Resources

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.

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.

Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform Animation: How to use the Solutions Platform

The Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform (WHESP) animation provides an overview of the functionality of the platform, guiding the user page-by-page through each section and tool. It showcases the easy-to-use Data Tool and Report Generator, that can both be tailored to a desired area of interest to produce outputs to inform work and frame insights.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Summary Calendar 2022/23

This International Horizon Scanning and Learning Summary Calendar is the third in the series, following the Summary Calendars from 2020/21 and 2021/22. This Summary Calendar has collated, synthesised, and presented a clear and concise synopsis of the five International Horizon Scanning Reports over the past year, since April 2022 through to March 2023. In addition, the two summary reports (published in 2022) are included. The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream has proved to showcase informative and impactful research whilst collating data from other countries and has provided guidance, recommendations, and useful insights regarding the evolving nature and uncertainties of emerging public health topics, which has sought to improve and inform such actions and approaches in Wales.

The summary aims to inform a succinct overview of comprehensive, coherent, inclusive and evidence-informed policy action, which has supported and continues to support the national strategies towards a healthier, more equal, resilient, prosperous and globally responsible Wales. This calendar includes key messages and key recommendations from the high level synthesis pages of each International Horizon Scanning report.

Themes include:
• Intermediate care
• The cost of living crisis
• COVID-proofing the educational environment: 4-18 years
• Early childhood education and care
• Communication campaigns for vaccine acceptance
• The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and increasing vulnerability
• The impact of COVID-19 on increasing the health gap and vulnerability

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. This review illustrates that SROI could be a useful tool and source of evidence to help inform policy and funding decisions for investment in mental health and wellbeing, as it accounts for the wider social, economic, and environmental benefits of public health interventions.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: COVID-proofing the educational environment: 4-18 years

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: COVID-proofing the educational environment: 4-18 years

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: The Cost of Living Crisis

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: Cost of living crisis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery Summary Calendar UPDATE April 2021 – March 2022

International Horizon Scanning and Learning: Summary Calendar UPDATE
This International Horizon Scanning and Learning Summary Calendar is an update from the previous Summary Calendar which can be found here and covered the period of April 2020 through to March 2021. This Summary Calendar has collated, synthesised and presented a clear and concise summary of the COVID-19 International Horizon Scanning Reports over the past year, since April 2021 through to March 2022. The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream has proved to showcase informative and impactful research whilst collating data from other countries and has provided guidance, recommendations and useful insights regarding the evolving nature and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sought to improve and inform such actions and approaches in Wales. The summary aims to inform a succinct overview of comprehensive, coherent, inclusive and evidence-informed policy action, which has supported and continues to support the national strategies towards a healthier, more equal, resilient, prosperous and globally responsible Wales. This calendar includes key messages and key recommendations from the high level synthesis page of each International Horizon Scanning report.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Intermediate care

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. In spring 2022, the scope of the reports has been expanded to cover priority public health topics, including in the areas of health improvement and promotion, health protection, and health care public health. This report focuses on intermediate care.

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning – Summary Report on The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Increasing Vulnerability

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to societies, health systems and decision-makers worldwide and has resulted in long-term economic, social and health and well-being impacts. Mental health has been negatively affected across all-age groups exacerbating existing health inequalities.
This report reviews and summarises the international evidence from the International Horizon Scanning and Learning reports on the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 on mental health, mental health services and increasing vulnerability.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning – Summary Report On the impact of COVID-19 on increasing the Health Gap and Vulnerability

This report reviews the international evidence from the International Horizon Scanning and Learning reports on the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 increasing the health gap. It focuses on inequalities and vulnerable groups to better understand and address the unequal distribution of indirect impacts resulting from the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for populations, health systems and governments worldwide which have resulted in lasting economic, social and health impacts. Health inequities have been exacerbated, with certain population groups disproportionately affected by levels of infection, hospitalisation and deaths from COVID-19. Furthermore, some groups have also experienced unequal indirect impacts resulting from the pandemic and the measures undertaken to contain it. Underlying factors contributing to the unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic include but are not limited to, level of deprivation, education, health status and financial resources.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – Summary Calendar

This Summary Calendar has collated, synthesised and presented a clear and concise summary of the COVID-19 International Horizon Scanning Reports over the past year, since April 2020 through to March 2021. The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream has proved to showcase informative and impactful research whilst collating data from other countries, providing guidance, recommendations and useful insights regarding the evolving nature and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 1 July 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
– COVID-19 impact on education and schooling practices
– Environmental impact of COVID-19
– Country insight: South Africa

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 10 June 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
COVID-19 vaccine uptake across the world
Re-opening policies
Country insight: India

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 13 May 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).

Topics of focus are:
Long COVID
Telework due to COVID-19

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 22 April 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).

Topics of focus are:
Global COVID-19 vaccination rollout
International travel measures
COVID-19 epidemiological update

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Welsh Health Equity Status Report – WHESRi

This report aims to help inform and support a sustainable response and recovery from Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, placing health equity at its heart.
It reinforces our understanding of how interdependent individual and societal well-being, and the wider economy are, towards achieving prosperity for all. The report also contributes to strengthening the leading role of Wales at the forefront of the health equity and sustainable development agenda in Europe and globally.

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.

How to Make the Case for Sustainable Investment in Well-being and Health Equity: A Practical Guide

Health inequities are not inevitable. Coordinated policy action on the determinants of health combined with well designed and implemented governance approaches have a dual effect on reducing the health gap and improving overall population health. This guide is the first product developed under Public Health Wales’ WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) on Investment for Health and Well-being work programme and outlines four key phases on how to synthesize, translate and communicate public health economics evidence into policy and practice. The interrelated four phases guide the reader through the process of developing evidence-informed products, which are context and target audience specific. The guide aims to (i) prevent disinvestment in health; (ii) increase investment in prevention (public health); and (iii) and mainstream cross-sectoral investment to address the wider determinants of health and equity, driving sustainable development for  prosperity for all. It has been developed based on a mixed-method approach including an evidence review, interviews with national and international experts, and a multisectoral stakeholder consultation which ensured relevance and transferability across sectors, contexts, settings and countries.

HEAR Study

This study addresses the gaps in knowledge of health services experiences of adult asylum seekers and refugees in Wales, to inform policy and practice with the view to realising Wales’ ambition to become a Nation of Sanctuary, and supporting universal health coverage in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Driving Prosperity for All through Investing for Health and Well-being – An Evidence Informed Guide for Cross-sector Investment

This guide identifies ten key evidence-informed policy opportunities for investment in Wales. Opportunities identified in the report address areas of high burden and cost in Wales, delivering economic as well as social and environmental returns, and supporting sustainable inclusive economic growth. The guide will help decision-makers to implement the Welsh Government’s Prosperity for All national strategy.

IHCC Progress Report 2015-17

The International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC) published a report highlighting its achievements in supporting implementation of the Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales. The latest IHCC Progress Report outlines the work, progress and achievements from 2015 to 2017 made by the IHCC and the Welsh Health Boards and Trusts in this field. It also shows how the IHCC has evolved in relation to global, UK, national and local developments.

Global Citizenship for Welsh Health Professionals

This evaluation report outlines results from pilot courses for Global Citizenship Training for NHS Wales health professionals. The pilots build on a scoping questionnaire from 2015 which identified a clear interest in such training. The IHCC worked in collaboration with the WCIA to develop and pilot Global Citizenship training courses in partnership with Cwm Taf University Health Board as part of their international engagement under the Charter for International Health Partnerships (in English only).