New drink code shunned by six key health bodies

[oldironside]

"Andrew Lansley stands by strategy to beat alcohol misuse despite being told responsibility deal will not work

Six health organisations have walked away from the government's "responsibility deal" on alcohol, saying that health secretary Andrew Lansley has allowed the industry to drive through a series of insignificant pledges that will do nothing to reduce drink-related illness and deaths.

The deal, due to be announced on Tuesday, will see supermarkets, pubs and drinks manufacturers pledge to do their bit to reduce harmful drinking, such as labelling bottles and cans with the number of alcohol units. Other pledges will be made by the food and fitness industries.

Health representatives on the alcohol panel, which has been meeting for several months, say the government listened to industry and refused to allow issues that could make a difference, such as price and promotion to children, to be discussed."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/14/drink-code-shunned-health-bodies

Why am I not surprised? A Tory health minister ignoring professional bodies and listening to the drinks industry whilst formulating health policy.

[non sociopath skin]

1. Alll part of the strategy, right?

The Medical Profession - sorry, business - in the States doesn't do preventative medicine because it impacts on income. Heart and Cancer patients are worth Big Bucks, fit people aren't.

In seeking to remodel healthcare along American lines, the Tory-led Coalition obviously wants to do likewise.

The Skin

[oldironside]

2. As one of the interviewees in Super Size Me says...

"In the US we don't do healthcare. We only have sickcare."