wonder drug" tamoxifen for 10 years, not five,' reports the Daily Mail. This headline is based on a study of the effectiveness...

Childless couples who wanted kids 'die younger'

Thursday Dec 6 2012

Childlessness “may increase likelihood of early death” BBC News has reported. The story is based on a study of more than 21,000 Danish couples seeking IVF treatment. Researchers found that women who did not go on to have a child...

Does a tomato a day keep depression away?

Wednesday Dec 5 2012

'Yet another good reason to tuck into that salad: Eating tomatoes could ward off depression' is the claim in the Daily Mail. It is based on a new study looking at whether there was an association between reported tomato consumption and depression…

Premature birth survival rates on the rise

Wednesday Dec 5 2012

'Premature babies study shows survival rates on rise' is the headline in The Guardian, which is one of many sources reporting the news that survival rates for babies born between 22 and 25 weeks have risen overall since 1995...

Asperger's dropped from mental health manual DSM-5

Tuesday Dec 4 2012

'Asperger's syndrome dropped from psychiatrists' handbook', is the headline in The Guardian. The news is based on an American Psychiatric Association (APA) press release...

Nostalgia really can give some people a 'warm glow'

Tuesday Dec 4 2012

"Nostalgia 'warms the hands as well as the heart'," reports The Daily Telegraph. Its headline is prompted by research that explores whether nostalgia, often defined as emotional "warmth" about past events, is triggered by colder temperatures...

Not touching face may help cut flu risk

Monday Dec 3 2012

'Want to avoid flu? Stop touching your face!' is the advice in the Daily Mail. It is based on a recent study in Brazil which found that on average, people touched their face 3.6 times per hour, which could make frequent hand washing less effective…