Maternal adverse childhood experiences and their association with preterm birth: secondary analysis of data from universal health visiting

Being born before full gestation can have short-term and life-long health implications, yet it remains difficult to determine the risk of preterm birth among expectant mothers. Across different health settings, increasing attention is given to the health and behavioural consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as child abuse or neglect, or exposure to harmful household environments (e.g. in which caregivers abuse alcohol), and the potential value of understanding these hidden harms when supporting individuals and families. A large international evidence base describes the association between childhood adversity and early years outcomes for mothers and children. However, the relationship between maternal ACEs and preterm birth has received far less attention.

Authors: Katie Hardcastle, Kat Ford+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning – Summary Report On the impact of COVID-19 on increasing the Health Gap and Vulnerability

This report reviews the international evidence from the International Horizon Scanning and Learning reports on the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 increasing the health gap. It focuses on inequalities and vulnerable groups to better understand and address the unequal distribution of indirect impacts resulting from the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for populations, health systems and governments worldwide which have resulted in lasting economic, social and health impacts. Health inequities have been exacerbated, with certain population groups disproportionately affected by levels of infection, hospitalisation and deaths from COVID-19. Furthermore, some groups have also experienced unequal indirect impacts resulting from the pandemic and the measures undertaken to contain it. Underlying factors contributing to the unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic include but are not limited to, level of deprivation, education, health status and financial resources.

Authors: Mariana Dyakova, Claire Beynon+ 9 more
, Mark Bellis, Anna Stielke, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), James Allen, Andrew Cotter-Roberts, Mischa Van Eimeren, Benjamin Bainham, Angie Kirby, Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

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

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

Authors: Liz Green, Sue Toner+ 7 more
, Laura Evans, Lee Parry-Williams, Tom Johnson, Gemma Christian, Cheryl Williams, Sumina Azam, Mark Bellis

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

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Karen Hughes+ 1 more
, Natasha Judd

Associations between adverse childhood experiences, attitudes towards COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine hesitancy: a cross-sectional study

Childhood adversity has been shown to be linked to poorer mental well-being, with some studies suggesting it may lead to reduced trust in health and other public services. Research conducted with adults in Wales identified that vaccine hesitancy was three times higher among people who had experienced four or more types of childhood trauma than it was among those who hadn’t experienced any.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Karen Hughes+ 4 more
, Kat Ford, Hannah Madden, Freya Glendinning, Sara Wood

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 27 January 2022

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
– The impact of Covid-19 on children

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Claire Beynon

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – December 21

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Bolton: Impacts on health, wellbeing and resilience

There is substantial evidence identifying the detrimental impacts that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have on individuals’ health, wellbeing and broader life opportunities. A number of studies in the UK have identified the prevalence and impacts of ACEs at a national level, yet few studies have been undertaken at a local level. Understanding how local populations are affected by ACEs can enable local authorities and partnerships to tailor their support services, targeting resources to the health needs of the populations they serve. This study was implemented by Public Health Wales and Bangor University on behalf of Bolton Council to understand the impact of ACEs on the health and wellbeing of adults in the Bolton Local Authority area. The study explores:
■ The prevalence of ACEs in Bolton Local Authority;
■ Relationships between ACEs and health and wellbeing;
■ Resilience factors that may offer protection against the harmful impacts of ACEs.

Authors: Kat Ford, Karen Hughes+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 17 December 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
– COVID-19 scientific advice to governments
– The impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority groups

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Claire Beynon

Cost of Health Inequality to the NHS in Wales. Report 1: Cost Associated with Inequality in Hospital Service Utilisation

This report aims to estimate the financial cost associated with inequality in hospital service utilisation to the NHS in Wales to help inform decision-making and resource prioritisation towards prevention and early intervention through an equity lens, contributing to COVID-19 sustainable and inclusive recovery.
The report is accompanied by an interactive dashboard, allowing users to explore in detail, the costs associated with inequality by service category, sex, age and level of deprivation.
Please note, the dashboard is optimised for use on desktop devices.

Authors: Rajendra Kadel, Oliver Darlington+ 5 more
, James Allen, Benjamin Bainham, Rebecca Masters, Mariana Dyakova, Mark Bellis

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

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

Authors: Louise Woodfine, Liz Green+ 9 more
, Laura Evans, Lee Parry-Williams, Christian Heathcote-Elliott, Charlotte Grey, Yoric Irving-Clarke, Matthew Kennedy, Catherine May, Sumina Azam, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 25 November 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
• Winter 2021/22 COVID-19 planning
• The impact of COVID-19 on older people

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Claire Beynon

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

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

Authors: Liz Green, Kathryn Ashton+ 7 more
, Adam Jones, Michael Fletcher, Laura Morgan, Tom Johnson, Tracy Evans, Sumina Azam, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 15 October 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
– COVID-19 vaccine update
– The impact of COVID-19 on people from the LGBTQ+ community

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Claire Beynon

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – Week 78

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

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

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

Authors: Liz Green, Kathryn Ashton+ 7 more
, Michael Fletcher, Adam Jones, Laura Evans, Tracy Evans, Lee Parry-Williams, Sumina Azam, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – Summary Calendar

This Summary Calendar has collated, synthesised and presented a clear and concise summary of the COVID-19 International Horizon Scanning Reports over the past year, since April 2020 through to March 2021. The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream has proved to showcase informative and impactful research whilst collating data from other countries, providing guidance, recommendations and useful insights regarding the evolving nature and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 6 more
, Claire Beynon, Charlotte Bowles, Anna Stielke, James Allen, Abigail Malcolm (née Instone), Lauren Couzens (née Ellis)

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – Week 76

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

Brexit and Poverty in Wales: A Public Health Lens

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

Authors: Sumina Azam, Katie Hardcastle+ 6 more
, Laura Morgan, Rebecca Hill, Michael Fletcher, Tom Johnson, Liz Green, Mark Bellis

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – Week 74

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 10 September 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
– Re-opening of educational settings
– COVID-19 and people with a disability

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Claire Beynon

‘Health in All Policies’—A Key Driver for Health and Well-Being in a Post-COVID-19 Pandemic World

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the profile of public health and highlighted the links between health and other policy areas. This paper describes the rationale for, and principles underpinning, HiAP mechanisms, including HIA, experiences, challenges and opportunities for the future.

Authors: Liz Green, Kathryn Ashton+ 3 more
, Mark Bellis, Timo Clemens, Margaret Douglas

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – Week 72

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – Week 70

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis

International Horizon Scanning and Learning to Inform Wales’ COVID-19 Public Health Response and Recovery – 12 August 2021

The International Horizon Scanning and Learning work stream was initiated as a product of, and to inform upon, the evolving COVID-19 public health response and recovery plans in Wales. It focuses on COVID-19 international evidence, experience, measures and transition/recovery approaches, to understand and explore solutions for addressing the on-going and emerging health, wellbeing, social and economic impacts (potential harms and benefits).
Topics of focus are:
The impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups
Mental health service recovery from COVID-19

These reports were used during the period of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to inform the Public Health Wales response and therefore only available in English.

Authors: Mark Bellis, Mariana Dyakova+ 1 more
, Claire Beynon

Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures – Week 68

Public Health Wales conducted a public engagement telephone survey to ask members of the public in Wales how coronavirus and related control measures are affecting their health and wellbeing. Survey reports aimed to provide data representative of the Welsh population and data are adjusted to represent the Welsh population by age, sex and deprivation.

Authors: Karen Hughes, Natasha Judd+ 1 more
, Mark Bellis