An article examined the perceived problems of non-engagement that outreach healthcare aimed to address, and the specific mechanisms of outreach that were hypothesized to tackle these. The authors identified seven types of engagement 'problem' and corresponding solutions. These 'problems' lay on a continuum of complexity in terms of the challenges they presented to primary care.
Source: Mhairi Mackenzie, Fiona Turner, Stephen Platt, Maggie Reid, Ying-ying Wang, Julia Clark, Sanjeev Sridharan, and Catherine O'Donnell, 'What is the "problem" that outreach work seeks to address and how might it be tackled? Seeking theory in a primary health prevention programme', BMC Health Services Research, Volume 11
Date: 2011-Dec
The coalition government published a plan designed to ensure that the United Kingdom was a world-class centre for discovery, development, manufacture, and adoption of medical innovations. It included proposals to give private companies access to patient records and other National Health Service data.
Source: Strategy for UK Life Sciences, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Plan | Hansard | Downing Street press release | DBIS/DH press release | Labour Party press release | MRC press release | Russell Group press release | Wellcome Trust press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Dec
A systematic review of research explored how young people aged 11-18 gained access to tobacco. Access patterns were shaped by age, gender, and whether young people were occasional or regular smokers. Access was facilitated by the sociability and visibility of access and the apparent complicity of adults: but risk, cost, and young age (or age appearance) acted as barriers to obtaining cigarettes.
Source: Katy Sutcliffe, Ginny Brunton, Katherine Twamley, Kate Hinds, Alison O?Mara-Eves, and James Thomas, Young People's Access to Tobacco: A mixed-method systematic review, Report 1918, EPPI-Centre (Institute of Education/University of London)
Date: 2011-Dec
A new book examined the history and evolution of the public health agenda. It explored thinking and policy in a range of settings, such as the National Health Service, the workplace, and the community.
Source: Paul Walker and Marie John (eds.), From Public Health to Wellbeing: The new driver for policy and action, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Dec
A report examined the economic benefits to European countries (in both the short and longer term) of investing in mental health promotion, mental disorder prevention, and early intervention.
Source: David McDaid, Making the Long-Term Economic Case for Investing in Mental Health to Contribute to Sustainability, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined the rationale for citizen engagement in the delivery of public health programmes by exploring the perspectives on volunteer roles in two case studies. Citizen engagement in public health was not a superficial response to welfare deficits: it should be framed as an appropriate strategy to address health inequalities at community level, within a citizenship framework.
Source: Jane South, Peter Branney, and Karina Kinsella, 'Citizens bridging the gap? Interpretations of volunteering roles in two public health projects', Voluntary Sector Review, Volume 2 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
The Scottish Government published a Bill designed to set a minimum price for a unit of alcohol as a condition for the approval of licensed premises..
Source: Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | Scottish Government press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Nov
A report examined how social solidarity could help to find solutions in three areas of policy-making on bioethical issues – biobanks, pandemics, and lifestyle diseases. Solidarity was defined as people s willingness to help others even if this incurred costs for them, such as time, emotional investment or money.
Source: Barbara Prainsack and Alena Buyx, Solidarity: Reflections on an emerging concept in bioethics, Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Links: Report | Summary | NCB press release
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the coalition government s White Paper on public health. It said that many of the interventions proposed lacked evidence of effectiveness, and some had even been shown not to work.
Source: Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi, Martin Higgins, Lyndal Bond, Chris Bonell, and Sally Macintyre, 'How evidence based is English public health policy?', British Medical Journal, 17 November 2011
Links: Abstract | SPHSU press release
Date: 2011-Nov
A report examined the latest developments in happiness research as they applied to the valuation of health. It considered the degree to which happiness data could overcome some of the well-known problems with existing preference-based ways of valuing health.
Source: Paul Dolan, Using Happiness to Value Health, Office of Health Economics
Links: OHE press release
Date: 2011-Nov
A briefing note examined which types of alcohol products, retailers, and consumers would be most affected by a range of reforms to alcohol pricing. A minimum price (as in Scotland) could transfer significant sums from alcohol consumers to the alcohol industry, and a restructured system of alcohol taxation might be a preferable way to raise prices.
Source: Andrew Leicester, Alcohol Pricing and Taxation Policies, Briefing Note 124, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Links: Briefing Note
Date: 2011-Nov
A taskforce report said that early action should be a fundamental principle shaping the way in which both government and civil society spent their resources and judged their success. Investing wisely and early in social well-being yielded a 'triple dividend' – thriving lives, costing less, contributing more. The report put forward a set of ideas and initiatives for developing communities in which early intervention was the norm.
Source: Early Action Task Force, The Triple Dividend: Thriving Lives, costing less, contributing more, Community Links
Links: Report | Summary | Community Links press release
Date: 2011-Nov
A report by a committee of MPs said that it broadly welcomed the coalition government's plans to increase local councils responsibility for public health in England: but it called for further clarification of their role. The new public health body – Public Health England – needed to be visibly and operationally independent of ministers.
Source: Public Health, Twelfth Report (Session 2010-12), HC 1048, House of Commons Health Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Additional evidence | CIEH press release | CSP press release | IAS press release | Kings Fund press release | NHS Confederation press release | RCP press release | SFT press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the tensions arising from the omission of the term 'obesity' from the official public health campaign designed to tackle it. The justifications for omitting references to obesity were at times contrary to evidence that informed the campaign.
Source: Joe Piggin and Jessica Lee, '"Don t mention obesity": contradictions and tensions in the UK Change4Life health promotion campaign', Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 16 Number 8
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A new book examined migration and health in the European Union. It considered the rights of migrants to health; problems in their access to health services; and the challenges and opportunities in monitoring migrant health. It discussed the policy response to date and the need for culturally responsive health services.
Source: Bernd Rechel, Philipa Mladovsky, Walter Deville, Barbara Rijks, Roumyana Petrova-Benedict, and Martin McKee (eds.), Migration and Health in the European Union, Open University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Nov
A literature review examined evidence for the impact of volunteering in the areas of health, public health, social care, and broader health and well-being.
Source: Jonathan Paylor, Volunteering and Health: Evidence of impact and implications for policy and practice – A literature review, Institute for Volunteering Research
Links: Literature review
Date: 2011-Oct
An independent commission published its first report on the Scottish Government's progress in delivering the national drugs strategy.
Source: First Year Report & Recommendations to Minister, Scottish Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission
Links: Report | Commission press release
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined public health research systems in European Union countries. Better understanding of research structures, programmes, and results would improve recognition for public health in Europe, and contribute to good practice. EU ministries of health should give greater attention to national public health research strategies and programmes, and the EU and the World Health Organization could provide co-ordination and support.
Source: Claudia Conceicao and Mark McCarthy, ' Public health research systems in the European Union', Health Research Policy and Systems, Volume 9
Date: 2011-Oct
The coalition government published a new strategy for tackling obesity in England. It included a 'national ambition' for reversing the tide of excess weight, and a call for 'everyone to be more honest' with themselves about their eating and drinking habits. One commentator described the strategy as 'empty and pointless'.
Source: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England, Department of Health
Links: Strategy | Hansard | DH press release | BMA press release | IFS press release | NOO press release | SFT press release | Sustain press release | Sustrans press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Oct
A report examined public attitudes to a minimum unit price for alcohol. People were largely sceptical, and expressed doubts regarding its effectiveness: but they said that the policy could be made more acceptable if introduced as part of a wider strategy to curb alcohol consumption.
Source: Martin Hagger, Adam Lonsdale, Rob Baggott, Gillian Penny, and Matthew Bowen, The Cost of Alcohol: The advocacy for a minimum price per unit in the UK, Alcohol Research UK
Links: Report | Summary | ARUK press release
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined policy on public health and social housing. Any new public health strategy focusing on health inequalities needed to recognize the role that social housing already played in supporting concentrations of more vulnerable groups. Social housing staff dealt with a range of everyday social – and especially mental health – problems, highlighting the potential for partnerships with public health.
Source: Robin Johnson, ' Public health and social housing: a natural alliance', Housing Care and Support, Volume 14 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined the effects on self-rated health of social support from personal, professional, and community networks.
Source: Hugo van Woerden, Wouter Poortinga, Karin Bronstering, Anupam Garrib, and Aseel Hegazi, ' The relationship of different sources of social support and civic participation with self-rated health', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 10 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
Campaigners said that the coalition government's 'Responsibility Deal' designed to promote healthier eating was likely to fail because industry commitments were weak, voluntary, and ignored by numerous big food companies.
Source: Christine Callum, Sean Boyle, and Amanda Sandford, The Irresponsibility Deal? Why the government?s Responsibility Deal is better for the food industry than public health, Sustain
Links: Report | Sustain press release
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined the health of people of working age in Europe. It said that there was 'considerable scope' to reduce premature death, illness, and disability in people of working age through policies directed at key risk factors; and it made a series of recommendations.
Source: Wija Oortwijn, Emmy Nelissen, Sandra Adamini Swenneke van den Heuvel, Goedele Geuskens, and Lex Burdorf, Health of People of Working Age, European Commission
Date: 2011-Sep
A project in Scotland found that initiatives focusing on improving the health and well-being of school-aged children and young people (aged 3-18) and their families, particularly at key transition stages, could be implemented within schools without injections of additional funding.
Source: Health and Well-being in Schools Project: Final Report, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Sep
Two linked reports examined the scope for using 'de-legitimization and de-normalization' interventions by the tobacco industry to reduce tobacco use in young people under the age of 18.
Source: Caryl Beynon, Andy Cumming, and Sarah Meir, Challenging the Tobacco Industry: Is There a Role for Industry Denormalisation to Promote Reductions in Youth Smoking in the UK? Phases One and Two Final Report, Centre for Public Health (Liverpool John Moores University) | Ellie McCoy, Lisa Jones, and Caryl Beynon, Challenging the Tobacco Industry: Is There a Role for Industry Denormalisation to Promote Reductions in Youth Smoking in the UK? A Review of the Evidence, Centre for Public Health (Liverpool John Moores University)
Links: Report (1) | Report (2)
Date: 2011-Sep
A new book said that work – or a lack of it – was central to people's health and well-being, and was the underlying determinant of health inequalities.
Source: Clare Bambra, Work, Worklessness, and the Political Economy of Health, Oxford University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined variations of quality of work, and the effects of quality of work on older workers' health, by reference to types of welfare regime in Europe. Active labour policies and reliable social protection measures were found to exert beneficial effects on the health and well-being of older workers.
Source: Nico Dragano, Johannes Siegrist, and Morten Wahrendorf, 'Welfare regimes, labour policies and unhealthy psychosocial working conditions: a comparative study with 9917 older employees from 12 European countries', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 65 Number 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Sep
An action plan set out steps aimed at reducing the harmful use of alcohol in European countries over the period to 2020.
Source: European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol 2012-2020, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Action plan | WHO press release
Date: 2011-Sep
A study examined the latest thinking and innovative practices related to 'governance for health' in European countries – defined as the attempts by governments or other actors to steer communities, countries, or groups of countries in the pursuit of health as integral to well-being through both a 'whole-of-government' and a 'whole-of-society' approach.
Source: Ilona Kickbusch and David Gleicher, Governance for Health in the 21st Century, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Report | WHO press release
Date: 2011-Sep
A report provided a comprehensive overview of the state of men's health in European countries. There were marked differences between the health of men and women: but there were also large disparities in health outcomes between men in different countries, and among male populations within each country.
Source: Alan White, Bruno de Sousa, Richard de Visser, Richard Hogston, Svend Aage Madsen, Peter Makara, Noel Richardson, and Witold Zatonski, The State of Men s Health in Europe, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Aug
A study of 12 European countries found that one additional year of education reduced self-reported poor health by 7.1 per cent for females and by 3.1 per cent for males.
Source: Giorgio Brunello, Margherita Fort, Nicole Schneeweis, and Rudolf Winter-Ebmer, The Causal Effect of Education on Health: What is the role of health behaviors?, Discussion Paper 5944, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
A study found that allied health professionals (such as occupational therapists) were being under-utilized in their role in health promotion. Gaps in their knowledge and skills meant that they were failing to deliver their full potential.
Source: Justin Needle, Roland Petchey, Julie Benson, Angela Scriven, John Lawrenson, and Katerina Hilari, The Allied Health Professions and Health Promotion: A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis, National Institute for Health Research (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
Links: Report | Summary | City University press release
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper examined the causal effect of changes in health on economic development in European countries. A reduction in infant mortality or crude death rates was found to have a positive effect on growth in income per capita, and to increase population growth.
Source: Anthony Strittmatter and Uwe Sunde, Health and Economic Development: Evidence from the introduction of public health, Discussion Paper 5901, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
A think-tank report examined the future landscape for public health, particularly in the light of plans for local government to take on new responsibilities in the area.
Source: Phil McCarvill, In It for the Long Haul: The challenge for public health, Institute for Public Policy Research
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper reviewed a programme of research aimed at providing guidance for the evidence-based provision of personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education. It summarized the major impediments and facilitators of evidence-based programming, and described a model curriculum for the delivery of evidence-based PSHE.
Source: Daniel Hale, John Coleman, and Richard Layard, A Model for the Delivery of Evidence-Based PSHE (Personal Wellbeing) in Secondary Schools, DP1071, Centre for Economic Performance (London School of Economics)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
A new book examined the urban governance of healthy lifestyles. It used case studies from the United Kingdom and United States of America to consider the obesity, sedentarism, and alcohol 'epidemics'.
Source: Clare Herrick, Governing Health and Consumption: Sensible citizens, behaviour and the city, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jul
Researchers examined the evidence for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of brief interventions across the major 'lifestyle' topics in public health. Evidence for the effectiveness of brief interventions delivered at an individual level, generally provided through primary care, was strongest for smoking cessation and reducing harmful alcohol consumption.
Source: Jane Harris, Jennifer Mason, Joy Spalding, Steven Knuckey, Lisa Jones, Clare Perkins, and Mark Bellis, A Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Individual Level Behaviour Change Interventions, North West Public Health Observatory
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jul
A think-tank report called for the government to support good health at work. Work should be adopted by the National Health Service as a legitimate clinical outcome of treatment and management. Supporting people to return to work should be a key objective of all health services.
Source: Jonathan Shapiro, Emma Hill, and Julia Manning, Health, Disease and Unemployment: The Bermuda triangle of society, 2020health
Links: Report | 2020 press release
Date: 2011-Jul
A report by a committee of peers said that 'nudging' on its own was unlikely to be successful in changing the population's behaviour. Instead, a whole range of measures – including some regulatory measures – would be needed to change behaviour in a way that would make a real difference to society's biggest problems. Voluntary agreements with businesses in relation to public health had 'major failings'.
Source: Behaviour Change, 2nd Report (Session 2010-12), HL 179, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | NICE press release | Nuffield Council press release | Sustain press release | Work Foundation press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Notes: 'Nudging' refers to the coalition government's strategy of seeking to alter behaviour through measures short of direct regulation.
Date: 2011-Jul
The coalition government published a preliminary assessment of the Health Act 2006. It said that the Act had made a 'significant contribution' to improving and protecting the health of the nation. There had been a significant drop in hospital admissions for heart attacks as a result of smoke-free legislation. Compliance with the code of practice for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections had contributed to national reductions of over 60 per cent in these infections in 2010-11 compared with 2007-08. The Act had also introduced greater freedom and flexibility in conducting pharmacy and ophthalmic services.
Source: Post-Legislative Assessment of the Health Act 2006, Cm 8115, Department of Health, TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jul
A report said that there was 'strong evidence' for health visiting as a means of improving public health. Health visitors could help parents throughout their child's development, and they made a 'massive contribution' to managing the long-term effects of serious public health problems such as smoking, alcohol, and obesity within families.
Source: The RCN s UK Position on Health Visiting in the Early Years, Royal College of Nursing
Links: Report | RCN press release
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined tobacco control policy across 15 European Union member states. Socio-economic modernization, economic interest groups, and domestic political factors all played a role in policy. Although there was a declining influence on the part of pro-tobacco domestic constituencies, the adoption of comprehensive tobacco control policies was still inhibited by corporatist practices in member states.
Source: Donley Studlar, Kyle Christensen, and Arnita Sitasari, 'Tobacco control in the EU-15: the role of member states and the European Union', Journal of European Public Policy, Volume 18 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
The coalition government published a policy statement setting out its vision for a new public health system, and the progress made towards achieving it. It highlighted the new leadership role for local authorities and their directors of public health. Plans to abolish the Health Protection Agency were postponed for a year, to 2013.
Source: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Update and way forward, Cm 8134, Department of Health, TSO
Links: Statement | Hansard | DH press release | NHS Confederation press release | RCN press release | Guardian report | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Jul
A new book examined the ways in which alcohol, tobacco, and fat had come to be constructed as 'problems' requiring intervention. It exposed the social, cultural, and political roots of the public health 'obsession' with lifestyle.
Source: Kirsten Bell, Darlene McNaughton, and Amy Salmon (eds.), Alcohol, Tobacco and Obesity: Morality, mortality and the new public health, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined links between area-level socio-economic deprivation and behavioural risk factors for health. Public health interventions aimed at reducing health inequalities by targeting behavioural risk factors might focus in particular on reducing smoking and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in more deprived communities.
Source: Rajalakshmi Lakshman, Anne McConville, Simon How, Julian Flowers, Nicholas Wareham, and Paul Cosford, 'Association between area-level socioeconomic deprivation and a cluster of behavioural risk factors: cross-sectional, population-based study', Journal of Public Health, Volume 33 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined the evidence for the physical and non-physical health benefits of urban green space. There was only weak evidence for the link: many studies were limited by poor study design, failure to exclude confounding bias or reverse causality, and weak statistical associations.
Source: Andrew Lee and Ravi Maheswaran, 'The health benefits of urban green spaces: a review of the evidence', Journal of Public Health, Volume 33 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jun
A report examined key research messages on the provision of healthcare interventions for children and young people.
Source: Getting Better? Improving outcomes for children and young people, Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jun
A study found that in the 5 months following a health warning on the 'third generation' contraceptive pill (in 1995), conception rates rose by more than 7 per cent, abortion rates rose by more than 9 per cent, and birth rates increased by 6-7 per cent. By contrast, no or small effects were found on the resulting babies' general health, with the exception of a reduction in the incidence of congenital anomalies. Heterogeneity by mother's age and social class was very pronounced, with most of the effects being experienced by women aged less than 25 and of lower socio-economic status.
Source: Emilia Del Bono, Marco Francesconi, and Nicky Best, Health Information and Health Outcomes: An application of the regression discontinuity design to the 1995 UK contraceptive pill scare case, Working Paper 2011-16, Institute for Social and Economic Research (University of Essex)
Links: Working paper | Abstract
Date: 2011-Jun
A report examined the regulatory and voluntary landscape concerning the marketing and promotion of food and drink to children.
Source: Jane Landon and Yvonne Gritschneder, An Analysis of the Regulatory and Voluntary Landscape Concerning the Marketing and Promotion of Food and Drink to Children, National Heart Forum
Date: 2011-Jun
A qualitative research study sought to develop insights concerning attitudinal and behavioural change about health and work among the key target audiences – family doctors, line managers, and the general public. Only a minority of respondents with particularly poor experiences of working life (such as being bullied, or signed off through work stress) held a less than positive view about the health benefits of work.
Source: Andrew Irving Associates, Health, Work and Well-being: Attitudes of GPs, line managers and the general public, Communications Research Report 1, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jun
An audit report in Scotland said that there was 'limited evidence' to date of widespread sustained improvements resulting from community health partnerships. It called for a fundamental review of partnership arrangements to ensure that they focused on meeting individuals' needs.
Source: Review of Community Health Partnerships, Audit Scotland
Links: Report | Audit Scotland press release | Age Scotland press release | BBC report | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Jun
A new book examined the relationship between health systems, health, and wealth creation. The three were inextricably linked, so that investing cost-effectively in health systems could contribute to the ultimate goal of societal well-being.
Source: Martin McKee, Josep Figueras, and Richard Saltman, Health Systems: Health, Wealth, Society and Well-Being, Open University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-May
An article examined a project in Scotland that evaluated the health impacts of new-build social housing.
Source: Marcia Gibson, Hilary Thomson, Ade Kearns, and Mark Petticrew, 'Understanding the psychosocial impacts of housing type: qualitative evidence from a housing and regeneration intervention', Housing Studies, Volume 26 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-May
A project report said that a 'whole school' approach to food that linked practical food education with high-quality school dinners led to a better family diet and could improve academic performance and behaviour.
Source: Judy Orme et al., Food for Life Partnership Evaluation: Full Report, University of the West of England
Links: Summary | Appendices | UWE press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-May
The coalition government published a 'social marketing' strategy for changing health-related lifestyle behaviours and improving health outcomes. It said that the use of social marketing to change health behaviours had already had 'some considerable success', particularly in areas such as smoking, stroke, and obesity. But there would be far fewer social marketing programmes under the strategy, with priority given to those where there was evidence of efficacy; and funding would be 'substantially less' than previously.
Source: Changing Behaviour, Improving Outcomes: A new social marketing strategy for public health, Department of Health
Links: Strategy | IPA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-May
The coalition government published a strategy for improving road safety. Careless driving would become a fixed-penalty offence.
Source: Strategic Framework for Road Safety, Department for Transport
Links: Strategy | Hansard | DT press release | ACPO press release | Living Streets press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-May
An article examined what features of healthcare interventions, including the type of health gain, were important to members of the public in England in making priority-setting decisions.
Source: Helen Mason, Rachel Baker, and Cam Donaldson, 'Understanding public preferences for prioritizing health care interventions in England: does the type of health gain matter?', Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, Volume 16 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
A knowledge review examined what was effective in improving the safety, health, and well-being of children through improving the physical and mental health of mothers, fathers, and carers.
Source: James Blewett, Janet Noble, Jane Tunstill, and Karen White, Improving Children's Outcomes by Supporting Parental Physical and Mental Health, Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services
Date: 2011-Apr
Researchers examined the network of 'healthy school' schemes in Wales. A practical strategy statement was required to clarify the role of the education service across Wales in relation to reducing inequalities in health.
Source: Heather Rothwell et al., Review of the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes, 2007-2008, Working Paper 138, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined policies for health-promoting transport. It said that transport affected health in a range of both positive and negative ways. It provided access to many facilities beneficial to health, and walking and cycling in particular offered an excellent way to build physical activity into everyday life: but transport also caused stress, disruption of communities, injuries, noise, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Transport's effects also exacerbated inequalities, with the benefits of motorized transport accruing particularly to better-off groups, while the adverse effects fell disproportionately on those who were already disadvantaged.
Source: Jennifer Mindell, Stephen Watkins, and Judith Cohen (eds.), Health on the Move 2: Policies for health promoting transport, Transport and Health Study Group
Links: UCL press release
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined how much it would cost to bring safety on main roads up to a reasonable level, and the savings these upgrades would achieve. It called for an investment of £8 billion out of the road budget (up to 2020) in order to make roads safer. Around 6,000 lives could be saved over 10 years if a fraction of the money being spent on road maintenance were used more effectively.
Source: Joanne Hill and Caroline Starrs, Saving Lives, Saving Money: The costs and benefits of achieving safe roads, RAC Foundation
Links: Report | RACF press release
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined the contribution that community children's nursing services could make to the future outcomes of integrated children's services.
Source: NHS at Home: Community Children s Nursing Services, Department of Health
Links: Report | DH press release
Date: 2011-Mar
The government published a 'responsibility deal' on a range of public health issues in England. The deal was developed in conjunction with members of the voluntary and business sectors, and set out 'collective pledges' on healthy eating, alcohol labelling, and workplace health. A number of health groups involved in the alcohol field pulled out of the deal, saying the pledges would not work and were being overly dictated by industry.
Source: The Public Health Responsibility Deal, Department of Health
Links: Deal | DH press release | Addaction press release | Alcohol Policy UK press release | Methodists press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined evidence on the impact of legislation prohibiting smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places (introduced in England in 2007).
Source: Linda Bauld, The Impact of Smokefree Legislation in England: Evidence review, Department of Health
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
The government published a five-year plan for controlling the harm done by smoking to public health in England. It included targets to reduce smoking rates by the end of 2015: from 21.2 per cent to 18.5 per cent or less among adults; from 15 per cent to 12 per cent or less among young people aged 15; and from 14 per cent to 11 per cent or less among pregnant mothers.
Source: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A tobacco control plan for England, Department of Health
Links: Plan | Hansard | DH press release | BMA press release | IEA press release | Labour Party press release | RCGP press release | RCM press release | RCP press release | Unite press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Mar
The government said that it had decided to reject the recommendation of an independent review, and of a committee of MPs, to lower the drink-drive limit.
Source: The Government's Response to the Reports by Sir Peter North CBE QC and the Transport Select Committee on Drink and Drug Driving, Cm 8050, Department for Transport, TSO
Links: Response | DT press release | Hansard | Living Streets press release | Telegraph report
Notes: MPs report (December 2010)
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined evidence on the impact of health and health behaviours on educational outcomes in European countries.
Source: Marc Suhrcke and Carmen de Paz Nieves, The Impact of Health and Health Behaviours on Educational Outcomes in High-Income Countries: A review of the evidence, World Health Organisation (Regional Office for Europe)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined the challenges to delivering health improvement interventions within the 'Big Society' framework. A step-by-step, supported, and appropriately evaluated approach was essential; and equity of provision across communities and organizations needed to be a primary concern.
Source: Beck Taylor, Jonathan Mathers, Tom Atfield, and Jayne Parry, 'What are the challenges to the Big Society in maintaining lay involvement in health improvement, and how can they be met?', Journal of Public Health, Volume 33 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
The Welsh Assembly Government published an action plan designed to promote its public health objectives, including: giving every child a healthy start; developing health assets in communities; improving health literacy; and making health and social services more equitable.
Source: Fairer Health Outcomes For All: Moving the agenda forward, Welsh Assembly Government
Links: Action plan | WAG press release
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined social inequalities in stopping smoking. More needed to be done to encourage smokers from disadvantaged backgrounds to persevere through the first few weeks of treatment.
Source: Rosemary Hiscock, Ken Judge, and Linda Bauld, 'Social inequalities in quitting smoking: what factors mediate the relationship between socioeconomic position and smoking cessation?', Journal of Public Health, Volume 33 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the contribution that housing associations could make to the health agenda – including reducing health inequalities in deprived areas, and cutting the costs of acute services.
Source: Invest in Housing, Invest in Health, National Housing Federation
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
A study found that tenants living in cold homes that posed the greatest risk to health could save £488 per year on fuel bills if the properties were improved to a basic standard of heating and insulation.
Source: Frances Downy, Which Way Up: Advance headline findings, Friends of the Earth/WWF
Links: Report | FOE press release
Date: 2011-Mar
An article said that smokers from deprived communities required more intensive, flexible, and personalized support from smoking cessation services – which should ideally be located in their community setting. A more innovative, tailored, and less prescriptive approach might help to improve cessation rates among smokers in deprived communities.
Source: Hazel Henderson, Anjum Memon, Kate Lawson, Barbara Jacobs, and Eleni Koutsogeorgou, 'What factors are important in smoking cessation amongst deprived communities? A qualitative study', Health Education Journal, Volume 70 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A report said that the increase in smoking by women and girls in European countries was in large part due to skilful and successful marketing by the tobacco industry. The industry had taken a tailored approach to targeting women and girls in their campaigns: the tobacco control community needed to do the same.
Source: Empower Women: Combating tobacco industry marketing in the European region, World Health Organisation
Links: Report | WHO press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A report highlighted the rising levels of poor health and well-being linked to alcohol misuse in England, and the inadequate public health response. It called for a doubling of investment in alcohol services, which it said would lead to both improved public health and savings of £1.7 billion per year for the National Health Service.
Source: Making Alcohol a Health Priority: Opportunities to reduce alcohol harms and rising costs, Alcohol Concern
Links: Report | Alcohol Concern press release | DH press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Feb
Three articles examined the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on alcohol-related crime/disorder and harm to health.
Source: Andrew Newton, 'The Licensing Act 2003, five years on: taking stock and stumbling into the future', Safer Communities, Volume 10 Number 1 | Stuart Kirby and Laura Hewitt, 'The impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on drinking habits, offences of crime and disorder, and policing in England's newest city', Safer Communities, Volume 10 Number 1 | Rick Brown and Emily Evans, 'Four years after the Licensing Act 2003: a case study of Hartlepool town centre', Safer Communities, Volume 10 Number 1
Links: Abstract (1) | Abstract (2) | Abstract (3)
Date: 2011-Feb
A think-tank report said that health education could play a crucial role in improving children's well-being, and deliver wider social benefits. The effectiveness of the numerous policies and initiatives under the former Labour government (1997-2010) had been undermined by the lack of a coherent and overarching strategy. There was a need for results and positive outcomes to play a far more important role in the strategy.
Source: Tracey Bleakley, Stuart Carroll, and Ross Carroll, Putting the Health Back in Education, Bow Group
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined whether there were differences in public opinion in European Union countries about policy options to fight the problem of childhood obesity. There was widespread support for providing parents with information, education programs in schools, and restrictions on advertising: but there was very little support for imposing taxes on unhealthy food.
Source: Suzanne Suggs and Chris McIntyre, 'European Union public opinion on policy measures to address childhood overweight and obesity', Journal of Public Health Policy, Volume 32 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
The government published a plan for the expansion and rejuvenation of the health visiting service in England. There would be an extra 4,200 health visitors by 2015, and an improvement in the quality of the health visiting service for children and families.
Source: Health Visitor Implementation Plan 2011-15: A call to action, Department of Health
Links: Report | DH press release | NHS Employers press release | Unite press release | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2011-Feb
A report examined the implementation of the final 'toddlerhood' phase of the Family Nurse Partnership programme in the first ten sites in England. There was good potential for the programme to make a real difference to the life-chances of some of the most disadvantaged families.
Source: Jacqueline Barnes et al., The Family-Nurse Partnership Programme in England: Wave 1 implementation in toddlerhood & a comparison between waves 1 and 2a of implementation in pregnancy and infancy, Department of Health
Links: Report | DH press release
Notes: The Family Nurse Partnership programme (in England) provides intensive support to deprived first-time young mothers and their babies to try to prevent future problems linked to social exclusion.
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the implementation of the Family Nurse Partnership programme. The programme was perceived in a positive light and take-up was high, with delivery close to the stated objectives. There were local concerns about cost set against long-term rather than immediate gains.
Source: Jacqueline Barnes, 'From evidence-base to practice: implementation of the Nurse Family Partnership programme in England', Journal of Children's Services, Volume 5 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Notes: The Family Nurse Partnership programme (in England) provides intensive support to deprived first-time young mothers and their babies to try to prevent future problems linked to social exclusion.
Date: 2011-Jan
The government published a discussion paper on the application of behavioural insights to health. It highlighted ways in which health improvements could be made without resorting to legislation or 'costly programmes'.
Source: Applying Behavioural Insight to Health, Cabinet Office
Links: Paper | Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2011-Jan
A briefing paper examined the legislative means by which the Scottish Government was seeking to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.
Source: Philip Ward, A Minimum Price for Alcohol?, Standard Note SN/HA/5021, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2011-Jan
The new government announced (following a research review) that it intended to introduce a ban (in England and Wales) on sales of alcohol at a price that was below the rate of duty plus value added tax (VAT). It described the proposed measure as the 'best starting point' for tackling the availability of cheap alcohol.
Source: Written Ministerial Statement 18 January 2011, column 34WS, House of Commons Hansard, TSO | The Likely Impacts of Increasing Alcohol Price: A summary review of the evidence base, Home Office | Priscillia Hunt, Lila Rabinovich, and Ben Baumberg, Preliminary Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Alcohol Pricing Policy Options in the UK, Home Office | Andrew Booth, Petra Meier, Joanna Shapland, Ruth Wong, and Suzy Paisley, Alcohol Pricing and Criminal Harm: A rapid evidence assessment of the published research literature, Home Office | Jacqui Banerjee, Jackie Squires, and Tanya Parkinson, Public Perceptions of Alcohol Pricing, Home Office
Links: Hansard | Home Office press release | Evidence summary | Report (1) | Report (2) | Report (3) | Addaction press release | RCN press release | RCP press release | BBC report | Morning Star report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined young people's perceptions of eating disorders, the risks and consequences of developing an eating disorder, and the effectiveness of education and prevention programmes.
Source: Julie Dowds, 'What do young people think about eating disorders and prevention programmes? Implications for partnerships between health, education and informal youth agencies', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 9 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
