Resources

Preventing homelessness in care experienced individuals

The number and rate of children in local authority care in Wales has been increasing year on year and care experienced individuals are more likely to experience homelessness than other adolescents.
There are various models of practice to support young people when they leave care to prevent an experience of homelessness. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse Welsh, United Kingdom (UK) and international models of response in relation to care experienced individuals (aged 16-25) and homelessness prevention, and to identify promising practice in this field and further areas for improvement.
This study sought to give a voice to care experienced young people. It summarises the international evidence and the lived experience of care experienced individuals and provides suggestions from service providers on new models of care and how these could best be implemented.
It will be of interest to policy makers and housing and social care practitioners alike.

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

Population health and wellbeing is both a result, as well as a driver, of economic development and prosperity on global, European, national and sub-national (local) levels. 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. We estimate output, income, employment, value-added, and import multipliers of the healthcare sector. 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.

Communities and Climate Change in a Future Wales

Communities and Climate Change in a Future Wales explores how particular communities feel about the impacts of climate change, and how these impacts might exacerbate existing inequalities. The project was designed collaboratively and involved participants in long-term thinking about climate and inequalities, considering what problems might need preventing, and integrating the findings with other studies and projects in the field.
The project reports not only contain the findings from this work, but also provide resources for policymakers to implement similar creative futuring techniques to involve communities in long-term thinking.
The Storybook is produced by FLiNT under Partnership Agreement between FLiNT and the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, and in association with Public Health Wales.

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

Facilitators, Barriers and Views on the Role of Public Health Institutes in Promoting and Using Health Impact Assessment—An International Virtual Scoping Survey and Expert Interviews

Public health institutes have an important role in promoting and protecting the health and well-being of populations. A key focus of such institutes are the wider determinants of health, embracing the need to advocate for ‘Health in All Policies’ (HiAP). A valuable tool to support this is the health impact assessment. This scoping study aims to support public health institutes to advocate more successfully for the use of health impact assessments and HiAP in order to promote and protect health, well-being and equity. It highlights the enablers and barriers to the use of HIA in the contexts of the participants and suggests some actions which PHIs can take and Units they can learn from. The results from this study can serve as a platform to help build knowledge, networks and expertise, to help support a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach and address inequalities which exist in all societies.

What Works in the Prevention and Early Intervention of ACEs at the Community Level? Identifying and Supporting Projects across Wales

Previous research undertaken by ACE Hub Wales indicated that community projects across Wales provide support for community members in respect of a range of adversities. Building on this research, the aim of this project is to identify and map further community projects; to understand the most effective methods of supporting these projects as well as barriers to engagement; and finally to explore the impact of services on community groups

Parental adverse childhood experiences and perpetration of child physical punishment in Wales

In 2022, Wales joined the growing number of countries to ban physical punishment of children in all settings. Using data collected a year prior to legislative change, this study explores relationships between Welsh parents’ exposure to ACEs whilst growing up and their use of physical punishment towards children.

Climate Change and Health in Wales: Views from the public

This report presents initial findings from a survey of adult residents in Wales on their perceptions of climate change and health. Whilst work to understand and mitigate climate change is gaining momentum in Wales, there remains a lack of information on population views and behaviours. Such data are critical for the co-creation of effective and acceptable approaches to climate change that help protect public health; the targeting of key messages and information; and the establishment of long-term solutions across Wales that will continue to be supported across multiple generations. To address this gap, a public survey was developed to seek the population’s views about climate change, its relationship with health, their current climate friendly behaviours, their willingness to engage in action, and views on policy solutions. This report presents initial findings from the survey, providing population-level views on climate change among adult residents in Wales.

Has Brexit changed how Wales participates in global infectious disease prevention, preparedness and response?

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed infectious diseases to the top of government agendas around the world. Simultaneously, Brexit has influenced how the UK, and therefore Wales collaborates with international partners on infectious diseases.
Timelines for Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic overlapped, many post-Brexit arrangements were still in development. The next international public health emergency will test the new systems in Wales/the UK.
Brexit has been shown to have the potential to impact on the health and well-being of the Welsh population and is therefore a consideration in the context of infectious disease prevention, preparedness and response.
This briefing explores how the UK’s exit from the EU has changed its international relationships and processes for dealing with future infectious disease threats.

Cost of health inequality to the NHS in Wales

There are wide inequalities in health and healthcare use between people living in more deprived neighborhoods and those living in less deprived neighborhoods in Wales. Tackling health inequality through a combination of health promotion and early intervention policies targeted toward deprived communities could yield substantial improvement in health and wellbeing, as well as savings for the Welsh NHS.

A Service Evaluation of the Delivery and Implementation of a Hospital-Based Violence Prevention Team within the University Hospital of Wales

When it was established in 2019, the Violence Prevention Unit commissioned a new nurse-led intervention at the University Hospital of Wales, with the understanding that Emergency Departments have a unique opportunity to intervene early, and prevent victims of violence from being hurt again. The evaluation of the Violence Prevention Team explores the development and implementation of the service within the Emergency Department, and the nature and level of support provided to patients with violence-related injury. The evaluation included interviews with clinical staff and other professionals, for example, police, as well as analysis of service data.

The public health impact of loneliness during the COVID‑19 pandemic

Social distancing measures have been effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19; however, they have imposed a significant burden on population mental health and well-being. This study established an association between loneliness and self-reported worsening health during the pandemic, and identified factors increasing the risk of loneliness. The effect that social control measures have on loneliness should influence the design of future public health policy.

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

Exploring the social value of Public Health Institutes: An international scoping survey and expert interviews

Making the case for investing in preventative public health by illustrating not only the health impact but the social, economic and environmental value of Public Health Institutes is imperative. This is captured by the concept of Social Value, which when measured, demonstrates the combined intersectoral value of public health. This research can inform future work to understand how to measure the holistic social value of Public Health Institutes, in order to strengthen institutional capacity and impact, as well as to achieve a more equitable society, and a more sustainable health system and economy, making the case for investing in public health, as we recover from COVID-19.

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – August 2022

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. This report presents trends in responses to a selection of core questions over the two year period, including: worry about coronavirus; mental and physical health; worry about finances; and perceptions of the national response. It examines differences in responses by deprivation, gender and age.

Green Opportunities Spring/ Summer 2022

Green Opportunities is a new e-briefing from the Health and Sustainability Hub. The quarterly updates capture learning to aid Wales’ green recovery from COVID-19, identifying sustainable opportunities to support population health.

Influencing the Health Gap in Wales: Decomposition analysis discussion paper

The aim of this discussion paper is to help inform further policy action and potential solutions in order to reduce the health gap in Wales and beyond.
It provides a snapshot of the health inequalities experienced by different population groups in the years leading up to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, applying an innovative statistical methodology, a ‘Decomposition analysis’.

The paper attempts to quantify the health gap in Wales, as well as to provide a better understanding of its main drivers across the five essential conditions for healthy prosperous lives for all, using a novel World Health Organization framework. It uses three measures of self-reported health: 1) the prevalence of fair/poor health; 2) the prevalence of low mental well-being; and 3) the prevalence of low life satisfaction, comparing these between:
• Those who are able to make a saving of at least £10/month and those who are not;
• Those who report being in material deprivation and those who do not; and
• Those who report a limiting longstanding illness, disability or infirmity and those who do not.

The analysis has generated an insight into the drivers of health inequities, identifying those which contribute the most, namely ‘Social and Human Capital’ and ‘Income Security and Social Protection’; while ‘Health Services’ has accounted the least. However, systematic differences are able to explain less than half (<50%) of the health gaps for the majority of the health outcomes, based on the statistical models.

The paper highlights the need for a basket of policy and investment decisions, prioritising the key drivers of health inequity, in consensus across sectors. Further exploration and engagement with experts, stakeholders, relevant groups and communities is essential to improve understanding of the health equity gap and its drivers.

It hopes to inform the following national and international stakeholders:
• Public health professionals
• Public policy makers and budget holders on national and local levels
• Statisticians, health scientists and data analysts
• All those who have a role in influencing the health equity gap in Wales and further afield

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.

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.

Resources for Sustainable Health

Helping organisations and individuals to consider the natural environment and the health of the planet and people in everything they do.

The Resources for Sustainable Health e-catalogue gives a brief summary of all the resources produced by the Health and Sustainability Hub.

The resources promoted in the e-catalogue will help teams and individuals reduce their impact on the environment and climate change, and encourage sustainable behaviour in both their work and home life.

The resources are a mixture of e-briefs, reports and toolkits, which bring together research, ideas, suggestions and practical actions. Some are aimed at individual or team level, some at organisation, national, or international policy level, to support sustainability, improve health and well-being, help embed the Well-being of Future Generations Act and reduce our impact on the planet.

WHO CC Scrapbook 2021-22

In 2017 the WHO CC began a special scrapbook, capturing the efforts of all staff in the directorate providing a permanent and easily accessible archive of our mutual activity and achievements. The scrapbook was initiated following feedback from the staff survey whereby as a way to recognise the hard work from across the directorate of all staff and activities; not just those elements visible within the IMTP.

The WHO CC Scrapbook is a way to collect a visual representation of the value and impact of staff achievements. It is a celebration and reminder of the great work we produce as a Directorate each year individually and in collaboration with the wider organisation, stakeholders and partners outside of Public Health Wales – in Wales and around the globe.

Sustainable Investment in Population Health and Well-being: Towards a Value-Based Public Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being (WHO CC) at Public Health Wales is progressing a pioneering programme of work, applying a Social Value approach towards building a ‘Value-Based Public Health’ and an Economy of Wellbeing in Wales.

Circular Economies and Sustainable Health and Well-being

The report – ‘Circular Economies and Sustainable Health and Well-being: The public health impact of public bodies refocusing on waste reduction and reuse in Wales’, details how implementing policies to reduce and re-use waste, alongside recycling schemes will have possible significant positive impacts on health and well-being for the whole population of Wales. These include contributing to tackling the climate emergency and thereby reducing air pollution, reducing risk of extreme weather events, increased sustainable production of food and improved mental health and well-being.

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.

Public Health Wales Decarbonisation Action Plan 2022/24

Public Health Wales’ Decarbonisation Action Plan (DAP) sets out the key actions and strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) supporting our journey to becoming Net Zero by 2030.

The plan identifies deliverable actions for two years from April 2022 to March 2024, aligning to and supporting NHS Wales’s Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan.

The use of mobile phone applications to enhance personal safety from interpersonal violence – an overview of available smartphone applications in the United Kingdom

Interpersonal violence has devastating implications for individuals, families, and communities across the globe, placing a significant burden on health, justice, and social welfare systems. Smartphone technology may provide a platform for violence prevention interventions. This paper explores the evidence on the availability and user experience of UK smartphone applications aimed to prevent violence and improve personal safety. The findings have implications for the development of policy on applications to improve personal safety, especially given recent national policy (e.g. UK) discussions about their utility.

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.

Adverse childhood experiences and COVID-19 in Bolton

This report seeks to explore, for the Bolton population, any association between ACE exposure and COVID-19 infection. It will also seek to identify if ACE exposure is associated with: trust in COVID-19 health information; attitudes towards, and compliance with COVID-19 restrictions (e.g. use of face coverings, social distancing); and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. A better understanding of such relationships will help local services understand how they can encourage compliance with public health restrictions and vaccine uptake; information crucial for targeting health messaging and the management of threats to public health, including future pandemics.

#SafeToSay Phase One Evaluation

The Wales Violence Prevention Unit developed a violence prevention campaign, #SafeToSay, in collaboration with Good Night Out Campaign and with support from Welsh Women’s Aid. The campaign sought to prevent sexual harassment and violence in the night time economy as COVID-19 restrictions eased in Wales.

This evaluation reports on Phase One of the campaign, which was delivered in Cardiff and Swansea between June and July 2021. The evaluation found that overall, the campaign met its four objectives by encouraging prosocial bystander behaviours in response to sexual harassment within the night time economy.

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.