Health promotion Resources

A leg ulcer can be defined as a break in a person’s skin which becomes chronic in nature and takes longer than two weeks to heal (NHS UK, 2019). Evidence outlined by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that the prevalence of leg ulcers in the United Kingdom is around one percent over a lifetime, which still describes a large number of people (NICE 2022; Lim et al, 2018). The prevalence of leg ulcers continues to rise and a shift in lifestyle factors, including smoking and obesity, have contributed to this (Agale, 2013). Further risk factors for developing leg ulcers include immobility, advancing age, a history of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and having a sedentary lifestyle (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network [SIGN], 2010; Lim et al, 2018). The challenge of caring for these chronic wounds often falls to staff in primary care. Therefore, they should have a good understanding of leg ulcers and how best to treat them. In the author’s opinion, Leg Clubs® provide an ideal opportunity to manage lower limb wounds, while also tackling the wider holistic issues of leg ulcers, such as social isolation and loneliness.

Cigarette smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of ill health and death. Despite a continued decline, figures show that 14.4% or six million adults still smoke in the UK, with those aged between 25 and 34 years being the highest smokers (Action on Smoking and Health [ASH], 2019). The White Paper, ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People’ (Department of Health [DH], 2011) recognises the impact that smoking has among younger people in England.

There are currently approximately 2.5 million people in the UK living with, or recovering from, cancer and it is further estimated that 1.8 million of these people will have at least one other longterm health condition. Community nurses have a responsibility to promote health at every opportunity when supporting those living with, and recovering from, cancer. The cancer care review is one aspect of the patient’s recovery package, which aims to help them recover from cancer and its treatment and identifies their individual concerns and support needs. The benefit of the recovery package is that it enables patients completing cancer treatment to take more control of their own care. In trying to help patients to improve their own health they will need support to think about devising an action plan should new concerns or symptoms arise. This article examines how a recovery package can, through assessment and monitoring, help to identify potential problems as well as offering preemptive support for those adapting to the diverse life changes associated with cancer.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and lifelong disability, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. The risk factors of stroke are well-known and many are modifiable through lifestyle adjustments, however, the incidence of first-time stroke is increasing year-on-year. Primary stroke prevention is an important health promotion issue and successful implementation could lead to a reduction in the incidence of stroke and relieve a costly burden to the NHS. Nurses play an important role in providing information and advice to patients in secondary prevention of stroke, and could play an equal role in primary prevention. Providing advice on lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and exercise all fall under the remit of the nurse in health promotion and in secondary stroke care. By providing a primary prevention service, community nurses could work as case managers for a larger multidisciplinary team and provide prevention advice and treatment.

Carol Postle-Hacon gives a critical analysis of the Health of the Nation White Paper ­ key area mental health, with particular regard to depression in the elderly.

Loraine Roberts describes some of the factors which can affect a client's ability or willingness to comply with treatment guidelines for stress incontinence.

Carol Clarke explores the notion that low self-esteem can be a barrier to health promoting behaviour

Sangita Patel and Elizabeth Yea describe a health promotion activity which involved facilitating a group of clients in the 65 or over age range in addressing their health needs.

School Nurse Gill Stansefield describes how a 'Drop In' service was developed in schools thorughout Barnsley.

Gill Stansfield, RGN, HVCert., BMedSc (Hons), is a school nurse Specialist Practitioner, Barnsley Community & Priority Services NHS Trust, South Yorkshire.

Article accepted for publication February 2001.