Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The chronic fatigue illness ME is the biggest cause of long-term sickness absence in UK schools, a study published today claims. A survey responded to by 1,100 schools revealed ME was responsible for 51 per cent of long- term absence, while a fifth of schools had experienced cases of ME.
For every 100,000 children, there are 70 cases of ME, and more than a third of all cases occur in clusters - often in areas near polluted open water, the research says.
Jane Colby, an ME sufferer who carried out the survey with consultant microbiologist Dr Elizabeth Dowsett, said: "This disease shows a very sinister pattern right across the school population. No one can deny any longer how serious it is."
ME, which can leave sufferers so weak they can barely chew food, is more commonly associated with high-flying adults, earning it the nickname "yuppie flu". However, awareness is growing of its capacity to strike in children, causing them to miss vital months of schooling.
Jane Colby writes on ME in Education Plus, in today's edition of The Independent Tabloid. Lucy Ward
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments