Public Health Information Service News
Issue 1
2011
Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
CONTENTS
Updates and Publications ______3
Health Challenge Wales Update ______13
Welsh Assembly Government Health Website Latest Information______15
Welsh Assembly Government Current Consultations ______16
Public Health News Around Wales ______18
Web Reports and Publications______27
Calls for abstracts, awards and courses ______37
Consumer and patients information ______40
Conference feedback______42
Information and Library Services ______43
Contact details on this page only to save paper and reduce production costs.
Sarah Davies, Senior Library Assistant Health Promotion Library Freepost CF2429 Cardiff CF14 5GZ
Telephone: 029 2068 1239 Fax: 029 2068 1381 Minicom: 029 2068 1357 Email: [email protected]
Public Health Information News is available in Welsh, large print, on disk and Braille. If you want a copy in any of these formats or languages, or you have any other specific requirements please contact Sarah Davies. It is also available electronically on the web at www.wales.gov.uk/healthpromotionlibrary
This issue of the newsletter is published on 31 March 2011
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Welcome to the first issue of Public Health News, published in time for spring and hopefully some spring sunshine.
We are continuing with our usual Remember, no item is too small to columns in the news, and based on include, and if you have any the positive responses we have queries about copy simply contact had to our ‘web events’ pages we the editor Sue Thomas at: will only make this information [email protected] available there from now on. Please send all contributions about And finally, if you know of someone events to us to our email address who always reads YOUR copy of at [email protected] public health news, just let them know that they can get their very If you haven’t had time to look at own, either by signing up to the the page then it is available at electronic version, or by asking us www.wales.gov.uk/healthpromotion to send them a print copy, or in library following the links to large print or bilingually. conferences and events. See the recent issues on the As usual we also want to thank newsletter pages of our web site at: everyone for their contributions to www.wales.gov.uk/healthpromotion the news – it is really good to have library these as we want to let others know what is happening in public health in Wales, and the news is one way of doing this.
Updates and Publications
Inequalities
The Glasgow Effect
‘It’s not ‘just deprivation’: Why do equally deprived UK cities experience different health outcomes?’ Walsh D et al Public Health, 2010, 124: 487-495
In this issue of Public Health a number of papers are published on this topic, including a study by a group of UK public health academics, practitioners and health intelligence specialists on what they term ‘the Glasgow Effect’.
The study compares the causes of death from people from Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool, which concludes that:
“Something other than solely socio-economic disadvantage is at work in creating the poorer health for Glasgow people.”
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The September issue also has an editorial ‘We need to talk about Kelvingrove’ as well as two open commentaries which deal with this topic.
You can access these articles online at the journal’s website http://www.publichealthjrnl.com
If you are not able to do this and want copies please let us know as we have a subscription to the journal. ______
Radio 4 Programme
The Glasgow Effect was the feature of a programme by Ian MacWhirter recently, and we have obtained a copy of the text of this from the programme editors for the library.
This is currently on circulation, but will be available for loan to all members as soon as it is returned to us.
Having listened to this half hour programme this is a very interesting and easily accessible overview of this topic, which is recommended to everyone interested in this topic. ______
Julian Tudor Hart Lecture: December 2010
“Fighting disparities or creating health: have we got the balance right?”
The fifth lecture in this series was presented to a packed audience in the Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University last December by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns.
Dr Burns, who was Director of Public Health in Glasgow for ten years, with a research interest in health inequalities, presented his experiences of working in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and in particular his understanding of the severity of the complex, serious illness in the east end of Glasgow.
He went on to describe the chain of biological events which link social adversity to poor health outcomes. Evidence from a wide range of studies shows the importance of our early experiences in setting our response to stress.
Dr Burns further emphasised the importance of consistent nurturing in the early years so that children develop social and emotional intelligence.
This development in the early years is crucial so that as adults they will be able to experience life events as structured and manageable.
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In concluding he stated that ‘the action which is required if we seriously wish to improve health, is to deal with the adverse social conditions which provoke those biological consequences’.
The lecture series was set up by PHA Cymru in honour of Dr Julian Tudor Hart to recognise his massive contribution to the cause of prevention and public health in general practice, and his role as patron to PHA Cymru.
The aim of the series is to engage the academic community in Wales in the public health and wellbeing agenda to stimulate more scholarship, teaching and research in this area.
The presentations from the lecture series can be found on the Cardiff Society of Institute Health and Ethics (CISHE) web site: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/cishe/
The Library also has copies of the slides from Dr Burns’ presentation. If you want to be sent this please let us know by email to [email protected]
The next lecture is currently being planned for December 2011 – as soon as we have details about this we will feature it on our web events pages – so watch this space.
Early booking recommended. ______
Health and Human Rights: An International Journal “Social conditions of health: convergences and disjunctures”, 2010, 12 (2)
This issue of the journal examines the relationship between human rights- based approaches, social medicine and social epidemiology.
In the editorial the editors comment that they felt it was worthwhile to examine the convergences, and continuing divergences among these different approaches to promoting health as a matter of social justice.
They further note that:
“Despite the obvious synergies among these fields, conversations about the links between health and social justice seem to be occurring in parallel, with ensuing missed opportunities for enhancing progress.”
Articles in this issue include the following:
‘The right to sutures: social epidemiology, human rights and social justice’ Venkatapuram S, Bell R and Marmot, M
‘The social determinants of health, health equity and human rights’ Chapman, A R
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‘Social conditions, health equity and human rights’ Braveman, P
These are followed by a series of articles looking at health and human rights in practice.
This journal is available as an open access one so all articles can be downloaded from the web at http://www.hhrjournal.org/index.php/hhr ______
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2011, 40 (1) Suppl 1
A number of articles in this supplement consider the social determinants of health.
In the articles from Professor Braveman, Professor of Family and Community Medicine Department, Center on Social Disparities in Health, San Francisco key considerations for researchers who study social determinants of health and policymakers whose decisions are based on research findings are examined.
In the second of these she also notes that ‘while much remains to be learned about which strategies are most effective, current knowledge is sufficient to indicate promising directions’.
Short commentaries on social determinants are also provided on:
“Improving health: social determinants and personal choice” Marmot M and Bell R
“Moving on upstream: the role of health departments in addressing socio- ecologic determinants of disease” Scutchfield F D and Howard A F
“Strengthening the public health research agenda for social determinants of health” Boyce C A and Olster D H
We are really grateful to Professor Braveman and her department for sending us copies of her articles as our copy of the journal is still on its way to us from the publishers.
Limited electronic access to this supplement is available on the publishers’ web site at http://www.ajpm-online.net/supplements ______
Economics and Health
The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Health in Wales: A review and case study Cardiff School of Social Sciences Working Paper Series: Working Paper 134
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Elliott, E et al
In the executive summary to this review the authors state that the overarching aim was to “identify the potential impact of the economic downturn and the measures that may be taken to respond to it”.
Specific objectives were to:
• Identify and explain how the economic downturn may impact directly and indirectly on the health of people and places. • Identify the mechanisms and characteristics that indicate who is likely to be vulnerable or resilient to the effects of the economic downturn. • Characterise the effects of previous government and public agency measures taken to respond to financial crises on health. • Identify interventions and policy approaches that may best protect health during and after the economic downturn.
The report contains:
• A literature review on what is known about the links between economic downturns and health. • Case studies in 2 local authority areas using semi-structured interviews with workers in relevant statutory and voluntary sector services. • Policy dialogue discussing the implications of the findings with national and local policy makers and service leads in Wales.
Recommendations drawn from the research and informed by the policy dialogue are made for preventing ill health, responding to ill health, pooling resources, anticipating health impact and future research and evaluation.
The working paper can be accessed in full online at www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/research/publications ______
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
A series of recent reports from the Foundation also examines economic issues and in particular the impact of globalisation for poverty and communities in the UK.
Hanley T ‘Globalisation, UK poverty and communities’ March 2011
This paper summarises findings from research projects, programme papers and events run as part of the Foundation’s programme during 2010-2011, as well as other relevant research.
Key points show that globalisation has a significant influence on the everyday lives of people, but that ‘its costs and benefits are very unevenly distributed, as people’s experiences are shaped by their own and local areas’ history, resources and capacities.’
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Hossain N et al ‘How people in poverty experienced recent global economic crises.’ March 2011
This study examines experiences of the global food, fuel and financial crises among people living in poverty in three areas of the UK in 2010. The areas were: the rural community of Kildress in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, the port town of Newhaven in East Sussex, and neighbourhoods within the town of Oldham in Lancashire.
It identifies how the changing global economy is altering the experience of poverty, and analyses what this means for welfare reform.
Hirsch D Perren K Phung V H ‘Global influences on the cost of a minimum standard of living in the UK.’ March 2011
This paper:
• explores how trends in price rises will affect the ability of UK households to afford an acceptable standard of living in the future. • reviews how global factors have affected the prices of goods and services • outlines what policies are needed to ensure that households can afford a minimum acceptable standard of living.
All these research papers can be accessed and downloaded from the web at www.jrf.org.uk ______
Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK – Second Peter Townsend Memorial Conference Bristol January 2011
In opening this conference Professor David Gordon stated that
“One of the many seminal contributions Peter Townsend made to science was a paradigm shift in poverty measurement methodology in the 1968-1969 Poverty in the UK Survey.”
This memorial conference examined the current state of the art of poverty measurement around the world. Leading researchers from all parts of the globe presented the latest advances in poverty measurement methodology used and its application for policy purposes in their own countries and regions.
All presentations from the conference can be viewed on line at http://unicefglobalstudy.blogspot.com/2011/02/second-peter-townsend- memorial.html
If you are interested in finding out more about Peter Townsend and his work check out the ‘Peter Townsend Reader’ published by Policy Press in 2010. A
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copy is available on loan to all library members. Please contact us if you want to borrow this. ______
World Bank
The Two Poverty Enlightenments: historical insights from digitized books spanning three centuries Ravallion M Policy Research Working Paper 5549 World Bank, 2011
This paper examines the historical literature in Google’s library of digitized books about ‘Poverty Enlightenments’.
It suggests that there have been two such periods since 1700, one near the end of the 18th century and the second near the end of the 20th.
The literature further suggests that only the second came with a widespread belief that poverty could and should be eliminated. After the first poverty enlightenment references to poverty declined in use until 1960, after which there was a striking resurgence of interest.
This came with rising attention to economics and more frequent references to both general and specific policies relevant to poverty.
Find this online at http://health-equity.blogspot.com/2011/02/eq-two-poverty- enlightenments.html ______
The Economist 22nd January 2011
A series of articles on inequality were recently published in The Economist, and summaries of these can be found online.
The leading article ‘The rich and the rest’ asks what to do, and not do, about inequality, and examines the arguments put forward in ‘ The Spirit Level.’
A further article entitled ‘Inequality: unbottled GINI’ suggests two reasons why the rise in inequality is a problem. The one is that rich economies seem to provide disproportionate and growing returns to the already wealthy, and the other is that inequality may literally be making people miserable by increasing stress and the hormones it releases.
Access these online at http://www.economist.com/printedition/index.cfm?d=20110122
Thanks to Steve Clarke Swansea University for bringing these articles to our attention. (Ed)
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Human Development and Capability Association HDCA
‘Innovation, Development and Human Capabilities’ 2011 conference 6th – 8th September The Hague
Bringing about human development for all is a challenge. It is not sufficient to investigate how human capabilities are expanded or diminished by our current policies, institutional arrangements, incentive structures, social practices, infrastructures and technologies. We also need to be creative and innovative in order to being about change.
This conference offers an opportunity to discuss and reflect on these ideas.
As part of the conference on the 5th September there will be the 1st Annual Amartya Sen Lecture.
This new lecture series celebrates Amartya Sen’s important contributions to the fields of human development and capability. It will focus on themes from Sen’s wide ranging contributions to these areas, from his work on capability and freedom to his related works in area such as democracy, development, gender, liberty, welfare, poverty, famines and social choice.
The inaugural lecture will be delivered by Professor Tony Atkinson professor of economics at the University of Oxford. Professor Atkinson has made many contributions in the areas of economics of income distribution, microeconomics, public economics and poverty and security. The Atkinson index is an inequality measure named after him.
To find out more about this conference go to the web at http://www.ethicsandtechnology.eu/subsite/hdca_conference_2011 ______
Well Being
There are a number of recent publications on well being to read if you are interested in this topic.
McMahon A, T Williams P and Tapsell L ‘Reviewing the meanings of wellness and well-being and their implications for food choice.’ Perspectives in Public Health, 2010, 130 (6)
The authors of this paper note that both the terms wellness and well-being are found in many contexts encompassing mental, physical and emotional health, as well as in more esoteric aspects of life satisfaction such as happiness.
However, there is limited understanding about their use in the broader health promotion context, and how consumers might interpret these terms in the context of food and nutrition messages.
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In this paper they review how the terms wellness and wellbeing are being used in a number of disciplines and describe implications for food choice.
They propose that by identifying the way these terms are used by key players in the food industry there would be better communication across sectors, which could assist in collaboratively developing public health food and nutrition messages with a consistent meaning.
Access this article online via the Library’s journals A-Z at http://bit.ly/ggpPEv
Clift S ‘Arts and Health’ Perspectives in Public Health, 2011 130 (1)
A one page article looking at the value of the arts for health promotion and healthcare. It examines the idea that “exposure to the arts, and more importantly, participation in creative activities, is life-enhancing and can promote wellbeing.”
If you are interested in current activities in this field, go to the recently established ‘Culture and Wellbeing’ website set up by the London Arts and Health Forum at http://www.cultureandwellbeing.org.uk/
This site provides excellent case studies of some of the very best initiatives in the UK, showing how the main arts forms, music, theatre, drama, visual arts, dance, literature and creative writing can promote health.
You can access this article via the Library’s a-z journal list at http://bit.ly/gTC31r ______
Human Givens Institute
Responding to the Government’s measurement of the nation’s wellbeing from April 2011, the Institute has sent out information about their ‘Emotional Needs Audit’.
This is a survey of over 13,000 people which was designed to find out how well innate emotional needs are being met in our society. The aim is to discover more about how modern living is affecting the mental health and wellbeing of the whole country. You can be part of this easy-to-answer, confidential questionnaire by signing up on their web site at http://www.enaproject.org
The Human Givens approach is a set of organising ideas that provides a holistic, scientific framework for understanding the way that individuals and society work.
At its core is the idea that human beings come into this world with a set of needs, and that if these needs are met appropriately, it is not possible to be mentally ill.
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The Institute produce a range of publications, and we are currently investigating whether it would be useful for us to have these in the Library.
To find out more about the work of the Institute visit their web site at http://www.humangivens.com/home.php ______
Leicester University
Leicester Exchanges has been recently set up to encourage open debate about key issues that shape our society.
Topics that are being currently debated include:
• Happy Nation – should we measure national well-being? • Is Britain broken? • Climate Change – deny, prevent or prepare? • Should we punish or reform offenders?
You can sign up for a fortnightly email newsletter and each debate will be summarised in a Green Paper which may be useful for decision makers, academics and opinion leaders.
Find out more about this on their web site at http://leicesterexchanges.com/mission ______
Health Education and Healthy Living
Critical Public Health, 2010, 20 (4)
This special issue of the journal focuses on the imperatives surrounding ‘healthy living’ and their personal, social and policy implications.
It includes a number of papers from the conference ‘Healthy living and citizenship’ held at Monash University’s Prato Campus in Italy in June 2009.
This event explored the meanings of health and wellbeing in light of the changing relationship between citizens and the state.
Along with the editorial which explores the theories around healthy living, the articles in this issue emphasise that health, healthy living and healthcare are intrinsically political questions that call for new forms of analysis appropriate to the times.
Topics explored include:
• The making of the HIV citizen drawing on data from interviews undertaken in the UK and South Africa.
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• The paradoxes of addiction drawing on an interview with an Australian celebrity footballer. • The recent focus on ‘emotional health’ examining the medicalisation of emotional distress. • Australian healthy living guidelines and their disconnection from the way most people live their lives.
Access this special issue via the library’s A-Z at http://bit.ly/gT6QaH
or contact us if you would like a copy of any of the articles as we have a print subscription to this title.
American Journal of Health Education, 2011, 42 (1)
The commentary in this issue by McDermott looks at what life will be like in 2035, and the implications for the way in which health education is practised.
He states that:
“In the next 25 years we will have to leave our comfort zones and take a calculated risk with some radical and more creative approaches to health behaviour change”. He quotes Einstein who said “Insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results”.
It is clear from this that there is a need for health education to look at partnerships focusing on the needs of vulnerable populations, as well as working with the consumers that health education wants to reach.
He also suggests that a contemporary consideration of the Hochbaum definition would be useful:
“Health is what helps me to be what I want to be, to do what I want to do and to live the way I want to live.”
(Hochbaum GM An alternate approach to health education. Health Values, 1979, 3(4): 197-201)
If you would like a copy of this commentary please contact us as this journal is not easily accessed online.
Health Challenge Wales update
It has been a really hectic time with the Health Challenge Wales leaflets since the last issue in December as you will see from the continued high demand for the leaflets – we had a record month in January of 103 requests for leaflets, and 27,762 sent out.
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The number of leaflets now available from the order line 0845 606 4050 continues to increase as we have now taken on all the nutrition leaflets produced by the Food Standards Agency.
It is important for customers who may not have previously used these leaflets to know that most of the FSA leaflets are produced in either English or Welsh, and not bilingually as for the Health Challenge and Change 4 Life materials.
These are listed separately on the publications list which is sent to all customers. Please let us know when you are ordering whether you need the Welsh or English versions. ______
Customer Survey
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this survey which we have recently sent out. The response has been excellent and it is good to report that the majority of the respondents are happy with the service they receive and that the leaflets are popular with customers.
We have more work to do on analysing the responses which we will do in the next few weeks so that we can provide a full report in the summer issue of the newsletter on the results.
And in the meantime if you have received a questionnaire and haven’t yet had time to return it to us, don’t worry there is still time to do so.
It is also useful to receive more informal feedback and we were particularly interested in the comments from a Dietitian in Bridgend about the ‘Help… my child is fussy with food’ leaflet.
This was one that their service wanted electronically so that it could be part of their new intranet and internet sites for their department, so that GPs could download this as they needed it.
We would be really interested to know if anyone else is considering this approach to providing health information and any comments on whether this has been successful or not. ______
Statistics and top ten leaflets
Over 70,000 leaflets have been sent out so far this year. The top 10 most popular leaflets in February were:
• Change 4 Life stickers • Change 4 life snack swapper • Handbook for happy healthy kids • Reduce the risk of cot death • Stopping smoking made easier
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• A guide to childhood immunisation for babies up to 13 months of age • After your child is immunised • Breastfeeding DVD • Five a day booklet • Small steps to a healthy life
Welsh Assembly Government Health Website Latest Information
Choose Well Campaign
Recently launched is this new campaign to guide people to the most appropriate healthcare services.
Choose Well aims to help people make more informed and effective decisions when accessing NHS services. This is in line with the underpinning principles of Unscheduled Care – ensuring that the sickest patients are treated first, in the right place at the right time by a person with the right skills.
Choose Well uses a colour-coded thermometer with the following six services as its marketing logo:
1. Self-care 2. NHS Direct 3. Pharmacist – NHS Care at the Chemist 4. GP – Out of Hours Services or Dental Services 5. Minor Injuries Unit 6. 999, Accidents and Emergencies
You will be able to find local information on the Local Health Board websites across Wales. National information is available at www.wales.gov.uk/choosewell or www.cymru.gov.uk/dewisdoeth
A Choose Well leaflet is also available on the site and is available in other formats including Braille and large print on request.
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Welsh Assembly Government Current Consultations
A Strategic Vision for Maternity Services in Wales: draft document
The Welsh Assembly Government’s vision for maternity services in Wales is a service that promotes pregnancy and childbirth as an event of social and emotional significance.
For every mother wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, pregnancy and childbirth will be a safe and healthy experience and one that she can describe as satisfying.
The draft strategy sets out the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision for high quality maternity services for the future.
Its aim is to inform and underpin the planning and delivery of high quality maternity services by Local Health Boards and set out how we will move to a more outcome focused approach to monitoring the quality of care.
The consultation started on the 24th January 2011 and ends on the 18th April 2011.
Responses by email to [email protected] or by post to:
Adults and Children’s Health Medical Directorate Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park CF10 3NQ ______
Libraries Inspire: Draft strategic development framework for Welsh libraries 2012-2015
This is a draft strategic document relating to developing libraries in Wales.
Public, educational and workplace libraries are at the heart of their communities. The very reason for their existence is to inspire and assist people to make a positive difference to their lives. Libraries contribute to the social, educational, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of Wales. We need to ensure that all types of libraries, their parent bodies and the Welsh Assembly Government work together to develop and sustain library services.
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The consultation started on the 1st February 2011 and ends on the 31st March 2011.
Responses by email to [email protected] or by post to:
Libraries Development Team CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales Welsh Assembly Government Rhodfa Padarn Aberystwyth SY23 3UR ______
Draft Tobacco Control Action Plan for Wales
This plan for Wales builds on the Welsh Assembly Government’s programme of measures to discourage young people from starting to smoke, support smokers who want to give up and promote smoke-free environments, but will particularly aim to protect children and reduce inequalities in health.
The Action Plan identifies four strategic action areas:
• Leadership in tobacco control • Reducing the uptake of tobacco use, especially amongst children and young people • Reducing smoking prevalence levels • Reducing exposure to second-hand smoke
The consultation started on the 23rd February 2011 and ends on the 18th May 2011.
Responses by email to [email protected] or by post to:
Tobacco Control Action Plan Consultation Health Risk Behaviours Branch Health Improvement Division Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ
All these consultations can be found on the Welsh Assembly Government home page on the web site at http://www.wales.gov.uk and follow the link to consultations.
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Public Health News around Wales
Food Standards Agency
Food Safety Week 6 – 12 June 2001
The overall theme of the week will be around the ‘fact or fiction’ of common food hygiene practices in the kitchen that seem to have become accepted over the years, such as why you really shouldn’t wash poultry, and also more general food safety myths such as food poisoning being caused by the last meal you ate.
The Food Standards Agency will be working with the media, local authorities and other partners to bring these messages to the public.
If you would like to be kept informed about campaign developments, register your details at [email protected] and include ‘Register’ in the subject line.
**************************************************************************************** Public Health Wales
Public Health Wales Networks have launched the Public Health Good Practice Scheme with a series of workshops across Wales.
The scheme, which has been in development for two years, recognises and supports good practice in initiatives in nutrition, physical activity, mental health promotion and sexual health.
A database has been developed which provides a systematic approach to sharing information about initiatives which will prevent duplication, enhance learning and enable decisions about what initiatives to adopt or develop.
A ‘quality mark’ will be awarded to projects deemed to have achieved good practice by the ‘Good Practice Advisory Panel’ chaired by Public Health Wales Chair, Professor Sir Mansel Aylward.
At the launch events Professor Sir Mansel Aylward said “I am pleased to be involved in this excellent scheme. I believe Public Health Wales has an important part to play in promoting and sharing good practice, and this scheme is a good opportunity to do so.”
Feedback already received on the scheme has been very encouraging, and the launch events were a great way for the network co-ordinators to meet colleagues working in the various areas of public health.
For more information about this visit the networks on the following sites:
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Mental Health Promotion at http://www.publicmentalhealth.org/ Physical Activity and Nutrition at http://www.physicalactivityandnutritionwales.org.uk/ Sexual Health at http://www.shnwales.org.uk/
**************************************************************************************** Public Health Wales Observatory web pages launched
New web pages for the Public Health Wales Observatory, bringing together information about the Observatory and its products, have been launched.
On the Observatory web site you can find useful public health information about the people of Wales. This includes data and evidence on a range of public health topics including alcohol abuse, physical activity, smoking, inequalities and inequities.
Access the site at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/922/
**************************************************************************************** Directors of Public Health Annual Reports
Interim annual reports are available for all the Local Health Boards. All Directors of Public Health report annually on the health and wellbeing needs of their population, and on action being taken to improve and protect the public health.
All the reports provide detailed population profiles and key issues for the health of their population.
The full reports will be published for each Local Health Board in June 2011.
You can access the reports for each LHB area on the web at:
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/863/page/41077
Aneurin Bevan Health Board http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/page/41395
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/page/51078
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/864/page/40983
Cwm Taf Health Board http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/865/news/18047
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Hywel Dda Health Board http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/50521
Powys Teaching Health Board http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/867/
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The ‘Exploring Sustainable Wellbeing Toolkit’ was launched recently at the All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network Conference.
The Toolkit is the culmination of two years of work, comprising of eight pilot projects and the input of seventeen partner organisations, coordinated by the Wellbeing Wales Network Coordinator Dafydd Thomas
The Toolkit provides organisations the tools for them to consider what wellbeing means in the context of their own work. The Sustainable Wellbeing model has been included by the Welsh Assembly Government in its interim guidance for the new rounds of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategies, and local Children and Young People’s Plans.
The toolkits modular structure and user friendly materials give participants the opportunity to assess their organisation’s contribution to wellbeing, and then to plan any changes that are identified as part of this whole process.
If you want to find out more about the Exploring Sustainable Wellbeing Toolkit or to sign up for a monthly e-bulletin on wellbeing, contact [email protected] or visit us on the web at: www.wellbeingwales.org
**************************************************************************************** Welsh NHS Confederation
Rockies to the Rhondda Revisited
In 2005 the Welsh NHS Confederation, in conjunction with Pfizer, organised a visit to see the health services offered by Kaiser Permanente in the USA. The findings of the trip were summarized in a publication “Rockies to the Rhondda”, which aimed to draw out the main learning points for NHS Wales in
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its aim to become a health system focused on better prevention and management of long-term conditions.
In an updated report, the Welsh NHS Confederation revisits the issue of chronic conditions management to examine how far Wales has developed its approach since the 2005 visit to the USA.
The report looks at examples of current service initiatives, including the Chronic Conditions Demonstrator programme, and leading examples of best practice from across Wales. The report also poses a challenge to clinical leaders to be the driving force in transforming services for the better in Wales.
It says: “It must be in the interests of both service users and staff for a mature debate about the shape of our future services takes place in a way that is both balanced and informed. Clinicians are able to see both the individual need and that of the wider population and are uniquely positioned, therefore, to be initiating and framing these discussions rather than, as sometimes has been the case, in contributing from the sidelines.”
The report is available in full here: http://bit.ly/dWOiHK
************************************************************************************************* Mental health services in Wales: a guide for independent members
One of the desired benefits of the restructuring of NHS Wales was to give greater focus and attention to mental health services and their improvement across the whole range of services. This document has been produced by the Welsh NHS Confederation as a high-level guide for independent members to support them in discharging their governance responsibilities as board members in the area of mental health.
The guide is split into two sections focusing firstly on the basic building blocks of a good mental health service and secondly, the challenges facing NHS Wales as it seeks to implement and improve upon these building blocks. Throughout the guide is a continuous emphasis on the value of promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental illness, treating patients in the least stigmatising environment, and ensuring excellent links with services and agencies outside of health, such as employment, housing and leisure.
The guide is available in full here: http://www.welshconfed.org/companyData/1898/resources/MH%20Wales.pdf
**************************************************************************************** Wales Health Impact Assessment Unit
Six case study leaflets were added to the Unit’s website recently summarising health impact assessments undertaken in different geographical and policy areas.
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The case studies are:
• Project BRAND: Partnership Working Denbigshire County Council • Community Led HIA: Margam Opencast Mine • Physical Activity: Colwyn Bay Leisure Centre • Regeneration: Llangeinor, Nant Garw • Transport: A483/A489 Newtown • Regional Waste Planning: Strategic HIA
Find these on the web http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/home.cfm?OrgID=522
**************************************************************************************** MEIC Helpline
From January 2011 this helpline for under 25s in Wales has extended opening hours to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Young people are able to get information, advice and independent advocacy through this helpline which is supported annually by £750,000 of Welsh Assembly Government funding.
Over 4,000 children and young people from across Wales have contacted the helpline since Meic was launched in May 2010.
Calls have been received on topics including family issues, bullying, friendships, financial issues and exam stress.
The extended opening hours means that children and young people can get round the clock support via phone, email, text or instant messaging.
Contact the Helpline at 080880 23456 or text 84001 or visit the web site at http://www.meiccymru.org/
**************************************************************************************** Children in Wales
Keeping Warm This Winter: Hearing the voices of children and young people in tackling fuel poverty in Wales
During 2010, Children in Wales developed and delivered a number of interactive informative and participatory workshops with a broad range of children and young people in six primary and secondary schools in Wales on the theme of fuel poverty and warm homes.
This work, commissioned by Consumer Focus Wales, captures their views and experiences, in addition to some key solutions which individuals, householders and organisations can do to help keep people warm and to help tackle fuel poverty.
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A report, DVD and a Top Tips tool developed by young people have been published and were launched at an event at the Senedd in February.
These resources can be accessed on the Children in Wales’s website at: http://www.childreninwales.org.uk/areasofwork/childpoverty/fuelpoverty/index. html
**************************************************************************************** Age Concern Cardiff Receives Top Charity Award
Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan have been awarded £25,000 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to improving health and social care among over-60s in the region.
The charity beat more than 400 organisations from around the UK to become one of ten winners of this year’s GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards, run in partnership with the health think-tank The King’s Fund.
Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan received the award on the strength of the positive impact of their work on the lives of local older people, many of whom are isolated, physically frail and living in poverty.
Innovative projects include a Placement Advisor’s Scheme, whereby advisors work with older people who might need to move from hospital into a care home; a counselling service and a befriending scheme to reduce isolation.
The awards highlight the crucial role of the voluntary sector in meeting health needs among deprived and vulnerable communities, often bridging gaps other services are unable to fill.
As well as receiving £25,000, Age Concern will attend a five-day development programme hosted by the King’s Fund which provides training, development and networking opportunities.
One overall winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 12th May who will receive an additional £10,000.
For more information about the IMPACT Awards contact Sophie Rayment at the King’s Fund press office on 020 7307 2603.
To find out more about Age Concern, contact Jeff Hawkins Chief Executive on 029 20 527195 or visit http://www.age-concern-cardiff.org.uk/
**************************************************************************************** Alcohol Concern Youth Policy Project
The Youth Policy Project aims to prevent and reduce harm amongst young people by raising awareness of the key issues affecting young people’s relationship with alcohol, influencing government policy nationally and improving models of service delivery locally.
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The project also aims to better understand how young people up to 18-years old in England and Wales use alcohol, what shapes their decision making and their access to information and support.
A report ‘Right time, right place: Alcohol-harm reduction strategies with children and young people’ was launched in October 2010. This report brings together expert practice guidance, experience from local level delivery and new research, including previously unpublished health data, to identify important next steps in harm reduction strategy with children and young people.
For further information about this work email [email protected]
**************************************************************************************** Strengthening Families Programme 10-14
This programme is available to any family living in Flintshire, Wrexham, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf with young people aged between 10-14 years of age.
The programme consists of seven weekly sessions, each lasting about 2 and a half hours, usually run in the evening. It is free to attend and refreshments are provided.
If you want to find out more about this programme go to www.mystrongfamily.co.uk or contact:
Caerphilly team tel: 07824 596991 or email: [email protected]
Carmarthenshire team tel: 01554 744377 or email: [email protected]
Flintshire team tel: 01244 551247 or email: [email protected]
Merthyr Tydfil team tel: 01685 727395 or email: [email protected]
Swansea team tel: 01792 472002 or email: [email protected]
Wrexham team tel: 01978 729786 or email: [email protected]
Cardiff team tel: 029 20468589 or email: [email protected]
Rhondda Cynon Taf team tel: 01443 827000 or email: [email protected]
As part of this programme a research project ‘Project SFP Cymru’ is being carried out by Cardiff University. The research will mainly involve your family taking part in four interviews over the next two years.
24 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
If you want to find out more about this research project visit www.projectsfpcymru.co.uk email [email protected] or phone 029 2087 9609.
**************************************************************************************** National framework promoting information literacy in Wales
Information literacy empowers a proactive learning culture which is fundamental to educational attainment and progression. Information literacy skills also develop social inclusion, as access to information gives people choice and the power to make informed decisions.
People who are excluded from today’s ‘information society’ are increasingly disempowered in all aspects of life from the economic to the social.
Recognising the importance of information literacy for Wales, a ‘Welsh Information Literacy Project’ was launched on the United Nations’ International Literacy Day in September 2010.
The project is based in Cardiff University, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government’s CyMAL - Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales Division based in Aberystwyth. The project is supported by a steering group which brings together librarians from all sectors, as well as partners from the Welsh Assembly Government and elsewhere.
In developing the framework for Wales, information literacy will be mapped across the curriculum, as well as being tied into the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales which will provide consistency across sectors and a roadmap for developing information literacy at an appropriate level for the individual learner.
This unified and progressive framework will support information literacy in schools, further and higher education, the workplace and the wider community, as well as raising awareness of the importance of information literacy in 21st Century Wales.
Case studies of real world examples of practice across all sectors and a wealth of other information about information literacy can be found on the project website at http://library.wales.org/en/information-literacy/
To follow the project on Twitter contact Twitter@Welsh_info_lit
If you have any examples of work being done on health literacy then please contact Sue Thomas at [email protected] who is the health representative on the steering group.
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Wales Ethnicity Research Collaboration New Email Discussion Group
If you are interested in getting involved in older people and ageing research then this new email discussion group is for you.
You may also work with older people from BME backgrounds, or be working to tackle discrimination and inequality based on ethnicity, age, religion, sexuality, age, gender or class.
For further information and to join the list go to https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi- bin/webadmin?A0=werc-older-people-research
For all other queries email [email protected]
**************************************************************************************** Public Health in Wales: History
North Wales Hospital
This hospital which closed in 1995 was a psychiatric hospital near Denbigh. Over its 150-year history it became a self-sufficient community with its own farm, sports clubs and social events.
Now education consultant Polly Snape is planning to use its history to work with young people in local schools.
Ms Snape said “The hospital is a very important part of the local community. Just about everybody in Denbigh has something to say about it”.
The project aims to develop research and literacy skills among local primary school pupils who will be speaking to people with connections to the hospital to find out more about it.
Following the six-week project there will be an exhibition in Denbigh Town Hall and a book based on the work will be produced.
If you are interested in this and want to get involved contact Ms Snape via email [email protected]
**************************************************************************************** Public Health in Wales 1800-2000 a brief history Michael, P Welsh Assembly Government 2008
This pamphlet which was commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell as part of the Faculty of Public Health conference held in Cardiff in 2008, is being reviewed for an updated edition to be published later in 2011.
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As part of this work we are interested to contact colleagues in Wales, or further afield who are also doing work on the history of public health in Wales, and who might be able to contribute to this review.
If you have any queries about this contact Sue Thomas Librarian at [email protected]
If you have not seen a copy of the original pamphlet published in 2008, the Library has copies available on loan, and you can also access this electronically on the Chief Medical Officer’s website at http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/ocmo/publications/?skip=1&lang=en
Web Reports and Publications
World Health Organization Reports
European Health Policy Forum for High-Level Government Officials
A series of documents were recently made available for the first meeting of this forum in Andorra 9-11 March 2011.
Developing the new European policy for Health – Health 2020
This concept paper on the new European health policy ‘Health2020’ has been prepared as a discussion document, with proposals on a number of key issues on the scope, form and content of ‘Health2020’ including an annotated outline.
It also offers proposals for country involvement and partnerships for ‘Health 2020’.
Six questions are being addressed in the Health 2020 development process:
1. Which types of policy and intervention would make the biggest difference to the health and well-being of the people of the Region? 2. What opportunities and types of innovations hold the greatest promise? 3. How can we prepare for the next 10 years? 4. How can we accelerate action to reduce inequalities? 5. What is important for countries and how can the WHO Regional Office for Europe support decision-makers in their efforts to achieve better health and well-being for their people? 6. How can the Regional Office and Member States join forces and work with international partners in the European Region within a unifying and coherent policy framework? ______
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Interim report on the implementation of the Tallinn Charter
There are six chapters in this report containing an overview of the Charter, with a particular focus on the commitments of both Member States and WHO in chapter two.
The rest of the report focuses in greater depth on three key dimensions of the Tallinn Charter:
• Assessing health system performance as a way of improving governance and accountability • Ensuring solidarity and health gain in times of financial crisis • Strengthening health systems impact through leadership of intersectoral action to improve health.
The final chapter describes future directions and highlights the synergies between the Tallinn Charter and Health 2020. ______
Strengthening Public Health Capacities and Services in Europe: A Framework for Action
This is a working paper in the development of this framework, which outlines some of the major challenges to health policies and systems in the WHO European Region, including consideration of public health services and infrastructures.
In view of the differences in the way European health systems and public health services are organized, operated and governed, the paper makes a clear statement on public health and health systems, including definitions, boundaries and concepts.
The paper proposes a set of ten horizontal essential public health operations, and sets out the core public health services within each of them. These will become the unifying and guiding principles for any European health authorities monitoring, evaluating or setting policies, strategies and actions for reforms and improvement in public health. ______
Assessing System Performance for Health Governance
The Tallinn Charter commits each Member State to strive to enhance the performance of its health system to achieve the goal of ‘improved health on an equitable basis’. The analysis of performance for informed decision-making on policy is a central theme of the Charter, linked closely to the message of moving ‘from values to action’.
This information note presents initiatives which address the whole of the health system as scope of analysis, and discusses how such approaches might support effective governance for better health outcomes.
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You can access information about the meeting and the documents listed above at http://bit.ly/i040un ______
Global Status report on alcohol and health 2011
This global status report on alcohol and health presents a comprehensive perspective on the global, regional and country consumption of alcohol, patters of drinking, health consequences and policy responses in Member States.
It is part of the continuing effort by WHO to support Member States in collecting information to assist them in their efforts to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, and its health and social consequences.
Access the report online at http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/en/in dex.html
______
Putting our own house in order: examples of health-system action on socially determined health inequalities
This publication will give policy advisers and those who work in health systems a better understanding of the keys to taking action on socially determined health inequalities.
It illustrates the wide range of actual and potential actions that the health system can take to “put its own house in order”, ensuring equity of access to health services and improving the investment in and approach to working with other sectors, so that the health system is instrumental in creating the conditions for health for all groups in the population.
The Library as a WHO Documentation Centre has been able to request two print copies of this book which will be sent to us shortly from the WHO Venice office.
There are additional web-based resources on this topic available as part of the WHO and European Commission project on equity in health at http://194.255.1.165/Project2006WHO03/
If anyone wants to borrow a copy of this please let us know. ______
WHO Task Force on Research Priorities for Equity in Health
Priorities for research on equity and health: implications for global and national priority setting and the role of WHO to take the health equity research agenda forward: final report November 2010
29 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
This recent paper aims to stimulate further thinking, debate and refinement of strategic approaches focusing WHO support and collaborations to advance global research on equity and health.
An agenda for research in the following areas is recommended:
• Global factors and processes that affect health equity • Structures and processes that differentially affect people’s chances to be healthy within a given society • Health system factors that affect health equity • Policy interventions to reduce health inequity
This is available online at http://bit.ly/hX0t68 ______
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Suhrcke M and Nieves C de Paz The impact of health and health behaviours on educational outcomes in high-income countries: a review of the evidence
The relationship between health and education is doubtless a close one. In particular, the public health literature has widely documented the correlation between these two dimensions of human capital in both developing and industrialized countries.
More often than not, this association is interpreted or even shown to represent, especially in industrialized countries, a causal effect running from education to health: a better education leads to better health.
This publication explores, specifically in high-income countries, the extent to which a causal link may also run the other way, from health to education. That is, does better health lead to a better education?
The study aims to systematically review the current knowledge of the effect that different health conditions and unhealthy behaviours can have on educational outcomes in the context of rich countries. Research is examined on the following questions:
• Does poor health during childhood or adolescence have a significant impact on educational achievement or performance? • Does the engagement of children and adolescents in unhealthy behaviours determine their educational attainment and academic performance?
The authors state in the introduction that ‘although these questions have not been a major research focus, the evidence that does exist offers a lot to suggest a causal contribution of health to various educational outcomes.’
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The Library will be getting a print copy of this publication, but in the meantime this can also be accessed online at http://bit.ly/gRR0rX ______
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Socioeconomic determinants: policy briefings on equity in health Just released are these six briefings on policy issues developed for the WHO and European Commission joint project on equity in health which aims at improving health intelligence, building the capacity and know-how of policy makers and practitioners on tackling socially determined health inequalities as part of health system performance.
All six are only available online at http://bit.ly/eLbdV8
They are:
• How health systems can address inequities in priority public health conditions: the example of tuberculosis • How health systems can address health inequities linked to migration and ethnicity • Poverty, social exclusion and health systems in the WHO European Region • How health systems can accelerate progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on child and maternal health by promoting gender equity • How health systems can address health inequities through improved use of Structural Funds • Rural poverty and health systems in the WHO European Region
The Library will print off a set of these briefings which will be available on loan to all library members. ______
World Bank
Impact evaluation in practice: a new guide
This is a non-technical overview of how to design and use impact evaluation to build more effective programmes to alleviate poverty and improve people’s lives.
It offers both experts and non-experts alike a review of why impact evaluations are important and how they are designed and implemented. The aim of the guide is to further enable policymakers and practitioners to use impact evaluations to help make policy decisions based on evidence of what works.
Training materials including videos and power point presentations accompany the guide which can be found online at http://bit.ly/e4iiX1
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United Nations Population Fund
The State of World Population 2010: from conflict and crisis to renewal: generations of change
This report explores how conflict and protracted humanitarian emergencies affect women and girls, and men and boys, and show how many women and young people have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and have begin rebuilding their lives and laying the foundation for peace and renewal of their societies.
This report is available online at http://bit.ly/hwiYkD ______
United Nations
1992 – The Road to Rio +20 – 2012 For a development-led green economy
The green economy, within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, is one of the two themes of the 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro.
This publication aims to contribute to the debate through a collection of essays that provide different perspectives on how to increase the benefits and reduce the risks in the transition to a development-led green economy.
Find the book online at http://bit.ly/fQrdxx
You can find out more about the conference and sign up to alerts on the UN site at http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/ ______
International Diabetes Federation IDF
A call to Action on Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the four priority non-communicable diseases identified by the World Health Organization, along with cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
Diabetes is a chronic, incurable, costly and increasingly but largely preventable non-communicable disease which is responsible for millions of deaths annually, debilitating complications and incalculable human misery.
This Call to Action has four main messages:
• Diabetes is a major global threat to human security and prosperity • The global failure to invest in diabetes has led to the current crisis • The news is bad but we have the solution
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• Diabetes affects everyone and requires a collective response
Find this online at http://bit.ly/flmYAG
There is also a Diabetes Road map providing facts and figures about diabetes globally. Available at http://bit.ly/fyteXn
This work is part of the lead up to the United Nations Summit on Non- Communicable Diseases in September 2011. Find out more about this summit on the web at http://www.globalhealthpolicy.net/?p=303 ______
Research tools
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools NCCMT Canada January 2011
Critical Appraisal of Intervention Studies
This module was designed to help in the planning and delivery of public health programmes and services.
It demonstrates to participants how to assess the quality of an intervention study and to develop skill in applying the criteria for critical appraisal of an intervention study so that you can decide whether the intervention can be applied to your own public health situation.
This learning module builds on the ‘Introduction to evidence informed decision making’ also available from the Centre.
Check these out on the web at http://bit.ly/gBS9e8 ______
The National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy Canada
Method for Synthesising Knowledge about Public Policies
This document is intended for health promoters who are interested in how public policy can be a lever for action that affects population health and its determinants.
It specifically seeks to meet the needs of public health practitioners in their role as expert advisors to decision makers during the promotion, adoption and implementation of public policies.
It proposes a knowledge synthesis method that is applicable to public policies and takes into account not only data linked to their effectiveness, but also data on issues related to their implementation, so that policies can be identified that are most likely to succeed in the specific context in which their implementation is being considered.
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Find this tool online at http://bit.ly/dRO8Y3 ______
Evidence-Based-Health Discussion Forum
If you are interested in this area you might want to join this forum to discuss issues around the teaching, practice and implementation of Evidence Based Health Care.
You can join this list by sending an email to evidence-based-health-subscribe- [email protected]
You may also want to sign up to receive the regular newsletter of the International Society for Evidence based health care which is free of charge. http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=1744-1595 ______
Global Health
University of Toronto International Health Program (UTIHP)
Global Health Education Program
The website of this program launched recently providing students with an online educational resource and networking tool for global health.
As well as introductory pages on Global health basics, the site includes international experiences where students can share honest reflections about their work, academic and career resources and news and interviews on emerging issues.
To find out more about this initiative visit the web at www.gheducation.ca ______
Global Health and Prevention Calendar Published by Supercourse member network
This was also recently made available recently so that you can check what is happening on global health and prevention throughout 2011.
Visit this on the web at http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec40851/index.htm
Supercourse is a 64,000 member network from 174 countries with 3,600 global health and prevention lectures available free on the Internet and DVD. Find them on the web at http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/ ______
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Global Health Council and the American Cancer Society
Two recent reports look at the global impact of cancer.
The Burden of Cancer in Developing Countries: a global health council report on the cancer advocacy and learning institute June 2010
Cancer is a growing cause of death worldwide. The cancer burden in low and middle income countries is increasingly disproportionate. Globally in 2009, there were an estimated 12.9 million cases of cancer, a number expected to double by 2020, with 60 percent of new cases occurring in low and middle income countries.
This report is part of the work of the Global Health Council to raise awareness about the burden of cancer in developing countries and to develop policy, advocacy and research agendas to guide the global health community’s work on this topic of increasing concern.
This short report is available online at http://bit.ly/g52KBP
The Global Economic Cost of Cancer
This report provides information about the economic impact of cancer which shows that premature deaths and disability from cancer cost the global economy nearly 1 trillion dollars annually.
Find this online at http://bit.ly/ggFGOX ______
International Labour Organization and United Nations Development Programme
Successful Social Protection Floor Experiences
This book presents 18 case studies on social protection floor policies from 15 countries of the global South.
Access to health services, education, food, water, housing, sanitation and information as well as enjoyment of a basic level of income security are human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Social protection is an important factor in enabling people to exercise these rights. The social protection floor approach combines all these social services and income transfer programmes in a coherent and consistent way, preventing people from falling into poverty and empowering those who are poor to escape the poverty trap and find decent jobs.
Without social protection, people are subjected to increased risks of sinking below the poverty line or remaining caught in poverty.
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It is worth reminding ourselves of the fact that abut 80 per cent of the global population lives in social insecurity, unable to enjoy a set of social guarantees that enable them to deal with life’s risks.
According to recent World Bank estimates, approximately 1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day.
Find out more about this on the web at http://bit.ly/gxPxbf ______
United Nations Development Programme
Hidalgo C A Graphical Statistical Methods for the Representation of the Human Development Index and its Components Human Development Reports Research Paper 2010 number 39
In this paper five graphical statistical methods to compare countries level of development relative to other countries and across time are presented. The report contains information on more than 100 countries for more than 35 years.
Access this online at http://bit.ly/b13htt ______
Public Health, 2011, 125
A series of articles in this issue of public health journal consider some of the issues in public health which are facing China as the country radically reforms its healthcare system.
While some of the issues are unique to China, many other problems and lessons are relevant to other countries and in particular to developing countries.
In the guest editorial it is interesting to see the problems of inequities in access to health services, as well as the inequalities which exist between urban and rural communities and the progress that is being made to address this.
If you want to receive copies of these articles please contact the library or access online at http://bit.ly/gIJaRK ______
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Call for Abstracts, Awards and Courses
13th Triennial World Congress on Public Health April 21-29 2012 Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Towards global health equity: opportunities and threats
Abstracts are called for this congress with a deadline of Friday October 21 2011. These should demonstrate the role that public health could play in addressing emerging issues and current problems that contribute to global health inequity.
They should also showcase innovations, tools, transferable knowledge and technology. A wide range of general topics will be covered at the Congress.
Find out more on the web at http://wfpha.confex.com/wfpha/2012/cfp.cgi or email [email protected] Program Manager for the World Federation of Public Health Associations.
**************************************************************************************** Assets for Health and Wellbeing across the life course International Conference 26 and 27 September 2011 London
Following the successful first symposium in 2010 which focused on young people and youth health, the aim of this conference is to increase the dialogue between public health, health policy, health practitioners, commissioners, social care, the voluntary sector and the research community on key issues relating to health assets across the life course.
Asset based approaches are concerned with identifying the protective factors that create health and well-being. They offer the potential to enhance both the quality and longevity of life through focusing on the resources that promote self-esteem and coping abilities of individuals and communities.
Drawing on concepts that include salutogenesis, resilience and social capital, asset approaches create the potential for unlocking some of the existing barriers to effective action on health inequities, so far characterised by more risk-based or deficit approaches.
Papers and poster presentations are called for by the 8th April 2011.
Find out more on the web at http://bit.ly/dMKoF8
****************************************************************************************
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Wales Tobacco or Health Network
Alternate Forms of Tobacco Use 9th June 2011
This symposium being held at the Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction is looking for papers and poster presentations which address any relevant tobacco control subject relating to the theme.
Abstracts need to be completed using an online form and are to be submitted to [email protected] by the 15th April 2011.
For further information visit the web at http://www.ashwales.co.uk/index.php
**************************************************************************************** Ash Wales
Tobacco and Alcohol: Learning from Each Other: International Conference 12-13 October 2011, Cardiff
Papers are requested on the themes of the conference including:
• Prevention programmes • Youth programmes • Providers of smoking cessation programmes, particularly those targeting hard to reach groups • Providers of alcohol treatment programmes, especially those providing innovative methods of engaging clients in treatment
For the full list and to access the abstract submission form go to the web at http://www.ashwales.co.uk/index.php. Abstracts to be received by the 1st May 2011 and to be sent to [email protected]
Presenters who have their abstract selected for the conference will be able to register for the event at a discounted rate of £125.
**************************************************************************************** Pan American Journal of Public Health
The journal is looking for papers, brief communications and reviews for its next special issue on Antimicrobial Resistance.
The theme for the World Health Day 2011 is antimicrobial resistance, given the significant worldwide increase in this phenomenon in recent years, with the consequences of higher morbidity and mortality and a higher cost of treating infectious diseases.
The deadline for submission of papers is 10 April 2011.
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Visit the web for details at http://bit.ly/hYN5n6
For more information about World Health Day visit their web site at http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2011/en/index.html
**************************************************************************************** Institute of Welsh Affairs
Inspire Wales Awards 2011 in association with the Western Mail
These awards honour and acknowledge the achievements of Welsh businesses. Categories cover all aspects of business activity and entries are encouraged from businesses from all sectors across Wales.
The closing dates for the sectors are from the 8th to the 15th April 2011. The awards ceremony will take place on the 25th November 2011 at Cardiff’s Coal Exchange.
If you have any queries about the Awards contact Emma Brennan Events Manager at [email protected] or visit www.iwa.org.uk
**************************************************************************************** ProCor Louise Lown Heart Hero Award 2011
Applications for this award are now being called for. The Award was created to recognise individuals and programmes for their innovative, preventive approaches to promoting cardiovascular health in low-resource settings.
The award value is US$2000 and the deadline for application is 30 April 2011.
Find the application form on the web at http://bit.ly/e4spDM and more about ProCor at www.procor.org
**************************************************************************************** Global Health Programme – Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Executive Course on Global Health Diplomacy 6-10 June 2011, Geneva
Diplomacy is undergoing profound changes in the 21st century, and global health is one of the areas where this is most apparent. The negotiation processes that shape and manage the global policy environment for health are increasingly conducted not only between public health experts representing health ministries of nation states, but include many other major players at the national level and in the global arena.
This course focuses on health diplomacy as it relates to health issues that transcend national boundaries and are global in nature. Topics include:
39 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
• The framework convention on tobacco control • International Health Regulations • Creation of new finance mechanisms such as the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria • The response to SARS and Avian Flu
The course director is Professor Dr Ilona Kickbusch
Find out more about this at http://bit.ly/gpGAIZ
**************************************************************************************** Royal Society for Public Health
Diploma in Occupational Medicine 26th September – 7th October 2011 London
This ten-day course is for GPs seeking foundation training in occupational medicine with a view to obtaining the Faculty of Occupational Medicine’s Diploma in Occupational Medicine qualification.
The course covers all aspects of the Faculty’s Diploma syllabus.
For more information contact the Conference and Events Office on 020 3177 1600 or email [email protected]
Consumer and Patient Information
Public Health Wales Screening Services
Thanks to our colleagues from screening services for sending us recently materials in support of ‘European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week’ January which took place in January 2011.
Information packs are available from the Screening Promotion Office on
• Bowel Screening Wales • Breast Test Wales • Cervical Screening Wales
If you have any queries about these or would like a talk or presentation contact the office on 029 20787829 or fax 029 20787800 or contact the Office c/o Breast Test Wales, 18 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ.
For further information on screening services visit the web at http://www.screeningservices.org.uk/
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Diabetes UK
Information in British Sign Language for people with diabetes in the deaf community is now available from the society.
A series of videos based on the ‘Understanding Diabetes’ leaflet has been produced.
British Sign language has also been added to the ‘Your body animation’. These resources will also be shortly added to their website
For further information visit www.diabetes.org.uk/BSL
**************************************************************************************** Useful websites for multilingual leaflets and information
Thanks to our colleague Heidi Fanning Head of Health Promotion Knowledge and Resources NHS Lambeth for circulating the link to this recently updated page on their web site. http://www.lambethpct.nhs.uk/useful_links/multilingual_links
We are often asked for leaflets in other languages by customers using the Health Challenge Wales leaflet order line, so having this information to hand is really useful to us.
If you know about any other sources of health information in other languages please let us know.
**************************************************************************************** Patient Information Annual Conference 7th April 2011 Birmingham
Meeting the Challenges in Health Information
This sixth annual conference looks at the changes that are taking place in consumer health information and the challenges and opportunities these bring for information producers and providers.
Conference sessions will help you to build the case for information, by exploring the evidence behind it, the economics of health information and the impact it has on both service users and services.
PIF is an independent organisation for consumer health information professionals.
To find out more about the organisation and to register for the conference go to www.pifonline.org.uk/2011-conference
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41 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
Conference Feedback
Contestations and Continuations: Health and Social Welfare in the Big Society Postgraduate Research Conference, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, January 2011
This conference created an opportunity for post graduate researchers to reflect on the emerging era in social, welfare and health policy. Students attending at Social Policy Association conference in 2010 recognised that as PhD researchers they would be among the first group of social investigators encountering the Big Society at the coalface.
The papers at this one-day conference highlighted both the perennial issues of public policy, including issues of citizenship, motherhood and governance, whilst also drawing attention to how seemingly stable concepts such as time and work are re-appropriated in contested re-workings.
Key note speakers at the conference were Professor Janet Newman Open University and Professor Gareth Williams Cardiff University.
Presentations and podcasts of the speeches can be viewed online at http://tiny.cc/9yv28
For any further information contact one of the conference organisers Lee Gregory – visit his web site at www.leegregory.org.uk/
If you are involved in organising a similar event let us know so that we can feature this in a future issue of the news. ______
1000 Lives Plus Improving Healthcare Seminar Series 3
‘Back to Bevan: are Bevan’s founding principles for the NHS still relevant today?’ January 2011
This seminar organised by 1000 Lives Plus in partnership with the Bevan Commission, examined the big issues facing the NHS:
• Is universal free healthcare sustainable in the long-term? • Is the NHS still relevant in the 21st century? • What does the future hold for NHS services?
Presentations at this seminar covered:
• Bevan’s founding principles and the Bevan Commission – Professor Ceri Phillips and Dr Chris Riley • Scotland – Bevan’s principles and the strategic direction – Professor Graham Watt
42 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
• Healthcare in England – Would it be recognisable to the architect of the NHS? – Professor David Hunter • Health and Healthcare: How are we doing in Wales? Professor Marcus Longley
It is useful to be reminded of one of Bevan’s principles in his words
“Illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay, nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune the cost of which should be shared by the community.”
All presentations can be accessed via the web at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=781&pid=50439 ______
Second Global Forum on Human Resources for Health Bangkok
Participants at this forum adopted the ‘Bangkok Outcome Statement’ which reiterated the principles of the Kampala Declaration and the Code as instruments for alignment and accountability at global, regional, national and local levels, and called upon all stakeholders to accelerate implementation in a comprehensive manner.
The task is to ensure that every person, whoever they are and wherever they live, has access to a health worker.
The full statement from the forum is available at http://www.who.int/workforcealliance/forum/2011/bangkok_outcome_statemen t.pdf
You can also watch a new 3-minute animated film by the Global Health Workforce Alliance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCSmIYmPOi4
Information and Library Services
Customer Corner: What do you think?
Customer Comment: ‘This is such how we can publish this more a good product that I wonder why frequently. The only real way to do you don’t do it monthly, or weekly.’ this would be on our web site as we have now done for public health Our response: Thanks – it is really events. So we’ll explore this further helpful to have such a positive and would really like to know what response to the newsletter. We’ve other customers think. been thinking for some time about
43 Customer Comment: ‘I didn’t and would like a display then realise you did displays at events please contact us to discuss this. and conferences - you should let people know about that this is Customer Comment: ‘A huge thank possible.’ you for providing me with all the promotion leaflets and booklets as Our response: We do make every this was a great help in my effort to let everyone know that we coursework.’ are can provide displays of relevant material at events, but we will do Our response: Thanks for letting us more to advertise this in future. know – we really appreciate all the Where we are not able to attend we feedback we have from our can send library flyers or Health customers and it is good to know Challenge Wales leaflets or other when information is particularly relevant information for delegate useful to you. packs. If you are holding an event
**************************************************************************************** Journal Subscriptions 2011
Just to let everyone know that the find the full list on our web site at journals for 2011 have all been www.wales.gov.uk/healthpromotion renewed as we secured funding to library following the link to journals. do so. If you do want a full list in print then As we said in the last newsletter we email us at have not made any changes to the [email protected] and we titles we are taking, but if you can’t will send you a copy. remember what we have you can
*************************************************************************************** Libraries in the News
Libraries and information have and a leaflet recently ‘What Makes continued their high profile in a Good Library Service.’ While this particular with the increasing media is aimed at local councils in coverage of proposed cuts to public England, the basic principles are library services. relevant to all library services.
The Chartered Institute of Library Find this on the web at and Information Professionals – www.cilip.org.uk/goodlibraries CILIP issued a press statement
**************************************************************************************** Save Our Libraries Day 5 February 2011
This day of action aimed to bring media articles about these in greater attention to the cuts and national newspapers. closures facing many public It is good to report the support for libraries. You may have seen libraries in Wales, including this Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
statement from the Manic Street Central Library in 2009. Preachers at the opening of Cardiff
“Libraries were my band’s lifeline” If you want to take part in sharing says Nicky Wire of the band who your stories about the value of further commented “Libraries have public libraries sign up to the always reassuringly been there ‘Voices for the Library’ campaign. when I’ve needed them.” Mandy Powell Development Office See the full article by Nicky Wire in for Cilip Cymru Wales is the Welsh the Guardian on 8th February 2011 member on this group. Contact at Mandy at http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/c [email protected] or ulture-cuts-blog/2011/feb/08/save- telephone 07837 032 536 our-libraries-day-campaign- protests?INTCMP=SRCH
**************************************************************************************** Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
In February 2011 Cilip issued a Three policy areas have been new vision statement for the identified for 2011: profession: • Advocacy around values ‘A fair and prosperous society • Information literacy underpinned by literacy, access to • Information management information and the transfer of knowledge.’
**************************************************************************************** World Book Night 5th March 2011
Thousands of people took part in have ordered the relevant titles for this event on the 5th March 2011 – the library. If you are interested in we’ve love to know if any of our borrowing any of these then please customers were involved? contact us.
It is interesting to see that many of As soon as these are available we the books that were being given will also make them part of our away had health themes, so we weekly display for all visitors.
**************************************************************************************** Outcome measurement
It is also useful to report a survey One of the headings that these undertaken by Toynbee Hall which cover is health and wellbeing, identified and described nearly 100 including mental health, young tools available for measuring people and self-esteem, outcomes and impact. employability, self development
45 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011 and aspirations, families and service as part of our Customer children. Service Excellence standards.
This is certainly something we will Access these tools on the web at be exploring to see if we can use http://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/ them to capture the impact of our
**************************************************************************************** Customer Service Standards
We review our standards annually we want to see if we can make this to make sure these are still meeting even easier. your needs, and make any changes needed. If you have any suggestions about our standards and how we can We are in the process of doing this, make improvements then please looking in particular at the process email these to us at of becoming a library member as [email protected] **************************************************************************************** New Library Flyer
We are also updating our marketing flyer which we send to all We also want to use the brilliant new members and use at photos we have so that there are conferences and events. more pictures as a better way of explaining what we do. We want to make this a simpler leaflet, but at the same time make We will be piloting this in the next sure that everyone has the few months, and all comments, information they need about our suggestions and views on this will services. This is quite a challenge! be really helpful.
**************************************************************************************** Information Overload… librarians have ways of helping you cope!
An article by Richard Smith, the “should have included the use of former editor of the BMJ, in the librarians as another strategy for Christmas issue of the BMJ on dealing with information overload”. “strategies for coping with information overload: you need a If you feel you are overloaded, machine to help you” resulted in a remember we offer training courses huge number of responses on the in accessing quality public health Health Information for All 2015 information. See all the information email discussion list. about these courses on our website at Richard comments in response to www.wales.gov.uk/healthpromotion the very spirited and global library discussion of this article that he
Library Statistics
46 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
Our performance statistics for December-February were:
• 1596 enquires answered • 79,600 Health Challenge Wales leaflets provided in response to 240 orders • 148 photocopy requests completed • 72 new members joined the library • 820 books were loaned or renewed.
All were achieved within our target times. (2 working days for enquiries, 5 working days for photocopies and Health Challenge Wales leaflet orders).
Future issues Your Contribution Needed
As we said in the last issue of the newsletter, we really want to publish your stories in the summer issue. We have lots from the Health Challenge Wales survey we have been doing recently, but we are sure there is a lot more out there.
To encourage everyone to contribute we will be contacting people who have used our enquiry services over the last few months to find out more about what you did with the information we provided, or the books you borrowed from us. There is a surprise goodie bag still on offer for the most innovative story received.
Let us know by sending in your story to [email protected] or to our Freepost address by Wednesday 1st June 2011.
The copy date for all other items for the summer issue is also Wednesday 1st June 2011.
47 Public Health Information Service News Issue 1 2011
Library Services
Don’t forget you can contact the Library for:
• Book Loans - free postal loans available with Freepost returns • Enquiries - for information on all issues in public health • Advice and support - for your literature searches • Training - both group and individual coaching • Publications - New Books Bulletin to keep you up-to-date with new materials • Health Challenge Wales Leaflet Orderline – order health improvement and health protection leaflets
Contact us by:
Enquiry line: 029 2068 1239 Leaflet orderline: 0845 606 4050 Minicom: 029 2068 1357 Fax: 029 2067 1381 Email: [email protected] Web: www.wales.gov.uk/healthpromotionlibrary www.wales.gov.uk/healthchallenge
Opening Times:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 7:00pm
Remember: You can receive services in English, Welsh, bilingual, Braille or large print. Please let us know which you would prefer.
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