Health
As one of my main specialisms, I pride myself on being able to explain even the most complicated medical issues in an easy-to-understand manner, helping readers get to grips with key health concerns. This ability was recognised in the 2004 Medical Journalism Awards (Norwich Union Healthcare / Medical Journalists' Association), when I won the online journalism award for a health news article entitled, "Should sunbeds be banned?"
I've written health news and features, many on a regular basis, for a wide range of publications, including Boots, BUPA, Channel 4, Discovery Health, Slimming World magazine, First magazine, NetDoctor, Kelloggs Special K, iCircle, Handbag.com, Allergy magazine, Norwich Union magazine, Lighter Life magazine, With Kids magazine, Vision magazine, Sunrise magazine, Setform, Care magazine, PTA magazine, Health Media Ltd / HMG Worldwide, Global News Services and Families First for Health. In addition, I've contributed weekly posts to a diet/nutrition blog.
Health on the Menu, March/April 2007
Following a restricted diet for medical reasons needn't mean your weight problem is stuck in a rut: Food Optimising can help you eat well and lose weight too.
A Matter of Fat, January/February 2007
Good news: a fat-free diet isn't the way to lose weight! But which fats are beneficial for health and which are best left on the shelf?
Health
off The Shelf, August/September 2006 (236 kb)
Foods that claim to lower cholesterol or boost circulation are promoted as an easy way to better health - but do they work, and are they worth spending money and Syns on?
Hooray for the Holidays! July 2006
Does your healthy eating routine usually break down when the children break up? This year, why not try a few fresh ideas to ensure the whole family enjoys the school holidays - including you!
As If By Magic? May/June 2006
The thought of buying a new slim figure over the counter, thanks to a bottle of pills, is almost unbearably tempting - which is why so many slimmers splash out on them. But are they worth the money or a waste of space?
Out of Shape, Summer 2007
For sufferers, body dysmorphic disorder can mean a debilitating degree of anguish about the way they look - and even a greatly increased risk of suicide.
Why Obesity is Now a Global Issue, March 2007
It's a sobering fact that more people worldwide are overweight than starving. Obesity brings with it the increased risk of serious health conditions that could put our lives in danger. We examine the impact on the world's healthy of the increase in overweight and obese people.
Shock to the System, January/February 2007
Living with a food allergy or intolerance can be immensely frustrating, uncomfortable and in the worst case, life-threatening. This article looks at the difference between the two and offers advice on how to manage them.
Features for the Channel 4 website, often as tie-ins for TV programmes. I've also been involved in updating the content on the health section and editing and re-writing features.
Medical care is great when it all goes well, and most of the time it does just that. But there are occasions when people don't get on with their doctors, aren't happy with the treatment they're given or want to make a complaint. So, if things don't go to plan and you're left feeling less than satisfied with the care you've received, what can you do?
The chances are that you'll know someone who's on or has tried the Atkins Diet. That's not surprising, as over three million people in Britain, along with countless celebrities, are on the high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating plan. But despite seemingly helping people to lose weight, it's become one of the most controversial diets of recent years.
It's easy to be complacent about weight and long-term health issues, especially when you're young, carefree and only living for tomorrow, but recent statistics provide a harsh wake-up call for teens and children.
The mere thought of a tumour can strike fear in our minds, but not all tumours necessarily mean cancer. Many people experience benign tumours, such as moles, during their lifetime, but for those with the condition neurofibromatosis (Nf), the likelihood of tumours suddenly appearing is much higher. What's more, in a few Nf cases tumour growth is rapid, resulting in added worry and complications.
When it comes to healthy eating, can you tell the good fats from the bad? The sugar-laden snacks from the low-calories options? Try our quiz and find out if you're on the road to fitness or if your body is crying out for better treatment.
We all get occasional aches and pains, but for nearly 10 million people in the UK pain is a key part of their life every day.
Breaking the Obesity Cycle (With Jenny Bryan)
A Brighter Future for Organic Farming? (With Jennry Bryan)
Sunrise magazine
All In The Family, Issue 3 (UK)
Blue-eyed like your mum? Hot-tempered like your aunt? Your genes may hold the key to even more than you realise.
One Pain, Three Opinions - Issue 2 (UK)
Examples of weekly investigative news articles for the BUPA website:
Should
Sunbeds Be Banned? Award-winning news article
The safety of sunbeds has been a point of concern for some time, as it
is thought that regular use is linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.
In a bid to help protect public health, The Chartered Institute of Environmental
Health (CIEH) has called on local authority leisure centres to ban their
use on their premises. But how dangerous are sunbeds and could banning
them really offer protection?
This piece won me the Online Journalism Award in the 2004 Medical Journalism Awards (Norwich Union Healthcare / Medical Journalists' Association). The judges said: "There was an excellent flow to this comprehensive, educational and informative article. Rachel went to great lengths when researching this and included plenty of medical details in a language everyone could understand."
The Atkins diet, which is based on consuming high levels of protein and low levels of carbohydrate, has become a popular weight-loss approach among celebrities and the public. Two studies have been publicised as supporting the diet and confirming the weight-loss ability. But is this really the case? Are there still safety issues and is the diet a suitable approach for long-term weight loss?
Eating is a natural part of life, but according to some researchers, some types of food eaten - namely sugary and fatty foods - may act like a drug and be addictive. With obesity rising and junk food ever present, is it really possible that some people may be addicted to food?
Are Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Safe?
Vitamin and mineral supplements are widely used, particularly during illness or pregnancy. However the safety of some substances has come under fire, following the publication of an expert group report on dosage levels. But which supplements are affected and what does this mean for consumers?
Examples of features for BUPA:
Do You Understand Your Medicines?
Most of us take medicines at some point in our lives, whether for a one-off illness or a long-term condition. Many of the medicines available today are powerful drugs developed through years of research and are designed to be used in specific ways to achieve maximum effects. All medicines used in the UK have passed rigorous tests, but they can still be harmful, or ineffective, if used in the wrong way.
Five-part guide to taking care in the sun, covering:
Is a Tan Healthy?
Fake It!
Slip, Slop, Slap - How To Be Safe In The Sun
Keeping Kids Safe in The Sun
UVA, UVB and the UV Index
Healthy Heart Guide
Five-part healthy heart guide, covering:
Eating Well: Food and Your Heart
Get Active: Physical Activity and Your Heart
Relax: Stress and Your Heart
Ease The Pressure: Blood Pressure And Your Heart
Get an MOT: Check-ups And Your Heart
First magazine
I contributed several news items to the dummy/sample issue of Emap's new weekly women's magazine. Since the launch in May 06, I've written news items on various health and parenting topics. These include:
An End to Period Dramas, 21-27 June 06
Running Into Trouble, 21-27 June 06
Handbag.com
Recent features for Handbag.com (also see the travel section):
Is What You Wear Making You Ill?
I previously worked in conjunction with Cybergrrl.com, a New York-based women's website, providing a range of health and lifestyle content during the pre-launch stage and first year of the website.
Vision magazine
The Vision Express customer magazine for Grand Advantage members:
Turning a Blind Eye to Sight Loss, Issue 4 (Autumn 2006)
RNIB has revealed that many harmful yet easily diagnosed eye problems still go undetected - an eye examination can reveal the truth.
With Kids magazine
A Matter of Health (health news pages):
October/November 2006
Norwich Union magazine
Getting Kids Active, Summer 2006
If you are keen to keep your children fit, busy and motivated during the school holidays, try getting them involved in some summer activities
New Year, New You, Winter/Spring 2004 (1 Mb)
Popular New Year's resolutions include stopping smokking, losing weight and cutting back on alcohol. But don't give up on giving up - Rachel Newcombe suggests how.
Families First for Health (Great Ormond Street Hospital)
In conjunction with the now defunct company HMG Worldwide (and previously Health Media Ltd), I contributed a number of features to the Discovery Health website, on various health issues. These include:
Are You Just a Teenage Scratch Bag?
It's pretty normal to worry about your skin - but people with eczema worry more than normal. What with itching, blisters, flaking skin and swelling, the condition can make life seem unbearable.
Sexual Problems: All in The Mind?
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is thought to affect around 43 per cent of women, yet a recent report suggests it could be a figment of the drug industry's imagination. Are these concerns justified, or is it a real condition?
Periods: What's Normal?
Women experience an average of 400 periods during their lifetime, but what's a 'normal' period really like, and when could there be signs of gynaecological problems?
Hoping For a vCJD Miracle
The parents of two teenagers with variant CJD (vCJD) recently won a controversial High Court battle to allow their children to have an experimental form of treatment. So, does this signify hope of a new therapy, will it cure the disease and what do the experts say?
Lend Us Your Ears: Understanding Corrective Surgery
Most of us don't give our ears a second thought. But some people who are born with more prominent 'sticking out' ears can suffer years of abuse and torment, and experience low self-esteem. So what help is available - and do the treatments really work?
Keeping Your Cool In The Office
Stress is one of the leading causes of illness among workers, and it's not made any better by being stuck in an office during the rising summer heat. But if you're under pressure, don’t panic! Simple de-stressing techniques and changes to your working environment can provide all the help you need.
Do-It-Yourself Eye Care
One of the fastest growing leisure pursuits in the UK, and a hot favourite among men, is do-it-yourself, or DIY. Decorating, mending, painting and fixing cars all provide hours of entertainment to the enthusiast - but can also be hazardous.
'Tis The Season To Overindulge?
With the Christmas party season in full swing, the likelihood of overindulgence is rising. But if you want to avoid any nasty after-effects, or treat the ones you've got, what are the best solutions?
Copywriting for the 28-Day Body Fat Challenge - Shape Management section (four articles and tips throughout website)
Copywriting for Special K Kutopia website
Articles for Wanadoo's women's website. I also used to write the daily news (seven days a week) for the health channel:
Celebs and Their Spas
In need of some pampering? Check out the places where celebs relax - and do a bit of star-spotting too.
Healing With Acupuncture
This ancient Eastern therapy using needles is used to relieve the symptoms of a range of common ailments including arthritis, depression, hay fever, headaches, and many skin disorders.
Alternative Treatments: Chiropractic
Want to try an alternative therapy for back or neck pain? Try chiropractic - it may help ease other related problems, too.
Look Younger - Visit The High Street!
Mother Nature may have been good to many celebrities - but most need regular help from the latest beauty treatments such as botox injections, non-surgical facelifts and cosmetic dentistry. The good news is, that many treatments are more accessible and affordable than ever before. You could even fit some in during your lunch hour!
Various ghostwritten articles for the ADHD microsite. Also:
Sexual Problems: All In The Mind?
Dial magazine
Lifestyle / nutrition columns for the quarterly Expotel travel magazine:
Food Myths Debunked, Summer 2007
Brain-Boosters and Stress-Busters, Spring 2007
Cocktails 'n' Canapes, Winter 2006
Rainbow Food, Autumn 2006
Great British Grub, Summer 2006
Food Allergies, Spring 2006
What to Pick, What to Skip On The Menu, Winter 2005
Under Pressure, Summer 2005
Your Daily Cuppa, Spring 2005
Separating Fad from Fiction, Winter 2004
Are
You a GI Joe? Autumn 2004 (566 Kb)
Allergy magazine
Features for the specialist consumer allergy publication:
Is Your Child Seven, Going on 37? (Children's allergies), Nov/Dec 2004
(1.43 Mb)
Teaching your child to be responsible for their health is tricky - but when it comes to allergies, it can be a matter of life or death. We look at the top six solutions to help your little ones take responsibility for their health.
Do You Have the Right Prescription? (Medication allergies), Sept/Oct 2004
(1.32 Mb)
Allergies can be difficult to deal with at the best of times, but imagine being ill and in need of treatment, yet being allergic to the medication that could cure you.
Student Life: Coping with Allergies, Sept/Oct 2004 (1.29 Mb)
Leaving home and starting a new life at university is an exciting time, offering plenty of new experiences. But for those with allergies, how easy is it to cope?
In The News (news round-up), July/Aug 2004
HealthyPages
A good diet should include a range of food types, and nuts are no exception.
Other features
Essential Oil, Care magazine (CS Healthcare), Winter 2003 (678 Kb)
It nourishes, lubricates and protects us - but is your body getting enough?
Being unable to tolerate lactose can play havoc with normal eating habits, but it is something that can be adapted to. But what exactly does lactose intolerance mean, why does it happen and how can you cope with it?
The Health Benefits of Herbal Teas
There's nothing like a refreshing cup of tea, but did you know that what you drink could help your health? It's true, but it does depend on what sort of tea you choose!
You're feeling anxious, simple things irritate you, you've got yet another headache coming on and you're tired but there's no time to stop and rest. You're suffering from mood swings, feel tense, are worrying endlessly and can't concentrate on simple tasks. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, you could well be suffering from stress.
It’s that time of year again when colds and flu are rife. If you’re keen to boost your immunity and avoid the bugs, these natural products could help!
Setform
I've written several informative health wallcharts for Setform Ltd, which are often produced and updated on an annual basis. These include:
Health and Serenity: The Natural Way (in association with the Institute of Complementary Medicine)
The Health and Development of Your Baby
A Guide to Pre-School Care
Health Today
A bi-monthly magazine for independent health stores, which I edited until January 2003. It was produced for Tree of Life wholesalers (previously Nature's Store), but has now ceased publication. Topics covered included:
Reflexology
Dental Health
Coping With ME and CFS
Hay Fever
Food Allergies and Intolerances
Natural Options for Mums and Babies
The Menopause
Indigestion and IBS
Depression
Coping With Insomnia
Foot Problems
Immune Boosters
Naturotherapy
Organic Food
Flower Essences
Need a writer? Got an article that needs commissioning? Call now on 07801 944 978 or email rachel@newcombe.co.uk