Access to health information allows people to take a more active role in their health care by making them more informed about their health and the management of their illnesses. The internet is an increasingly popular way for people to obtain this kind of health information, but there are many barriers that prevent people making full use of such information. In particular, people may lack the motivation or the skills to use the internet. In a recent systematic review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Josip Car and colleagues examined whether teaching people to find, evaluate or use online health information (online health literacy) improves those skills and improves their health. They found only two studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. They concluded that there is limited evidence on which to draw conclusions about the effect of these interventions and that further high-quality research on this topic was necessary.
As the NHS braces for a challenging winter season, it is grappling with a "quad-demic" of health emergencies caused by influenza, Covid-19, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This confluence of viral threats poses a significant risk to public health in the UK as well as putting strain on healthcare resources, emphasising the importance of preventive measures to safeguard public health. Public health measures such a vaccination and good personal hygiene are pivotal in reducing the impact of these illnesses, particularly for vulnerable groups. The Four Viruses: What Are They? Influenza: A highly contagious respiratory infection that causes significant illness each winter. It can lead to severe complications, particularly in the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions. Covid-19: Though its most acute phase has passed, Covid-19 remains a concern, especially as new variants of SA...
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