Public health - BMJ Group

Major US tobacco brands flouting platform + federal policies to restrict young people’s access to their content on Instagram

Violations include lax/missing age verification, sponsorship disclosure, and health warnings Leading US tobacco brands are flouting platform and federal marketing policies designed to restrict young people’s access to their content on the popular social media platform Instagram, indicates research published online in the journal Tobacco Control. Violations include lax or missing ...

2026-01-28T09:58:38+00:0028 January 2026|Press release, Tobacco Control|

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UK glaucoma cases higher than expected and projected to reach 1.6 million+ by 2060

Equivalent to 60% rise, which outpaces 28% population increase in those aged 40+ Eye health services will need to expand to meet demand, highlight the researchers The number of people over 40 in the UK living with glaucoma—the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide—is already higher than expected and is ...

2026-01-21T09:43:09+00:0021 January 2026|British Journal of Ophthalmology, Press release|

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Precautionary approach to alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks needed to protect public health, say experts

Alcohol-free and low alcohol (“nolo”) drinks have the potential to improve public health, but experts in The BMJ today call for a precautionary approach that maximises potential benefits (eg. increased substitution of alcoholic drinks with nolo alternatives) while minimising risks (eg. preventing encroachment of nolo drinks into alcohol-free spaces). Sales of alcohol-free ...

2026-01-15T09:55:26+00:0015 January 2026|Press release, The BMJ|

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Home fingertip oxygen monitors less accurate for people with darker skin tones

Largest study on this topic suggests that measurement errors lead to potential delays in care and contribute to health disparities Fingertip monitors known as pulse oximeters that can be used at home to detect low blood oxygen levels (hypoxaemia) give higher readings for patients with darker than lighter skin tones, ...

2026-01-15T09:51:25+00:0015 January 2026|Press release, The BMJ|

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Phone apps nearly 3 times as good as no/basic support for quitting smoking long term

If high quality clinical trials confirm lasting benefits and key features, apps could become cornerstone of global tobacco control efforts, suggest researchers Smartphone apps—particularly those based on psychological theories—are 3 times as effective as no/minimal support at helping people who smoke stub out their tobacco use long term, suggests a ...

2026-01-14T09:39:54+00:0014 January 2026|BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, Press release|

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Stopping weight loss drugs linked to weight regain and reversal of heart health markers

Average regain is 0.4kg/month and all weight lost likely to be regained in under 2 years Weight regain faster after stopping weight loss drugs than after dietary weight loss programmes Stopping weight loss drugs is followed by weight regain and reversal of beneficial effects on heart and metabolic health markers ...

2026-01-08T09:43:12+00:008 January 2026|Press release, The BMJ|

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Living in substandard housing linked to kids’ missed schooling and poor grades

Improving their living conditions may benefit both health and exam results, say researchers Children living in substandard housing in England miss 15 more school days and achieve worse test scores in English and maths than their peers living in better quality housing, suggests research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology ...

2025-12-17T09:56:49+00:0017 December 2025|Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, Press release|

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Concern over growing use of AI chatbots to stave off loneliness

Experts warn of a generation learning to form emotional bonds with entities that lack the capacity for empathy and care AI chatbot systems, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot, are used increasingly as confidants of choice, but turning to AI chatbots for companionship and emotional support is a cause for ...

2025-12-12T12:25:49+00:0012 December 2025|Press release, The BMJ|

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Concern over harmful medical advice from social media influencers

Experts call for coordinated action by governments and platforms to protect the public Biased or misleading medical advice shared by social media influencers can cause harm and requires coordinated action by governments and platforms to protect the public, argue experts in The BMJ today. Social media influencers are a growing source of ...

2025-12-04T10:04:49+00:004 December 2025|Press release, The BMJ|

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AI is a ‘third party’ in the consultation room, say experts

New BMJ series explores how AI is reshaping traditional doctor-patient interactions and considers its implications for healthcare AI is fast becoming a third party in the consultation room, reshaping the traditional two way doctor-patient relationship with important ethical and practical implications, say experts in The BMJ today. A new BMJ series provides insights into this technological ...

2025-11-18T12:12:14+00:0018 November 2025|Press release, The BMJ|

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