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Hay fever symptoms are worse for people in ‘urban areas’- according to new research
The analysis shows that urban areas record "significantly higher symptom severity" and "longer symptom duration" for all years studied, except 2017, whereas rural areas did not record this in any of the study years.
Research was carried out by scientists at the University of Manchester over a five-year period.
A new study has found that people living in 'urban areas' are likely to experience more severe hay fever symptoms than those living elsewhere, reports The Manc.
The results from the first-ever study carried out to compare pollution levels with the severity and duration of real-time hay fever symptoms by researchers at the University of Manchester (UoM) has revealed that residents in city centres and built-up towns - referred to as 'urban areas' - reported "significantly worse" symptoms of seasonal allergies.
The UoM research team studied a whopping 36,145 symptom reports submitted by more than 700 suffering Brits over a five-year period from 2016 to 2020.
They used a citizen science application called Britain Breathing for their research.
The study - which has been published in Scientific Reports this week - compares self-reported allergy symptoms in urban and rural locations, and particularly focuses on the severity of common hay fever symptoms.
New study finds hay fever symptoms are worse for people in 'urban areas' / Credit: Unsplash
They found that reports of a runny nose, sore eyes, and wheezy breathing were roughly twice as severe for those in urban areas, than they were for those in rural ones across all years studied.
The study combined pollution measurements and pollen and meteorological data taken from the UK Met Office with the real-time geo-positioned reports to, according to UoM, "examine the relationship between symptom severity and air quality".
The analysis shows that urban areas record "significantly higher symptom severity" and "longer symptom duration" for all years studied, except 2017, whereas rural areas did not record this in any of the study years.
Researchers claim that symptom severity was "significantly correlated with ozone levels", as ozone has previously been linked to respiratory problems.
Research was carried out over a five-year period / Credit: PxHere
"The worldwide prevalence of allergic respiratory disease has risen considerably in recent years," explained Immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank - who is one of the authors of the study.
"However, hay fever affects people differently and can change over a lifetime, and data is lacking on how environmental factors may influence this.
"This study provides evidence that urban surroundings may exacerbate hay fever and asthma symptoms. It also provides a broader picture of chronic health issues experienced by hay fever and asthma sufferers, as opposed to only observing those with more acute and/or problematic reactions.
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
The Hoot -
24th February 2023 
