Low-income groups and behaviour change interventions: a review of intervention content, effectiveness and theoretical frameworks.

Background: Interventions to change health-related behaviours have potential to increase health inequalities.

Methods: This review investigated the effectiveness of interventions targeting low-income groups to reduce smoking or increase physical activity and/or healthy eating. Of 9766 papers identified by the search strategy, 13 met the inclusion criteria.

Smoke-free legislation and mental health units: the challenges ahead.

Under the proposed English Health Act regulations most mental health units will have to be smoke-free, although patients will be able to smoke outside. Implementing the regulations will be challenging but may also be an opportunity for a more holistic approach focusing on the physical and psychological health of patients.

Nanny or steward? The role of government in public health.

The past year has witnessed contentious debates about public health in England around smoking bans, alcohol licencing, food labelling and junk food advertising. Some people argue that any government intervention in these areas is 'nanny statist'--an unnecessary intrusion into people's lives and what they do, eat and drink. Others argue that only the state can alter the environment that shapes people's decisions and behaviour.

Food procurement. Making a meal of it.

The NHS needs to explore alternative approaches to food procurement in the interests of good nutrition and waste reduction. Other European countries have interpreted EU regulations on public sector procurement in ways which allow them to buy local produce. Many trusts are unsure about their powers to implement changes in food procurement.

Human immunodeficiency virus and migrant labor in South Africa.

The authors investigate the impact of the migrant labor system on heterosexual relationships on South African mines and assess the implications for the future transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The migrant labor system has created a market for prostitution in mining towns and geographic networks of relationships within and between urban and rural communities. A section of the migrant workforce and a group of women dependent on prostitution for economic support appear especially vulnerable to contracting HIV infection since they are involved in multiple sexual encounters with different, changing partners, usually without condom protection.