No drug comes near to matching the benefits of improved health

THE doctor who writes the very respected medical column for Private Eye magazine says this in the current issue: “Lifestyle modifications... not only would improve Covid recovery but would also reduce the risk of the far more common non-Covid harms (cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, mental illness etc).

There is very strong evidence of health improvements from stopping smoking, cutting alcohol, better sleep, better diet, regular relaxation and exercise.

No drug comes near to matching these benefits.

For a fraction of the cost of containing Covid, we could have improved the health of the poorest: big increases in years of healthy living; fewer premature deaths from just about all causes”.

This is from a very experienced doctor and published author. Makes you think. People have pointed this out for years.

If you want to improve your health in this pandemic and reduce your Covid risk, you know what you can do. And the local authority – the city council and WECA – can do their bit by providing the necessary safe cycle lanes and walking routes, and the low-traffic neighbourhoods which some people call “Mini Hollands”.

Despite the hills, Bristol has more people walking to work and study than any other major UK city. That’s great for health. More please!

The 20mph limits certainly help. Who knows how many lives they have saved so far because people are safer and so get out more to walk or cycle? They also help create more liveable neighbourhoods and so increase those vital personal connections.

People who opposed 20mph limits city-wide in Bristol were opposing health. We know from the evidence that over a 10-year period, they save over 40 lives, prevent over 100 serious injuries and save the NHS £150 million.

The current mayor played politics with these safer speeds, which are a public health measure. It will be interesting to see who proposes to make Bristol a healthier city in the 2021 election for mayor.

John Clarkson Bristol