Resources

The social value of investing in public health across the life course: a systematic scoping review

This review maps an overview of the application of Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Social Cost-Benefit Analysis (SCBA) in existing literature to identify the social value of public health interventions at individual stages of the life course. The importance of capturing social value is highlighted and the results indicate the positive value of investing in public health interventions. This evidence can be used as a starting point by public health professionals and institutions that are looking beyond traditional economic measures, and towards capturing social value when investing in interventions across the life course. An evidence brief has been produced outlining the key findings of the scoping review and provides individual examples of the social value of interventions at individual stages of the life course identified in the scoping review.

Toward an economy of wellbeing: The economic impact of the Welsh healthcare sector

In this paper, the economic importance of the healthcare sector to the Welsh economy is explored. We use a large number of data sources for the UK and Welsh economy to derive an economic model for 2017. This economic modelling aims to quantify the contribution of the healthcare sector (the National Health Service, NHS) to the wider economy in Wales, looking at the economic output, population income, value added imports, and employment. Results suggest that the healthcare sector has an above average contribution in four explored economic aspects of the Welsh economy (output, income, employment, value-added), according to its impact on the surrounding economic ecosystem. A summary of the report has been developed to support and inform national and international stakeholders across various sectors, including economics, finance, health, and policy. It is particularly useful for those working in relation to the Foundational Economy, Social Value and Wellbeing Impacts and Value-Based Health.

Social Return on Investment (SROI) of mental health related interventions—A scoping review

Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a methodological approach which incorporates all three aspects for evaluating interventions. Mental health problems are one of the leading causes of ill health and disability worldwide. This study aims to map existing evidence on the social value of mental health interventions that uses the SROI methodology. This scoping review is a first of its kind to focus on SROI of mental health interventions, finding a good number of SROI studies that show a positive return on investment of the identified interventions. An evidence brief has been produced outlining the key findings of the scoping review. The evidence brief highlights the social value of mental health interventions in high- and middle-income countries and outlines individual examples.

The Social Return on Investment of Physical Activity and Nutrition Interventions – a Scoping Review

Scarcity of resources for public health and mounting pressures on health systems such as the Covid-19 pandemic, make it vital to evaluate public health interventions and move away from traditional evaluation methods. This is important to understand not just the financial value of public health interventions, but also the wider social, environmental and economic value. This review aims to present the existing evidence base on the Social Return on Investment of physical activity and nutrition interventions, demonstrating the wider social and environmental benefits of these interventions.

It becomes increasingly important that the holistic impact of nutrition and physical activity interventions and programmes is understood to enable the development and implementation of interventions which have the greatest value to people. An evidence brief has been produced outlining the key findings of the scoping review and provides individual examples of the social value of interventions identified which aimed to increase levels of physical activity and improve nutrition.

Time to Talk Public Health: November 2024 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 November 2024 survey covering: Healthy Life Expectancy, Awareness of health services, Vaccines, and a Violence prevention approach called Stop and Search.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Fiscal Levers to Address Obesity Report 51

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning reports were initiated as part of the COVID-19 public health response, to support dynamic response and recovery measures and planning in Wales. In spring 2022, the scope of the reports was expanded to cover priority public health topics, including in the areas of health improvement and promotion, health protection, and health care public health.
In focus: Fiscal Levers to Address Obesity.

International Health Newsletter Issue 5: January 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.

Country Deep Dive on the Well-being Economy: Wales

‘The Country deep dive on the well-being economy: Wales’ is part of a series of country deep dives published under the WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative led by the WHO European Office for Investment and Development‎. Each publication in the series is developed by combining academic and grey literature with narratives from semi structured interviews conducted with key stakeholders in government and public health institutions, with the aim to demonstrate concrete country experiences in advancing and implementing well-being economies.

This deep dive focuses on the Welsh approach. It gives context for Wales’s commitment to the well-being economy agenda, and identifies key concepts and strategies, governance structures and mechanisms, the role of (‎public)‎ health, and approaches to measuring and monitoring progress. It highlights both the drivers and barriers Wales has encountered on the path towards a well-being economy. While Wales’s experience is not representative or all-encompassing, countries that are considering or in the process of shifting to a well-being economy can look at these key findings and take-home policy messages for inspiration.

International Health Newsletter Issue 4: September 2024

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.

Improving Education, Skills and Employment in Coventry: A Marmot City Approach

Like many areas across the UK, Coventry faces health inequalities, particularly among its most vulnerable communities. However, there has been notable progress. In this blog, we highlight the impactful work Coventry City Council has undertaken so far. A key initiative is the city’s Job Shop, which operates a Hub and Spoke model, offering personalised support in community locations to empower residents.This blog also explores how the Marmot Cities approach is making a difference and shares valuable lessons learned along the way.

Health Equity Frameworks and Tools

Working towards health equity is a challenging but crucial task. Public Health Wales is seeking to support you in this work, whatever your role, by compiling a range of national and international tools that have been developed to guide this work in different contexts.

Public Health Wales has published an overview of 22 health equity frameworks and tools to support governments, organisations, and individuals to work towards health equity. Frameworks and tools were identified through searches of key international and national resources.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: The Commercial Determinants of Health: Children and Young People Report 49

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning reports were initiated as part of the COVID-19 public health response, to support dynamic response and recovery measures and planning in Wales. In spring 2022, the scope of the reports was expanded to cover priority public health topics, including in the areas of health improvement and promotion, health protection, and health care public health.
In focus: The Commercial Determinants of Health: Children and Young People

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Reports Summary Calendar April 2023 to March 2024

This summary calendar, the fourth to be published, presents a short and interactive overview of the five International Horizon Scanning Reports from 2023-2024, with themes including:

• Universal primary free school meals
• Mental health and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers
• Five essential conditions for health equity
• Embedding prevention in primary and community care
• Impact of poverty on babies, children and young people

Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales: An Implementation Toolkit

A toolkit is available to staff whose work involves international health and working with global stakeholders. The implementation toolkit helps staff in Health Boards and NHS Trusts translate the Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales into operational practices.

Equity in Action: Advancing LGBTQIA+ Health in Wales

Despite advancements in societal acceptance and legal rights, LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face significant disparities in mental health, sexual health, and healthcare access. Health inequalities among the LGBTQIA+ communities in Wales present a pressing challenge.

This blog describes the challenges experienced by the LGBTQIA+ communities in Wales regarding health and social care. It features strategic policies that are making difference, ensuring fair health access for all. The blog also highlights transformative efforts that are not only reshaping public health but also setting precedents for inclusivity across the nation.

International Health Newsletter Issue 3: May 2024

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.