So, Christmas is almost upon us yet again. Decorations and fairy lights are going up in homes and high streets the length and breadth of the country and the shops are gearing up for the mad rush of consumerism that seems to grip us all at this time of year. I muse thus, because for an increasingly large section of society there will be little in the way of "Christmas cheer" this year as poverty leaves them both cold and hungry.

It is a depressing thought, but poverty is having a devastating effect on public health in the UK, and it gets worse in the winter. Food poverty can lead to serious, preventable, health problems whilst fuel poverty is the cause of a staggering 50,000 premature deaths every year. The combined effects of such poverty makes for uncomfortable reading.

We also investigate the health and safety issues surrounding young workers, namely newspaper delivery boys and girls and ask if the system is leaving them wide open to serious health problems, accidents and personal attack. Nick Warburton takes a look at indoor air pollution and offers EHOs some practical advice based on a study to improve ventilation and heating systems in council-owned housing. Also, David Ormandy puts forward his counter-argument to October's feature on the housing health and safety rating system.

Finally, as in previous years, we have joined with the charity "Water for Kids" to help with their Christmas card appeal to raise funds for environmental health improvements in Peru. Please help if you can.

Tracey Khanna, Editor