Health issues covered in this report include;

Progress on 2001 recommendations;

The dangers of second-hand smoke (including recommendations on banning smoking in public places);

A study on West Nile virus including the risk of it spreading to England and need for surveillance and contingency plans;

Curbing England's obesity epidemic;

Patient safety in intrathecal chemotherapy treatment;

And tackling poor clinical practice by providing support and dealing more effectively with problem doctors.

Also included is a regional focus on some local problems, trends and initiatives across England.

This report, in response to the mosquito-borne West Nile virus becoming endemic to the United States in 2002, set out measures aimed at the early identification and control of the virus in the event it should reach England. Also includes a contingency action plan to improve readiness diagnosis, management of the condition and prevention of further infection.