Resources

Time to Talk Public Health: Food environments and portion size behaviours in Wales

Understanding food environments and portion size behaviours in Wales

This report presents findings from a cross-sectional survey of 1,460 people aged 16 years and over who live in Wales, conducted through the Time to Talk Public Health (TTPH) population panel. The sample was broadly representative of people living in Wales. The survey explored types of main meals eaten, lunchtime behaviours when away from the home, meal finishing behaviour, and portion size behaviours and attitudes. Analysis by socio-demographic characteristics identified population groups more likely at risk of engaging in behaviours associated with living with overweight and obesity. These groups were young adults, males, people living in more deprived areas, and those who perceive themselves as heavier. More action is needed to address what drives these behaviours.

How home temperatures affect health and well-being in low-income households: Evidence from temperature monitoring and lived experience

This briefing presents the experiences of 15 people living in low-income households. It draws on objective indoor temperature monitoring and interviews exploring awareness and understanding of healthy indoor temperature guidelines and the impacts of home temperature on health and well-being.

International Health Insights: Dementia Prevention

This International Health Insights report explores global evidence on dementia prevention and the importance of supporting brain health across the life course.

The report reviews international best practice and highlights successful approaches from countries including Finland, Japan, South Korea, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom.

Key messages:

Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. Addressing modifiable risk factors across the life course could prevent up to 45% of cases. Effective prevention requires integrated action at three levels:

1. Single component behavioural change interventions remain essential foundations, targeting individual risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, social isolation, alcohol misuse, and untreated hearing or vision loss. component behavioural change interventions

2. Multi component interventions that target multiple, clustered risk factors represent the most promising strategy.

3. Structural population-level measures such as fiscal policies, legislation, marketing restrictions, environmental adaptations are critical to complement lifestyle-based approaches.

Loneliness, social isolation and social connection in Wales: A public health perspective

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly being recognised as public health challenges. This report aims to present loneliness, social isolation and social connection in Wales from a public health perspective. Intended for professionals, policymakers and other individuals working directly or indirectly in the field of social connection, it includes data and evidence on: the prevalence of loneliness, social isolation and social connection in Wales and the population groups most affected; factors that increase the risk of loneliness and social isolation; impacts on health and well-being; evidence on solutions; examples of good practice in Wales; and key areas for future action.

Time to Talk Public Health October 2025 Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice. The panel is designed to be broadly representative of the Welsh population by age, sex, deprivation, ethnicity and health board. This report presents findings from the October 2025 survey covering: Source of Health Information, Health Policy, Health and Well-Being After Pregnancy, Ageism, and Public Health Wales.

International Health Newsletter Issue 9: February 2026

The International Health Coordination Centre’s (IHCC) International Health Newsletter promotes and shares international news, events and initiatives with partners across Wales and beyond.

The newsletter was piloted in May 2023, thereon issued quarterly.

View the latest issue here.

Urgent care components and their effectiveness: A rapid review of evidence and international insights

This report explores how different components of urgent care services can help reduce pressure on emergency departments and support patient independence. Drawing on the latest research through a systematic rapid review and international insights, it highlights best practices from across the UK and globally to inform urgent care service design in Wales. The review covers a range of urgent care service components, including:
• Task shifting strategies to optimise workforce capacity and efficiency
• Improved access to diagnostic services, such as radiology
• Smart tools like digital triage and decision-support systems for staff
• Expansion of urgent care/treatment centres for timely, appropriate care
• Virtual urgent care, including phone and video consultations for urgent advice
The findings suggest that well-designed urgent care services can deliver safer, faster, and more effective care. While further research is needed, the evidence highlights a promising opportunity to ease pressure on hospitals and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

About the review:
This work is a collaboration between the Evidence Service (Research, Data and Digital Directorate) and the International Health Insights team (Policy and International Health Directorate, WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Wellbeing) within Public Health Wales.

International Health Newsletter Issue 8: October 2025

The International Health Coordination Centre’s (IHCC) International Health Newsletter promotes and shares international news, events and initiatives with partners across Wales and beyond.

The newsletter was piloted in May 2023, thereon issued quarterly.

View the latest issue here.

Strengthening Health with Equitable International Partnerships: Key Learning and Best Practices

Wales has an enabling legislative and policy context for international health partnerships, illustrated by the Well-being of Future Generations Act goal of creating a ‘globally responsible Wales’.

This discussion paper explored how Welsh and international communities’ benefit from collaborative partnerships through a scoping review. The objectives were to identify current knowledge, evaluate advantages, and determine best practice.

Time to Talk Public Health – June 2025 Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice. The panel is designed to be broadly representative of the Welsh population by age, sex, deprivation, ethnicity and health board. This report presents findings from the June 2025 Survey covering: Type 2 diabetes, use of gloves in healthcare settings, incontinence, dental health, climate change and public health policy.

Comparative relationships between physical and verbal abuse of children, life course mental well-being and trends in exposure: a multi-study secondary analysis of cross-sectional surveys in England and Wales

This study examined relationships between physical and verbal abuse in childhood and adult mental well-being. The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, used data from surveys conducted in Wales and England between 2012 and 2024. It found that childhood verbal abuse was associated with similar increases in risk of low mental well-being as childhood physical abuse. The study also measured trends in self-reported physical and verbal abuse across birth cohorts.

International Health Newsletter Issue 7: July 2025

The International Health Coordination Centre’s (IHCC) International Health Newsletter promotes and shares international news, events and initiatives with partners across Wales and beyond.

The newsletter was piloted in May 2023, thereon issued quarterly.

View the latest issue here.

Social Value E-Guide for Public Health

The Social Value E-Guide for Public Health is a step-by-step resource that explains how to use socially focused approaches for decision-making and financial prioritisation.

It aims to support stakeholders including practitioners, researchers and decision-makers in understanding and capturing the social value of the interventions and services they design and deliver.

The E-Guide presents approaches and resources for adopting a social value approach including methods such as Social Return on Investment and Social Cost Benefit Analysis, tailored specifically to the public health context.

IHCC Progress Report 2022-2024

This report describes activities of the International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC), and the wider international health activity and partnership working which took place within NHS Wales between 2022 and 2024. It outlines the IHCC’s progress in driving and enabling implementation of the Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales (the Charter) across the NHS and demonstrates the tools used to enable shared learning, facilitate cross-NHS and cross-sector synergies, and maximise benefits to the health and well-being of the people in Wales and beyond.

Time to Talk Public Health: February 2025 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice. The panel is designed to be broadly representative of the Welsh population by age, sex, deprivation, ethnicity and health board. This report presents findings from the February 2025 Survey covering: Primary care and health inequalities; Delivery of primary care services; Social connectedness; Personal well-being; Financial security; Minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol; Breast screening and artificial intelligence (AI).