Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Are We ‘All Talk-No Action’ When it Comes to Our Health?
47 percent of adults admit to talking more about getting healthy than doing it.
When it comes to our health and wellbeing, Britain is a nation of ‘all talk and no action’ according to a survey.

Despite almost half of adults (46 percent) believing they need to think more about leading a healthy lifestyle, the same amount (47 percent) admit to spending a lot more time talking about getting healthy than actually doing anything about it. And a third of adults (33 percent) say they wouldn’t even know where to start.

Women own up to being the worst offenders with one in two (48 percent) of 45-64-year-olds saying they are more inclined to give advice about being healthy than take it (31 percent for men of the same age).

The survey also revealed that although people around the 40 year old mark are much less knowledgeable about their own health and fitness than their parents – 69 per cent having no idea about their blood pressure, compared to 27 percent of people over 65 – they spend more time worrying about it. Top of the list of concerns for mid-lifers as they get older is keeping fit and active (81 percent), with staying slim at 73 percent and 70 percent worrying about their emotional wellbeing.

Other key highlights from mid-lifers surveyed include:
  • Over two-thirds (68 percent) of women are often more concerned about their family’s wellbeing than their own as they get older, more so than men of the same age (52 percent).
  • People of mid-life age were less worried about how much alcohol they drink, with nearly two thirds (61 percent) of 45-64 year olds not worried about it at all.
  • A third (34 percent) only think about their health when they become ill or are feeling down.
  • Over three in four women (76 percent) worry about their emotional wellbeing as they get older, more than men of the same age (63 percent).

(The mid-lifers target age range were those people aged 45-64 years of age.)

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.