Birmingham’s annual settlement to fund public health services has been announced to be £108 million in 2025/26. This confirms an increase to the existing annual public health grant of 3%. The government funding, announced on 7th February, will be used to continue driving vital services such as smoking cessation, addiction recovery, health visitors, school nurses, sexual health clinics, and public health support for local NHS services. It supports the government’s 10-year plan to shift the focus from treatment to local prevention programmes tailored to communities, which it hopes will reduce pressures on the NHS. This, in turn, supports Birmingham City…

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) takes place every year on 6 February and is a day dedicated to raising awareness of and taking action against this harmful practice that affects millions of women and girls globally. FGM is when the female genitals are deliberately cut, altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It’s also known as female circumcision or cutting, but has many other names including sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez or khitan. The consequences of FGM are severe and can have lifelong physical, psychological and social implications. It’s important to remember that FGM is…

Early diagnosis of HIV means that those living with it can access treatment which allows them to live as long as anyone else. Effective treatment can also stop people passing on HIV, when the amount of virus in the blood is reduced to undetectable levels. Currently, there are 387 people in Walsall living with HIV. Walsall has a lower HIV testing rate and a higher proportion of people diagnosed late than the national average.  HIV Testing Week takes place every February to promote regular testing in England. The campaign also encourages people to be part of the generation that ends…

Walsall Council’s planning committee has this evening approved proposals that will see a major transformation of the arrival experience to Walsall town centre. Approval has been granted to remodel the Saddlers Centre to create a more open and attractive arrival experience for train passengers whilst also opening up Park Street. Butler’s Passage, which has in the past been the centre of antisocial behaviour, will disappear as some of the buildings are removed to create a large open walkway, connecting the rail and bus hubs. Increased lighting, better landscaping and improved accessibility all form part of the proposals, with considerations made…

Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for beauty-enhancement. This article on skin care tips is an effort to bring the 10 best skin care tips to you. The list of skin care tips has been restricted to 10 because anything more that that would not only be difficult to remember, but also shadow the more important skin care tips. So let’s see what these top ten skin care tips are: * Knowing your skin type is one of the most important skin care tip. This is important because not every skin care product suits everyone. In…

Drinking a cup of warm lemon water every morning is one of the simplest, most affordable and natural ways to improve your health which has incredible benefits on your health. Energises your Body It gives your body a lasting boost of energy, making it a healthier alternative to your morning tea or coffee. Healthy Digestion The minerals and vitamins found in lemon juice encourages healthy digestion, reduces heartburn and bloating by loosening any toxins trapped in your digestive tract. Rich Source of Potassium Lemons are also a great source of potassium which helps keep your heart healthy, build muscle, and…

Being flued up is no uncommon occurrence during the chilly Winter Season. With the air being less humid in winter, flu viruses can live for longer periods indoors, where we spend most of our time if the weather’s looking dreary! Therefore, germs and bacteria can spread easier from one person or place to another. So, beware and follow the advice below to combat the flu this winter! Stay at home –  Take valuable time off school or work if you’re feeling unwell. Put your upcoming work and errands on hold until you feel better or you’ll just end up feeling…

Walsall Council Cabinet will meet to discuss and approve the strategy for playing pitches and outdoor sport facilities in the borough. The new Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy (PPOSS) will guide future use, investment, planning decisions, and management of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities in Walsall. The strategy aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of outdoor sports facilities within the community, fostering health, well-being, and community engagement. The updated PPOSS provides a robust needs assessment for evaluating development proposals, directing investment, managing outdoor sports facilities, and seeking funding. It expands the number of covered sports from 5…

A study involving nearly half a million people in China reveals a clear link between cooking with wood or coal, and an increased risk of major eye diseases that can lead to blindness, according to a report published today in PLOS Medicine. About half the world’s population – 3.8 billion individuals – are exposed to household air pollution from cooking using ‘dirty’ solid fuels, such as coal and wood.1 While previous studies have reported a possible link between cooking with solid fuels and an increased risk of cataracts in women, it is unclear whether similar associations also exist with other…

Maintaining good posture is a daily struggle for many of us. Whether you’re working on your feet or at a desk, it’s all too easy to slump into bad habits.  You probably know that sitting and standing poorly is bad for your back, but do you know about the trouble it could be causing for the rest of your body?  Below, we look at some of the most common side-effects of bad posture – some of which might even surprise you.  Pain  This may be the most obvious consequence of bad posture, but sometimes it can be difficult to connect…