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By Vijay Kumar Malesu Jun 12 2024 Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers evaluated the impact of the United Kingdom (UK) Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) on childhood asthma hospital admission rates in England. 

Study:  The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy and childhood hospital admissions for asthma in England . Image Credit: VDZ3 Media/Shutterstock.com Background 

The UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommends that free sugar consumption be below 5% of total energy intake. Still, current intake levels are at least twice this and three times higher in adolescents.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of free sugar and are linked to non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as asthma. A meta-analysis found higher asthma prevalence among high SSB consumers.

The UK SDIL, implemented in April 2018, aimed to reduce sugar content in drinks. Further research is needed to explore the long-term health impacts of the UK SDIL and to understand the underlying mechanisms linking sugar reduction to decreased asthma incidence. About the study 

National Health Service (NHS) hospital admissions for asthma (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code: J45) in children aged 5-18 years were analyzed using Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data.

Analyses were conducted overall by age groups (5-9, 10-14, and 15-18 years) and by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile. Admissions for children under five were excluded due to diagnostic challenges.

The study period was from January 2012 to February 2020, encompassing the SDIL announcement (March 2016) and implementation (April 2018) and ending before the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown to avoid confounding factors.

Interrupted time series (ITS) analyses evaluated the impact of the SDIL on childhood asthma admissions, comparing observed rates to a counterfactual scenario without the SDIL. Groupwise admissions were converted to incidence rates per 100,000 population, with models adjusted for months with significant changes in admission rates. Related StoriesDelayed multiple sclerosis diagnosis underscores need for urgent research and awareness boost, report findResearch reveals light's impact on metabolism beyond circadian rhythmsMast cells and PGE2: Key players in controlling asthma inflammation

Counterfactual scenarios were modeled using pre-announcement data, with confidence intervals estimated by the delta method. Autocorrelation was addressed using Durbin-Watson tests and autocorrelation-moving average (ARIMA) models to minimize the Akaike information criterion (AIC).

Statistical analyses were performed in R version 4.1.0. Data were provided in an aggregated, anonymized state and obtained through a data-sharing agreement with NHS Digital.  Study results 

The mean incidence rates of hospital admissions for asthma in children during the pre-announcement and post-announcement periods reveal significant inequalities. Children from the most deprived areas experienced nearly three times the hospital admission rates for asthma compared to those from the least deprived areas, with rates of 26.4/100,000 persons/month (p/m) and 9.3/100,000 p/m, respectively.

Additionally, younger children had higher incidence rates, with those aged 5-9 having approximately double the rate of hospital admissions compared to children aged 15-18 years.

In children aged 5-18 years, there was an overall absolute reduction in hospital admissions for asthma of 4.0 (2.4, 5.7)/100,000 p/m, or a relative reduction of 20.9% (95% CI: 29.6, 12.2), compared to the counterfactual scenario where the SDIL was neither announced nor implemented.

Upward trends in overall asthma admissions were observed until a few months after the SDIL announcement, followed by a downward trend. Seasonal variations showed dips in admissions in April and August, coinciding with school holidays, and large spikes in early autumn, particularly in September.

This peak in September aligns with the start of the school year, a time associated with increased exposure to respiratory viruses, allergens, and stress, as well as lapses in the routine use of preventer inhalers during the summer.

Each age group demonstrated upward trends in asthma hospital admissions from the start of the study period. However, significant reductions were observed 22 months after the implementation of the SDIL compared to the counterfactual scenario.

Children aged 5-9 and 10-14 years experienced relative reductions of 18.6% (95% CI: 30.0, 7.2) and 24.3% (95% CI: 32.1, 16.5), respectively, with visualizations indicating a reversal of the upward trend post-SDIL announcement.

Adolescents aged 15-18 years saw a relative reduction of 15.6% (95% CI: 19.7, 11.5), with a flattening but not a reversal of the pre-announcement upward trend in hospital admissions.

Hospital admissions for childhood asthma decreased across all deprivation groups. Absolute reductions were 4.8 (7.4, 2.3)/100,000 p/m in the most deprived quintiles and 3.4 (4.4, 2.3)/100,000 p/m in the least deprived quintiles.

Relative reductions were 15.5% (95% CI: 23.7, 7.2) and 26.4% (95% CI: 34.6, 18.1), respectively. Absolute reductions were relatively consistent across different IMD quintiles, though there was evidence of higher relative reductions in less deprived areas.  Conclusions 

The findings align with previous studies linking SSB consumption to asthma, but this quasi-experimental design offers stronger evidence for a causal relationship.

The results suggest that similar SSB taxes in other countries could reduce hospital admissions for childhood asthma and improve public health. Journal reference:

Rogers, N.T., Cummins, S., Jones, C.P. et al. (2024) The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy and childhood hospital admissions for asthma in England. Nat Commun. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49120-4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49120-4 

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‘I still have hope’: Parents of IDF soldier taken hostage by Hamas fear he’ll be one of last freed

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'I still have hope': Parents of IDF soldier taken hostage by Hamas fear he'll be one of last freed

Yehuda searches through a downstairs room looking for a plastic bag containing the most precious of objects.

It’s a small, blackened Rubik’s Cube that belongs to Yehuda’s son Nimrod – one of 20 living Israeli hostages still being held by the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza.

It was found in Nimrod’s burnt-out tank after the October 7th attacks.

“He likes PlayStation and Rubik’s Cube,” says Nimrod’s mother, Vicky.

“They found the Rubik’s Cube in the tank. It was complete but a little bit dark and they brought it back to us.”

Stills from Holland PKG of Vicky Cohen whose son Nimrod Cohen, an 19 y/o IDF soldier, who is being held hostage by Hamas
Image:
Vicky Cohen

We spoke to Nimrod’s parents Yehuda and Vicky about the emotional rollercoaster hostage families in Israel are going through – as hope rises and fades of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

“I still have hope that maybe I will see Nimrod again,” says Vicky.

“It almost breaks my heart because I still had expectation,” she says – in spite of the latest failure to find resolution in talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha.

“But I still have hope that maybe something good will happen,” she says.

Rubik's cube owned by Nimrod Cohen, an 19 y/o IDF soldier, who is being held hostage by Hamas
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Nimrod’s charred Rubik’s Cube

Vicky says: “We heard [during] the last weeks, President Trump saying we will hear about a ceasefire soon – next week – in a few days.

“We heard our prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] say visiting Washington and meeting Trump was very successful – and heard members of the coalition talking about our prime minister eventually understanding he needs to end the war. But until now nothing.”

The delegation coming back to Israel doesn’t mean a total collapse of ceasefire talks, but US envoy Steve Witkoff said the response to the latest ceasefire proposals by Hamas showed “a lack of desire”.

And so the rollercoaster of emotion for the hostage families continues.

Middle East latest: Gaza aid airdrops a ‘smokescreen’

Nimrod Cohen, an 19 y/o IDF soldier, who is being held hostage by Hamas
Image:
Nimrod

Nimrod’s father Yehuda Cohen said: “Of course it’s a disappointment but it’s not the first one. A long time ago I learned not to get my expectations up so the disappointment won’t be too deep.

“The solution is very simple – I’ve got it on my shirt – ceasefire and hostage deal. Meaning the only way to get all the hostages is ending the war.”

Stills from Holland PKG on Yehuda Cohen (pictured) whose son Nimrod Cohen is being held hostage by Hamas
Image:
Nimrod’s father Yehuda

Yehuda shows us Nimrod’s bedroom at the family home. It’s exactly as it was when Nimrod left to return to his army duties a few days before the October 7 attacks.

Except in a corner, there’s a box of uniforms and personal possessions, including a wallet which Nimrod had left at his army outpost – all returned to the family by the IDF.

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Stills from Holland PKG on Yehuda and Vicky Cohen's son Nimrod Cohen, an 19 y/o IDF soldier, who is being held hostage by Hamas.
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The IDF handed Nimrod’s parents a box of his possessions left at his army outpost

It’s just like the bedroom of any other teenager – Nimrod was 19 when he was kidnapped. But two birthdays have passed since then. Nimrod is 21 now – a milestone spent in captivity a few weeks ago.

It’s believed there are 20 living Israeli hostages in Gaza – all male – and that Hamas is holding the bodies of 27 more hostages who have been killed.

Read more from Sky News:
Israel resumes airdrops into Gaza
Bob Geldof accuses Israel of ‘lying’
25% of children malnourished, charity says

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Starvation in Gaza continues

But even if a deal is agreed, the first phase is expected to secure the release of only half of the living hostages – and Nimrod’s parents say their son, as a soldier, is not likely to be one of the 10.

Yehuda says: “A partial deal means that the probability my son will be on that list is close to zero. So he’s going to be one of the last ones to be released, and that’s why we have to fight.”

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Bob Geldof accuses Israeli authorities of ‘lying’ about starvation in Gaza

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Bob Geldof accuses Israeli authorities of 'lying' about starvation in Gaza

Bob Geldof has accused the Israeli authorities of “lying” about starvation in Gaza – after Israel’s government spokesperson claimed there was “no famine caused by Israel”.

Earlier this week, David Mencer claimed that Hamas “starves its own people” while on The News Hour with Mark Austin, denying that Israel was responsible for mass hunger in Gaza.

Appearing on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Geldof said the claims are false.

Follow latest: Gaza aid airdrops a ‘smokescreen’ and ‘distraction’

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Israel challenged on starvation in Gaza

Sir Trevor asked the Live Aid organiser: “The Israeli view is that there is no famine caused by Israel, there’s a manmade shortage, but it’s been engineered by Hamas.

“I guess the Israelis would say we don’t see much criticism from your side of Hamas.”

In response, Geldof said “that’s a false equivalence” and “the Israeli authorities are lying”.

The singer then added: “They’re lying. [Benjamin] Netanyahu lies, is a liar. The IDF are lying. They’re dangling food in front of starving, panicked, exhausted mothers.

“And while they arrive to accept the tiny amount of food that this sort of set up pantomime outfit, the Gaza Humanitarian Front, I would call it, as they dangle it, then they’re shot wantonly.

“This month, up to now, 1,000 children or 1,000 people have died of starvation. I’m really not interested in what either of these sides are saying.”

He added: “If the newsfeeds and social feeds weren’t so censored in Israel, I imagine that the Israeli people would not permit what has been done in their name.”

Asked about the UK government’s reaction, Geldof said it was “not enough”.

“This is a distraction thing about ‘let’s recognise the state ‘ – absolutely, it should have been done ages ago, but it’s not going to make any material difference,” he said, referring to calls for Sir Keir Starmer to recognise Palestine as a state.

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Gaza: ‘This is man-made starvation’

In the Sky News interview earlier this week, Mr Mencer added: “This suffering exists because Hamas made it so. Here are the facts. Aid is flowing, through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Millions of meals are being delivered directly to civilians.”

He also claimed that, since May, more than 4,400 aid trucks had entered Gaza carrying supplies.

It comes after MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, warned 25% of young children and pregnant women in Gaza are now malnourished.

The charity said Israel’s “deliberate use of starvation as a weapon” has reached unprecedented levels, and said that at one of its clinics in Gaza City, rates of severe malnutrition in children under five have trebled over the past two weeks.

MSF then described the lack of food and water on the ground “unconscionable”.

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Aid waiting to be distributed in Gaza

In a statement to Sky News, an Israeli security official said that “despite the false claims that are being spread, the State of Israel does not limit the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip”.

It then blamed other groups for issues delivering aid. They said: “Over the past month, we have witnessed a significant decline in the collection of aid from the crossings into the Gaza Strip by international aid organisations.

“The delays in collection by the UN and international organisations harm the situation and the food security of Gaza’s residents.”

Read more:
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The IDF also told Sky News: “The IDF allows the American civilian organisation (GHF) to distribute aid to Gaza residents independently, and operates in proximity to the new distribution zones to enable the distribution alongside the continuation of IDF operational activities in the Gaza Strip.

“Following incidents in which harm to civilians who arrived at distribution facilities was reported, thorough examinations were conducted in the Southern Command and instructions were issued to forces in the field following lessons learned.

“The aforementioned incidents are under review by the competent authorities in the IDF.”

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Five killed after Russia and Ukraine trade aerial bombardments

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Five killed after Russia and Ukraine trade aerial bombardments

At least five people have been killed after Russia and Ukraine traded aerial bombardments overnight, officials have said.

In Ukraine, the southern region of Dnipro and the northeastern region of Sumy were attacked by rockets and drones.

The head of the Dnipro regional administration, Serhii Lysak, said at least three people had died and at least five were injured.

A man stands next to burned cars in Dnipro. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A man stands next to burned cars in Dnipro. Pic: Reuters

In the city of Dnipro, a multi-storey building and businesses were damaged in the strike, and a fire engulfed a shopping centre in the region.

The military administration in Sumy said three people were injured.

Over three hours, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, was hit by four guided aerial bombs, two ballistic missiles and 15 drones.

In a Telegram post, its mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said high-rise residential buildings, local businesses, roads and the communication network were damaged.

He said at least five people were injured, including three rescue workers hit in a double tap strike, where a second attack targets emergency workers trying to help those wounded in the initial attack.

In total, Russia targeted Ukraine with 208 drones and 27 missiles overnight, according to the daily air force report.

It said air defence and electronic warfare took down or intercepted 183 drones and 17 missiles, but hits from 10 missiles and 25 drones had been recorded in nine locations, according to preliminary data.

Read more:
25% of young children now malnourished in Gaza, charity says
Huge security operation as Trump tees off at his golf course

Employees walk past a damaged shopping centre in the city of Kamianske in the Dnipro region. Pic: Reuters
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Employees walk past a damaged shopping centre in the city of Kamianske. Pic: Reuters

Officials in Russia said Ukrainian drones targeted several regions overnight, with a drone attack on the border region of Rostov killing two people, according to acting governor Yuri Slyusar.

In the neighbouring Stavropol region, drones hit an industrial facility, governor Vladimir Vladimirov said on Telegram. The attack sparked a brief fire, he added.

Drones also targeted Moscow but were shot down, according to mayor Sergei Sobyanin. They also targeted an industrial facility in the Penza region southeast of the capital, governor Oleg Melnichenko said.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down or intercepted a total of 54 Ukrainian drones.

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