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.

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.

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.

Time to Talk Public Health: Findings of Neath Port Talbot Regional Survey 2025

To support the response of the Community Relations and Wellbeing Workstream of the TATA Steel UK Transition Board, Public Health Wales commissioned a regional survey as part of Time to Talk Public Health to investigate the health, social and financial status of people living in Neath Port Talbot as the area experiences the changes at TATA Steel. The survey was completed between January and March 2025 with 301 people who were representative of the local area by age, sex and deprivation. This report presents the findings of the regional survey.

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).

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.

Adverse childhood and school experiences: a retrospective cross-sectional study examining their associations with health-related behaviours and mental health

This study examined relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), school experiences and adult health outcomes in a sample of the Welsh adult general population. It found ACEs and negative school experiences (having been bullied and lower sense of school belonging) were independently associated with poorer adult mental health. Experiencing both ACEs and negative school experiences exacerbated risks of poorer mental health. The study indicates the protective role that schools may play in fostering resilience among children who experience adversity in home settings.

Where Are the Knowledge Gaps in Menopause Across a Population? A National Cross-Sectional Survey in Wales

This paper presents secondary data analysis from Time to Talk Public Health.

This study explored perceived knowledge of menopause, awareness of menopausal symptoms, perceived negative impacts of menopause on females’ lives, and attitudes towards menopause. Most participants reported having low knowledge of the menopause, but were aware of ‘stereotypical’ symptoms such as hot flushes and changes to mood. This study highlights differences in knowledge and attitudes to menopause by different socio-demographics (e.g. age, gender). More evidence and understanding is needed on menopause, from both those who experience the menopause and those who do not experience the menopause, to support woman to have a more positive experience.

Time to Talk Public Health: August 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 August 2024 survey covering: Cardiovascular health, Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service, travelling to health appointments, healthy weight, mealtimes and vaccines.

Time to Talk Public Health: May 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 May 2024 survey covering: Carbon Monoxide; Vaccines; Infections; and Health Stigma.

Associations between adverse childhood experiences and trust in health and other information from public services, professionals and wider sources: a national cross-sectional survey

Trust in health and other systems can affect uptake of public health advice and engagement with health services. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase individuals’ risks of ill health, thus understanding how ACEs affect trust in sources of health advice and other support is important to inform engagement with this vulnerable group. This study examined associations between ACEs and trust in health advice, other information and public services in a nationally representative sample of 1,880 adults in Wales.

Time to Talk Public Health: February 2024 Panel Survey Findings, including a parent boost sample

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. Welsh residents were asked their views on a range of public health topics. The survey had a focus on topics relating to children’s health and well-being, including questions of specific relevance to parents. To increase participation of parents in the survey, a parent boost sample was recruited to take part in the survey in addition to the routine general population sample. The February survey focused on the following six topics: parenting information needs, perceptions of breastfeeding, role of education settings in child health, child behaviour strategies, mental well-being, and technology use with family and friends.

Time to Talk Public Health: December 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a national panel of Welsh residents aged 16+ years established by Public Health Wales enabling 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 December 2023 survey covering: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines, Vaccination and pregnancy, NHS 111 Wales Service, and Primary Care Clusters.

Time to Talk Public Health: October 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a national panel of Welsh residents aged 16+ years established by Public Health Wales enabling 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 2023 survey covering: 20mph speed limits, vaping, use of antibiotics, HIV, vaccines, addressing inequalities and coronavirus.

Parental technoference and adolescents’ mental health and violent behaviour: a scoping review

The term ‘technoference’ refers to habitual interferences and disruptions within interpersonal relationships or time spent together due to use of electronic devices. Emerging evidence suggests associations between parental technoference and young people’s mental health and violent behaviours. This scoping review sought to summarise the existing literature. Findings suggest that parents should be aware of the environment in which they use electronic devices as their use can potentially, directly and indirectly, influence adolescent mental health and violent behaviours. Further research into the potential caveats of parental technoference could support the development of evidence-informed guidelines for parental management of electronic devices.

Time to Talk Public Health: August 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a national panel of Welsh residents aged 16+ years 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 August 2023 survey covering: Emergency Departments, Campaigns, Cost of Living, Dental Health, Bowel Screening, and Post-natal Weight Management.

Time to Talk Public Health: June 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a national panel of Welsh residents aged 16+ years 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 2023 survey covering: NHS waiting lists, Housing, Witnessing violence, Mental well-being, Primary care.

Time to Talk Public Health: February – March 2023 Panel Survey Findings Report 2

Time to Talk Public Health is a nationally representative panel of Welsh residents aged 16+ years established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice. In April we published a report presenting findings from the February – March 2023 survey which focused on screening, sustainability, campaigns and current concerns. This second report from the February – March 2023 survey is focused on findings relating to food environments and healthy weight.

Time to Talk Public Health: April 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a new nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice.
This month’s survey covered physical activity, active travel, menopause, shingles, and climate change.

Time to Talk Public Health: February – March 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a new nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice. This report presents findings from the February – March 2023 survey, covering issues including screening, sustainability, campaigns and current concerns. The following topics were also asked in the survey: food environments, healthy weight and Healthy Weight Healthy You campaign, however, their findings will be reported internally initially and published at a later date.

Time to Talk Public Health: January 2023 Panel Survey Findings

Time to Talk Public Health is a new nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice.
This month’s survey covered mental well-being, vaccines, risk-taking behaviour and health inequalities.

Time to Talk Public Health: Panel Recruitment Survey

Time to Talk Public Health is a new nationally representative panel of Welsh residents established by Public Health Wales to enable regular public engagement to inform public health policy and practice.
This report presents the demographics of the 2,000 panel members recruited during the first stage of the project. Findings from the initial recruitment survey, focusing on cost of living, coronavirus and priorities for Public Health Wales, are also reported.

Adverse childhood experiences and their relationship with poor sexual health outcomes: results from four cross-sectional surveys

Improving understanding of risk factors for risky sexual behaviour is fundamental to achieve better population sexual health. This study explored associations between ACEs and poor sexual health outcomes in the UK. Findings highlight the need for effective interventions to prevent and ameliorate the lifelong effects of ACEs. Trauma-informed relationships and sex education, sexual health services, and antenatal/postnatal services, particularly for teenagers and young parents, could provide opportunities to prevent ACEs and support those affected.

Exploring the health and service utilisation of general practice patients with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): an observational study using electronic health records

To examine the relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), chronic health and health service utilisation among a sample of general practice patients.

Health and financial burden of adverse childhood experiences in England and Wales: a combined primary data study of five surveys 

A Study to estimate the health and financial burden of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in England and Wales.

Public acceptability of public health policy to improve population health: a population-based survey

A study to explore public acceptance of public health statements in Wales.

Population Health in a Digital Age

This report examines population health in a digital age and focuses on social media use in Wales. These insights help us to better understand the extent to which people in Wales use social media, and how patterns of use vary across population groups. The findings challenge some preconceptions (for example, that only younger age groups engage with social media), and identify opportunities warranting further consideration.

Understanding the association between self-reported poor oral health and exposure to adverse childhood experiences: a retrospective study

Adverse childhood experiences, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse, can have detrimental impacts on child and adult health. However, little research has explored the impact that such early life experiences have on oral health. This study examines whether experiencing adverse childhood experiences before the age of 18 years is associated with self-reported poor dental health in later life.

Gambling as a public health issue in Wales 

Gambling is increasingly being recognised as a public health priority. Recent years have seen a rapid growth in the availability and advertising of gambling, driven by factors including relaxed gambling regulations and technological development.

Adverse childhood experiences and sources of childhood resilience: a retrospective study of their combined relationships with child health and educational attendance

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) including maltreatment and exposure to household stressors can impact the health of children. Community factors that provide support, friendship and opportunities for development may build children’s resilience and protect them against some harmful impacts of ACEs. This paper examines if a history of ACEs is associated with poor childhood health and school attendance and the extent to which such outcomes are counteracted by community resilience assets.