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.

Authors: Jo Peden, Rhiannon Griffiths+ 3 more
, Sara Southall, Rebecca Hill, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

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

Authors: Leah Silva, Daniela Stewart+ 9 more
, Zuwaira Hashim, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Rachel Bennett, Georgia Saye, Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Rhiannon Griffiths, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Emily Clark, Jo Peden
International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Impact of Poverty on Babies Children and Young People Report 48

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Impact of Poverty on Babies Children and Young People Report 48

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: Impact of Poverty on Babies, Children and Young People

Authors: Leah Silva, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)+ 6 more
, Daniela Stewart, Rachel Bennett, Zuwaira Hashim, Rhiannon Griffiths, Jo Peden, Mariana Dyakova
Influencing the Health Gap: Multi-Country Perspectives

Influencing the Health Gap: Multi-Country Perspectives

The Welsh Health Equity Status Report initiative (WHESRi) has updated a spotlight feature blog on the innovative decomposition analysis methodology. This now includes the addition on a summary report on a multi-country webinar, with insights from Wales, Italy and Slovenia. The webinar was a solutions-focused session which explored how the application of the decomposition analysis methodology has generated insights into the drivers of health inequalities.

A key finding of the webinar was the need to strengthen the case for investing in well-being and health equity in Wales and beyond through policies and solution-based actions that were identified throughout the webinar.

Authors: Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Sara Cooklin-Urbano+ 2 more
, Mariana Dyakova, Jo Peden
International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Embedding Prevention in Primary and Community Care Report 47

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Embedding Prevention in Primary and Community Care Report 47

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: Embedding Prevention in Primary and Community Care

Authors: Leah Silva, Daniela Stewart+ 5 more
, Rachel Bennett, Zuwaira Hashim, Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Mariana Dyakova

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Five Essential Conditions for Health Equity Report 46

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: Five Essential Conditions for Health Equity

Authors: Leah Silva, Daniela Stewart+ 4 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Mariana Dyakova, Jo Peden

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Mental Health and Well-being of Refugees and Asylum-Seekers Report 45

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: Mental Health and Well-being of Refugees and Asylum-Seekers

Authors: Leah Silva, Daniela Stewart+ 3 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Mariana Dyakova

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.

Authors: Rebecca Hill, Jo Peden+ 7 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Mariana Dyakova, Daniela Stewart, James Allen, Golibe Ezenwugo, Anna Stielke, Kathryn Ashton
Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform - acronym WHESP

Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform (WHESP)

The Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform will act as a repository of information, case studies, and previous interventions used to help combat inequity and share good practice in Wales.
The platform features searchable data tools and a report-generating function which allows users to input their search terms and produce outputs related to those terms. The platform also offers a spotlight feature that can be used to highlight particular solutions or themes.
The team will develop the platform over time to add additional content and features.

Authors: Rebecca Hill, Jo Peden+ 12 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Mariana Dyakova, Daniela Stewart, James Allen, Liz Green, Rebecca Masters, Leah Silva, Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Golibe Ezenwugo, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Jason Roberts, Rajendra Kadel

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

Authors: Mariana Dyakova, Emily Clark+ 14 more
, Andrew Cotter-Roberts, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Golibe Ezenwugo, Leah Silva, Anna Stielke, Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), James Allen, Aimee Challenger, Claire Beynon, Mark Bellis, Mischa Van Eimeren, Angie Kirby, Benjamin Bainham

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Communication campaigns for vaccine acceptance

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: Communication campaigns for vaccine acceptance

Authors: Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Leah Silva+ 6 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Golibe Ezenwugo, Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Aimee Challenger, Emily Clark, Mariana Dyakova

International Horizon Scanning and Learning Report: Early childhood education and care

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: Early childhood education and care

Authors: Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Leah Silva+ 5 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Golibe Ezenwugo, Sara Cooklin-Urbano, Emily Clark, Mariana Dyakova

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

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 5 more
, Anna Stielke, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), James Allen, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis), Emily Clark

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.

Authors: Mariana Dyakova, Claire Beynon+ 9 more
, Mark Bellis, Anna Stielke, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), James Allen, Andrew Cotter-Roberts, Mischa Van Eimeren, Benjamin Bainham, Angie Kirby, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 6 more
, Claire Beynon, Charlotte Bowles, Anna Stielke, James Allen, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 18 March 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:
Pregnancy and COVID-19
COVID-19 transmission in supermarkets
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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

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.

Authors: Mariana Dyakova, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)+ 10 more
, James Allen, Mischa Van Eimeren, Anna Stielke, Andrew Cotter-Roberts, Rajendra Kadel, Benjamin Bainham, Kathryn Ashton, Daniela Stewart, Karen Hughes, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 04 March 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 transmission in hospital settings
COVID-19 impact on physical activity
COVID-19 and food poverty
COVID-19 impact on rural areas

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 19 February 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:
The long-term health impact of remote working
Predicting futures and scenario planning
Sustainable recovery from COVID-19
COVID-19 epidemiology 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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 4 February 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:
Genomic sequencing for COVID-19 (follow up from Report 22)
Psychological impact of COVID-19 and lockdown fatigue
Country insights: Israel, Taiwan and South Korea

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 21 January 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:
Genomic sequencing for COVID-19
Loss of education due to COVID-19
COVID-19 impact on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 17 December 2020

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:
Pandemic fatigue and population adherence to COVID-19 measures
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and distribution
Comparing COVID-19 cumulative rates
Measures to prevent COVID-19 in long-term care facilities

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 3 December 2020

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:
Impact of COVID-19 measures on interpersonal violence
COVID-19 and alcohol consumption

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 19 November 2020

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 and international travel
Socio-economic impact of COVID-19, including on employment, migrant workers and QUALYs lost
COVID-19 epidemiology 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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 05 November 2020

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated following and informing 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:
Approaches to COVID-19 during autumn and winter across Europe
Disruption to essential health services: impact and mitigation

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 22 October 2020

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:
Transmission of COVID-19 in children and young people
COVID-19 epidemiology 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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 8 October 2020

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 universities and international students
COVID-19 and pregnancy
COVID-19 quarantine and isolation facilities
Country insight: Sweden

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 22 September 2020

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 severity and diverging trends for cases and deaths
COVID-19 impact on children and young people
COVID-19 impact on mental health and well-being
Country insight: United States, India, Italy

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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 3 September 2020

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 reporting methods and public perception of risk
COVID-19 in the Southern Hemisphere
Epidemiology update and R insight
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.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)