Facts & Statistics

In the UK it is legal to terminate a pregnancy within 24 weeks, but most hospitals / clinics will not consider it after 18 to 20 weeks

A pregnancy may only be terminated if two registered medical practitioners are of the same opinion

In 2003 at total 181,600 abortions were performed on residents of England and Wales and 80% of these were funded by the NHS

Abortion means ending a pregnancy so that it does not result in the birth of a child

A young woman under 16 can have an abortion but special rules apply about consent

Drinking alcohol leads to loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and blackouts

Alcohol is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can damage every organ in your body

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers your inhibitions, and impairs your judgment.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol at one time or very rapidly can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma or even death

If you are around people who are drinking, you have an increased risk of being involved in car crashes or affected by violence

Alcohol is a drug - mixing it with any other drug can be extremely dangerous

Alcohol is a depressant, as it reduces brain activity. If you are depressed before you start drinking, alcohol can make you feel worse

Drinking increases the risk of traffic accidents, violence, brain damage, unsafe sex

Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving when you should not, or having unprotected sex

Alcohol mixed with other drugs can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting, heart problems, and difficulty breathing

Alcohol can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer

Withdrawal symptoms of caffeine can include tiredness, crankiness, a persistent headache, sweating and muscle pain

Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 200mg per day or less - or eliminate it altogether

One person in four in Britain is expected to die of cancer

Canabis increases the risk of asthma, emphysema, shortness of breath, chest infections, and throat, mouth and lung cancers

Long term users of canabis may suffer from serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia

Research suggests that cannabis use can make existing psychotic symptoms worse

Unpleasant physical effects of taking cocaine include dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, tremors, headache and heart pain

The consequences of cocaine overdose include seizures, brain haemorrhage, kidney failure, heart attack or stroke

If cocaine is regularly inhaled or snorted, nose and sinus disorders can develop

If cocaine is injected, the user runs the risk of blood poisoning, HIV or hepatitis infection from shared equipment

There are 14 methods of contraception to choose from, but withdrawal is not a method of contraception

Individual advice on contraception is available from your GP, another GP, a Brook centre, or family planning clinic

Emergency contraception can be used if a contraceptive method fails

There are two forms of emergency contraception - the emergency contraceptive pill and the emergency intrauterine device (IUD)

Emergency contraceptive pills are more effective the sooner after sex they are taken.

If contraceptive pills are taken within 24 hours after sex they will prevent 95 out of 100 pregnancies

About 5 million people visit their dentist with toothache every year

19 out of 20 people suffer from gum disease at some point in their life, making it the most common disease in the world

It takes 43 muscles to frown but only 17 to smile

One in four adults suffer from bad breath on a regular basis

Most adults only change their toothbrush once a year. It is recommended that a toothbrush should be replaced four times a year

Less than half the population have frequent dental checkups, and 12 percent have not been for more than two years

Smoking can cause bad breath, gum disease, tooth staining and oral cancer

Nearly two thirds of people (64%) are nervous about some kinds of dental treatment

Two-thirds of people who brush their teeth twice a day still have visible plaque deposits

Nearly one-third of UK adults have 12 or more fillings

Seven out of ten children do not get enough calcium - Milk is a good source of calcium

An alternative to divorce is judicial separation and this would slow down the process and allow mediation to reduce the conflict

You do not have to take drugs just because your friends are taking them

You do not know what is in street drugs

Taking illegal drugs can be harmful. You can become drug dependent

Pregnant women who take drugs can give birth prematurely to underweight babies

Drugs can affect a pregnancy by damaging the baby by interfering with normal development

Drugs can affect a pregnancy by damaging the placenta and compromising the life support of the baby

Drugs can affect a pregnancy by bringing on contractions

Since around half of all pregnancies are unplanned, women may harm their babies before they realise they are pregnant

Around 20,000 people live in accommodation for the homeless in London, excluding people in bed and breakfasts and squats

Many homeless people are either mentally ill, physically ill, heavy drinkers or drug users

Inhalants are nervous system depressants, which means they slow down the workings of the brain

In high doses, inhalants can cause disorientation, nausea, diarrhoea and nose bleeds

The symptoms of inhalant overdose include hallucinations, drowsiness and coma

Scientists say they have strong evidence that the MMR vaccination is not linked to a rise in autism

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major cause of ill health

Since 1995 there have been large increases in the number of people diagnosed with STIs

Symptoms vary between sexually transmitted infections and some have no symptoms at all

Most STIs can be easily diagnosed and treated at Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics which are usually based in local hospitals

Tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections vary. Some involve taking swabs from the cervix or tip of the penis, or a blood sample

Sexually transmitted infections are usually passed on by sex with an infected person though some can be passed on in other ways

Sexually transmitted infections can be caught during oral, vaginal or anal sex

Using a male or female condom every time you have sex will stop the transmission of most sexually transmitted infections

There are 25 types of sexually transmitted infection. Some can be acquired without sexual contact

Common STIs: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Genital herpes, Genital warts, NSGIs, HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis B, Trichomoniasis, Syphilis

The following STIs are not necessarily transmitted through sexual contact: Candidiasis (thrush) , Pubic lice, Scabies

Steroids can increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance, but can cause liver tumors, jaundice and high blood pressure

Drugs that can cause birth defects are said to be teratogenic