Dear colleagues
I wanted to update you on two important events happening in
the last few weeks.
The first was the memorial event for Dr Ann McPherson, a founding
member of the AHG and a former Chair; held at Oxford May 8th.. Echoing
the moving commemoration of her life’s work held a year ago, the day was both inspiring and sobering
as the audience mourned her passing but also gave thanks for her limitless achievements.
Clare Gerada gave the closing address-available through the weekly Chair’s blog released 11/5/12
entitled ‘A spring in my step’ @ www.news@email.rcgp.org.uk
which is well worth a read and a pause for thought.
The second event is the series of papers on Adolescent Health,
published in the Lancet, April 25th.
They are an excellent resource for those of us who recognize
that young people the world over have been given a poor deal and they outline the
evidence with regard to why this is so detrimental for young people both now and
in the future.
The Lancet home page currently links to a podcast of Prof Michel
Marmot, a co-author of one of the series, who calls the increasing rates of unemployment
for young people ‘a
public health emergency’. With increasing numbers of young people ‘not in
education, employment or training’ (NEET) we are seeing an increase in poor
mental health, suicide and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
This should surely be unacceptable in one of the richest
countries of the world ?
Do visit the series and check out the podcast.
With best wishes
Jane
