A Year of Evidence 2023/24 - Public Health
6 September
Much of our research at the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre links closely to the theme of public health. With the expertise of our collaborating partners we have undertaken a range of public health evidence reviews in the first year of our Evidence Centre.
As with all our studies, representatives from the relevant public health areas and members of our public partnership group are involved in the development of the research from beginning to end, to ensure that our work is relevant to the people of Wales.
All our research reports are made available to the public online. The reports include a 2-page Executive Summary – (see pages 4 and 5 of the full report pdf for this). Click the following links for information about each study, including helpful lay summaries and infographics.
Our evidence reviews include:
A review of the physical health risks of high-street procedures that puncture the skin (otherwise referred to as ‘special procedures’), including tattooing body piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis. This was undertaken to help inform the upcoming mandatory licensing scheme for special procedures, being introduced in Wales this October.
Collaborating Partner: Cardiff Evidence Synthesis Collaborative
Research question: A rapid review of physical health risks associated with special procedures (tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture, electrolysis).
More and more people in the UK are getting tattoos (including semi-permanent make-up), piercings, acupuncture, and electrolysis. Known as 'special procedures' under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, they can be associated with some health risks. Inflammation and infection can occur as needles and other products are inserted into the skin. In rare cases, the procedures can cause serious and long-term diseases.
The Act sets out provisions for a mandatory licensing scheme for those individuals and businesses providing these procedures in Wales. The licensing scheme, when it is introduced in 2024, will ensure that all licence holders and approved businesses operate to a safe and consistent standard.
We aimed to collect existing published evidence on the main physical health risks associated with special procedures. This review updates previous evidence used by the Welsh Government and serves to inform and endorse the implementation of the new licensing scheme.
Forecasting the potential occurrence of long-term conditions likely to impact the NHS in Wales over the next 10 or so years. This study helped to inform the Chief Scientific Advisor for Health’s ‘NHS in 10+ years report’ which itself will be used to inform a refresh of actions in A Healthier Wales (Wales’ long-term plan for health and social care), as well as shape and inform future thinking on NHS planning.
Collaborating Partner: Cardiff Evidence Synthesis Collaborative
Research question: What is the forecasted prevalence and incidence of long-term conditions in Wales: a rapid evidence map.
It is becoming apparent that the NHS will face many issues in years to come due to the growth of ageing population in relation to the working age population alongside the increase in multimorbidity and persistent health inequalities, particularly for preventable illness. This has implications to how healthcare and health systems are delivered, and how the NHS will need to adapt to meet the increasing demand that this places on healthcare services.
This rapid evidence map reports forecasted prevalence and incidence data across a range of long -term conditions in Wales to support planning about how best to organise and finance care for the increasing population with long-term conditions over the next 10 years. The findings by conditions include: atrial fibrillation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, mental illness, and multi-morbidities. Three risk factors for long term conditions were also included, i.e., poor diet/nutrition, obesity, and smoking.
A review of the effectiveness of interventions to support people with depression and/or anxiety to quit smoking. This is particularly important as people with mental health conditions have a higher rate of smoking and are less likely to access services that might help them to quit. This will help to inform the updated Welsh Government Tobacco Control Delivery Plan.
Collaborating Partner: Public Health Wales
Research question: A rapid review of the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions for people with anxiety and/or depression living within the community.
The Welsh Government aims to reduce smoking prevalence from the current rate of 13% to below 5% of the population by 2030. People with mental health conditions have a higher rate of smoking prevalence and are less likely to access smoking cessation services. Evidence shows that smoking cessation in this population decreases symptoms, improves positive mood and quality of life. This rapid review aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence for the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in people with anxiety and/or depression living in the community. The research question was suggested by Welsh Government Health Improvement.
A review of the economic benefits of keeping the workforce in good physical and emotional health. This study follows on from a previous report around the economic arguments for investing in the health and wellbeing of the workforce in Wales. This has been of particular interest to the Welsh Government in light of their ‘Stronger, fairer, greener Wales’ plan for employability and skills.
Collaborating Partner: Bangor Institute for Health and Medical Research
Research question: Wellness in work - supporting people in work and assisting people to return to the workforce: An economic evidence review.
In Wales, there are currently 1.48 million people in employment and 58,300 people who are unemployed. This equates to an unemployment rate of 3.8% in Wales.
This Rapid Review follows on from the previous Wellness in Work report (Edwards et al., 2019) and aims to explore the economic benefits of keeping the workforce in good physical and emotional health. This information is then used to discuss the type of interventions which may be the most cost-effective in improving wellbeing at work. This is important as the physical and emotional wellness of the workforce has an impact on work productivity and ability to thrive in work.