Smoking bans linked to healthier outcomes for children

In this co-authored blog, Victoria Simms and Jennifer Hanratty consider a recent systematic review, which aimed to assess the effectiveness of the introduction of smoke-free legislation on child health outcomes.

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To nap or not to nap?

Jennifer Hanratty critically appraises and summarises a new systematic review of napping, child health and development from 0-5 years, which suggests that children should stop taking day-time naps at age 2 or risk disrupting their night-time sleep.

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Bereavement during childhood, but not before birth, is associated with an increased risk of psychosis

Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, are often conceptualised as arising from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences (Tandon 2008). The impact of social influences on the risk of psychotic experience is undeniable. Recent reviews of this topic have called for a focus on maternal wellbeing as a means of primary prevention for mental [read the full story…]