The Scottish government has confirmed that it will set a minimum price per unit for alcohol. The planned 50p per unit is higher than the 40p per unit price planned for England and Wales. The Scottish Government hope the measure will reduce the health problems caused by excessive drinking and they have some thorough research [...]
Jerry the Bear
The story of Jerry the Bear is inspirational on a number of levels. This is a bear with a difference – a teddy designed to help children diagnosed with diabetes manage and understand their condition. Jerry’s eyelids can close to show he is low in energy, until he is fed certain foods or given a [...]
Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday
One of the key components I look for in a behaviour change project or programme is a clear call to action. Ideally an array of actions that can allow people with different motivations and resources to engage. I came across the very worthwhile Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday this week. Launched by USAID, the [...]
Every mother counts
Did you know that a woman dies every 90 seconds from complications of pregnancy? 90% of deaths are preventable. As Mothers Day approaches next weekend it’s timely to look at Every Mother Counts. Every Mother Counts seeks to engage new audiences to better understand the challenges and the solutions to maternal health while encouraging them [...]
Tips to increase chlamydia screening
The aim of this project was to increase screening activity within screening sites that are part of the Norfolk and Waveney Chlamydia Screening Programme (NWCSP) with the ultimate goal being to help the programme meet increasingly challenging national targets for screening 15- to 24-year-olds. The NWCSP is delivered by over 200 health and non-health screening [...]
Reaching Routine and Manual workers that want to stop smoking
With the advent of plain packaging for cigarettes already in place in Australia and in the pipeline in New Zealand a stop smoking campaign is a good choice for this week’s case-study. We note the Australian High Court has reserved its judgement on the action by British American Tobacco and JT International which claims the [...]
Sub21
Sub21 is an award-winning social marketing project aimed to reduce underage street drinking and antisocial behaviour in North Tyneside, England. The detailed case-study is featured on the NSMC Showcase database. Research with young people and off-licences identified three main drivers for underage street drinking: lack of suitable alternative activities; cheap, easy supply of alcohol; and [...]
Give it up for Baby
We are all familiar with commercial companies offering incentives to try or buy products or take part in a survey but many have strong reservations about paying or rewarding people to, for example immunise their babies or give us smoking. Personally, I feel if financial incentives work they should be considered and used. Give it [...]
Water For People
Yesterday – March 22 – was UN World Water Day, which is a good opportunity to take a moment and consider some of the organisations which are dedicated to bringing this basic human right to people around the world. Water For People is an international organisation which brings together local entrepreneurs, governments, and communities to [...]
50 ideas
The advocacy organisation Women Deliver recently released a list of 50 ideas and solutions that support girls and women across the world. As Jill Sheffield, Women Deliver Founder and President said, “The solutions on this list show that with ingenuity, drive and dedication, we can build a better world for girls and women. With that [...]