Resources

Keeping warm at home during winter in Wales: Differences in heating behaviours, coping strategies, and wellbeing from 2022 to 2023

People’s homes can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. This includes the ability to keep warm at home during winter. This report describes the findings of a national household survey of residents in Wales aged 18 years and over between January to March 2022 (wave one) and repeated between January to March 2023 (wave two). The findings use a sample of 507 participants who completed both survey waves.

Cold indoor temperatures and their association with health and well-being: a systematic literature review

Evidence suggests that indoor temperatures <18°C are associated with negative health effects. This study aimed to identify, appraise and update evidence on the association between cold temperatures (i.e. <18°C) within homes (i.e. dwellings) and health and well-being outcomes. Significant gaps in the current evidence base are identified, including research on the impacts of cold indoor temperatures on mental health and well-being, studies involving young children, and the long-term health effects of cold indoor temperatures.

Health Impact Assessment for Climate Adaptation: Examples from Practice

This briefing focusses on adaptation to address climate change and the application of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a process that can support policy makers to maximise wellbeing benefits, minimise harm to health, and avoid widening health inequalities when designing adaptation policies. It contains five case studies – two international and three from Wales, and provides action oriented examples of putting HIA into practice.

The health, well-being and equity impact of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Agreement on Wales

This report provides a short summary of the findings of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Agreement on Wales. This report is a high-level, evidence-based strategic overview. It summarises the main health, well-being and equity impacts that could potentially occur in the short and longer-term following the UK’s accession to the CPTPP.

Cold homes and their association with health and well-being: a systematic literature review

As part of a wider project to determine whether current indoor temperature standards for households in Wales are optimal for people’s comfort, health, and well-being, this review aims to identify and appraise the current evidence on the association between cold homes and health and well-being.

Cost of living crisis in Wales: A public health lens

The cost of living crisis is having, and will continue to have, wide-ranging and long-term impacts on the day-to-day lives of people in Wales.
This report summarises the ways in which the cost of living crisis can impact on health and well-being. It takes a public health lens to identify actions for policy makers and decision-makers to protect and promote the health and well-being of people in Wales in their response to the cost of living crisis, outlining what a public health approach to the crisis could look like in the short and longer-term.

Protecting the mental wellbeing of our future generations: learning from COVID-19 for the long term

This comprehensive Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment (MWIA) has been carried out by the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit to identify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated policy responses, on the mental wellbeing of young people aged 10-24 in Wales.

The MWIA was carried out with the engagement of young people, teachers and lecturers and the support of a Strategic Advisory Group with representatives from a range of organisations in Wales.

The report aims to provide evidence and learning to inform cross-sector policy and practice directed at pandemic recovery, future emergencies and improving population mental wellbeing for the long term.

The Health and Well-being Impact of Regional Funding in Wales

This report focuses specifically on the health and well-being impact of the loss of European Union (EU) Structural Funds and the risks and opportunities presented by a replacement scheme. It aims to inform national, regional and local decision makers in Wales, particularly those involved in the allocation and management of future regional funding schemes. The report contains key insights on the current importance of the EU Structural Funds for the health and well-being of local areas with a focus on different population groups.

Rising to the Triple Challenge of Brexit, COVID-19 and Climate Change for health, well-being and equity in Wales, Spotlight on: Rural Communities

A new report published by Public Health Wales highlights how the combined influences of Brexit, Coronavirus and climate change will potentially see rural communities in Wales experience a time of great change, with both opportunities and negative impacts to navigate.

Maximising health and well-being opportunities for spatial planning in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery

The pandemic has explicitly exposed, and in some examples, exacerbated the health, well-being and inequalities impacts across the population which are derived from determinants such as the environment, land use, transport, economy and housing. This report aims to highlight the major positive and negative health impacts of spatial planning policies during the COVID-19 pandemic on the population of Wales, learn from these, any positive interventions and co-benefits in order to shape a healthier future environment for all.

No place like home? Exploring the health and well-being impact of COVID-19 on housing and housing insecurity

This comprehensive and participatory Health Impact Assessment (HIA) explores the health and well-being impact of COVID-19 on housing and housing insecurity, and looks at the importance of having a consistent home that is of good quality, affordable, and feels safe. It also considers security of tenure in relation to stability, and being able to maintain a roof over one’s head and ultimately prevent homelessness. It is the third in a series, which focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population of Wales including the ‘Staying at Home and Social Distancing Policy’ and the impact of home and agile working. This report can be read in conjunction with these and the sections on housing and home working within them.

Rising to the Triple Challenge of Brexit, COVID-19 and Climate Change for health, well-being and equity in Wales Spotlight on: Food Security

This paper highlights how the combined influences of Brexit, Coronavirus and climate change will potentially impact everyone through the food that is produced, accessed, available and consumed.

Rising to the Triple Challenge of Brexit, COVID-19 and Climate Change for health, well-being and equity in Wales

This report provides a strategic overview of the impact, and interconnectedness, of the enormous events of Brexit, COVID-19
pandemic and climate change. It identifies the key determinants and population groups affected by the Triple Challenge and provides a key example against a determinant.

Brexit and Poverty in Wales: A Public Health Lens

The aim of this report is to strengthen knowledge and understanding of the implications of the United Kingdom’s (UK) exit from the European Union (EU) – ‘Brexit’ – on poverty, and health and well-being in Wales.

Using health impact assessment (HIA) to understand the wider health and wellbeing implications of policy decisions: the COVID-19 ‘staying at home and social distancing policy’ in Wales

This paper focusses on a HIA of the ‘Staying at Home and Social Distancing Policy’ or ‘lockdown’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales conducted by the Welsh national public health institute. It describes the process and findings, captures the learning and discusses how the process has been used to better understand the wider health and well-being impacts of policy decisions beyond direct health harm. It also examines the role of public health institutes in promoting and using HIA.

A COVID-19 pandemic world and beyond: The public health impact of Home and Agile Working in Wales

Due to the pandemic and policies such as the ‘Staying at Home and Social Distancing policy’, home and agile working has become necessary for many organisations and employees. This HIA aims to identify the impact of this shift in working practice and to articulate the differential impacts of such a change for organisations, the working population of Wales, their families and local communities.

Process, Practice and Progress: A Case Study of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of Brexit in Wales

In 2018, the Health impact assessment (HIA) support unit in Wales carried out a comprehensive and unique HIA on the impact of Brexit in Wales. The aims were to understand the differential impacts that Brexit would have on the health and well-being of the population and to provide evidence to inform decision makers across a range of public bodies. This paper reflects on the process of carrying out the HIA and the methods used. It discusses the stages of the HIA, and shares the findings and reflections of implementation which will be beneficial to other HIA practitioners and policy makers.

A Health Impact Assessment of the ‘Staying at Home and Social Distancing Policy’ in Wales in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HIA outlines the potential health and wellbeing impacts of the Staying at Home and Social Distancing Policy (commonly referred to as ‘Lockdown’) on the population of Wales in the short, medium and long term. It draws upon learning from international evidence, latest data and intelligence and the views of expert stakeholders.

Young People and Brexit

In the years that have followed the European Union (EU) referendum in 2016, Brexit has seldom been out of the news. Despite considerable activity, there was still uncertainty around Brexit at the time of this research; not just around the logistics of if, when and how the UK might leave the EU but also what the implications of Brexit might be for the UK and for Wales – or even what effect the last few years might already have had.

Improving winter health and well-being and reducing winter pressures in Wales – Technical Report

This technical report acknowledges the effects of traditional seasonal factors that cause poor health such as influenza and injuries due to falls, as well as finding wider issues such as poverty, poor housing and unhealthy behaviours having a significant impact on winter health and well-being.

Improving winter health and well-being and reducing winter pressures in Wales 

This report aims to describe the impact of winter and cold weather on health and well-being in Wales and the subsequent effects on health and care services, in a way that can inform strategic planning for the future.

The Public Health Implications of Brexit in Wales: A Health Impact Assessment approach – A Rapid Review and Update

This is a short supplementary follow up report and builds on a detailed analysis of The Public Health Implications of Brexit in Wales: A Health Impact Assessment Approach, originally published in January 2019, which examines the potential effects of Brexit on the short, medium and long-term health and well-being of people living in Wales.

Implementing the Sustainable Development Principle: Lessons from a Literature Review on Implementing the Five Ways of Working

This resource provides key learning and actions that public bodies, policy makers and practitioners can take to implement the sustainable development principle, as set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

A Taxing Issue

The report focuses on contemporary population health concerns related to diets where taxation has been considered or implemented elsewhere, and/or is a viable innovation within the Welsh context. Excluded from the scope of this report are topic areas where taxation and other fiscal policy approaches are already in place by UK Government (for example, on alcohol and tobacco) and environmental-related taxation.

Making A Difference Housing and Health: A Case for Investment Main Report

This report is an extension of Public Health Wales’ Making a Difference publications and aims to inform, support and advocate for wider health policy and cross-sector approaches and interventions offering benefits to the public, health system, society and the economy. The report summarises the impact housing (across tenure) has on health and well-being across the life course; sets out the case for investing in housing as a determinant of health by identifying which interventions work and offer value for money; and identifies priority areas for preventative action within Wales.

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.

The Public Health Implications of Brexit in Wales: A Health Impact Assessment Approach

The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) (informally referred to as “Brexit”) is an unprecedented event in UK history, and evidence of the impact of Brexit on a wide range of policy areas is either unknown or highly contested. The Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit, Public Health Wales, has carried out a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to better understand the potential implications of Brexit for future health and well-being in Wales.

Futures for Wales

We are living in an increasingly changing and globalised world, where new developments and transformation over the next century will be greater than those of the previous millennia. This poses multiple and sometimes unknown challenges as well as bringing new opportunities.

Making a Difference: Reducing health risks associated with road traffic pollution in Wales

This work is an extension of Public Health Wales’ Making a Difference report and draws on research evidence and expert opinion to identify action to reduce road traffic-related air pollution, risks and inequalities.

Sustainable development in Wales and other regions in Europe – achieving health and equity for present and future generations

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015), complemented by the WHO European policy framework and strategy for the 21st century, Health 2020, represents a milestone for human and planetary development. This publication proposes ways of maximizing opportunities to implement these agendas at the national and regional levels across the WHO European Region.