Physical Activity

Making Every Contact Count

The new edition of ‘Making Every Contact Count’ bulletin is now available to view and download.

MECC-Bulletin-May-2021 Download

This edition features current awareness for the following topics (with relevant articles related to the Covid 19 pandemic):

Smoking Cessation

Healthy Weight

Healthy Eating

Alcohol

Physical activity

The majority of articles have direct links to the publications, however please get in touch if you are struggling to access any of the articles within the bulletin.

Please remember to contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk with any topics you would like to see in future bulletins.

Current Awareness Updates

We can’t prevent childhood obesity by education alone: lessons from the evidence base.
University of Bristol; 2021.

(This study examined the evidence included in the most recent Cochrane Review on childhood obesity prevention. The results show that most of the current evidence targets individual lifestyle behaviours (diet and physical activity) through education. This could influence the range of evidence that policymakers see, with consequences for the focus of policies they develop. A broader evidence base is needed on which to base future decisions about childhood obesity prevention. Policy briefing.)

Loneliness: a reading list.
House of Commons Library; 2021.

(Links to various publications considering the causes and impact of loneliness, as well as possible interventions to deal with the issue in society. A companion to the Library’s Tackling loneliness (CBP 8514) briefing, which sets out in greater detail the incidence and impact of loneliness and strategies adopted to tackle it across the UK. Research briefing.)

Consultation outcome: Proposed changes to how smoking-attributable risk is calculated.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.

(Response to consultation on proposed changes to the calculation of smoking attributable mortality and hospital admissions. There was a positive response to updating the relative risks used for the calculation of smoking-related harm and all options provided through responses have been explored.)

A Snapshot of European Children’s Eating Habits: Results from the Fourth Round of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).
World Health Organization (WHO); 2021.

(Overall, the WHO findings from this study highlight that action is urgently needed to promote healthy eating habits among children in all the countries of the European Region, especially to increase daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.)

Youth Sport Trust impact report.
Youth Sport Trust; 2021.

(In this report we share data, insights and stories from some of the young people whose wellbeing we have been able to support. Working together with schools and valued partners we have improved physical and mental health, nurtured the development of character and leadership, and fostered inclusion and empathy to bring down barriers and build connections.)

Understanding and addressing inequalities in physical activity: evidence-based guidance for commissioners Public Health England (PHE); 2021

(This guidance can be used by practitioners and commissioners at a local level to begin tackling inequalities in physical activity across and within protected characteristic groups. It presents the findings of a review, analysis and research aimed at understanding the enablers, barriers and opportunities for increasing physical activity across inequality groups.)

Public Health

Current Awareness Updates

WHO reviews effect of physical activity on enhancing academic achievement at school.
World Health Organization (WHO); 2021.

(Today children and adolescents aged 5–17 years spend nearly two thirds of their time at school in sedentary activities and only five percent of school time doing physical activities. According to the WHO/Europe review, increasing the amount of physical activity can have a positive impact not only on children’s health and well-being, but also on their performance in the classroom.)

New data show vaccines reduce severe COVID-19 in older adults Public Health England (PHE); 2021

(New data show both Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines significantly reduce severe COVID-19 in older adults.)

A window of opportunity for Public Health NHS Providers; 2021

(A new briefing by NHS Providers looks at the risks and opportunities which may arise from the dissolution of PHE and the creation of the National Institute for Health Protection. It outlines considerations for a new public health system, along with the role of Trusts and Integrated Care Systems.)

NHS entitlements: migrant health guide.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.

(Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients. 17 February 2021: Updated links to COVID-19 migrant health guidance, dental health, and access to healthcare for migrant and/or undocumented children.)

Healthy weight environments: using the planning system.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.

[How local authorities’ public health and planning teams can promote healthy weight environments.]

Physical activity: understanding and addressing inequalities.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.

(Evidence-based guidance for addressing inequalities in physical activity locally. This guidance can be used by local level practitioners and commissioners to begin tackling inequalities in physical activity across and within protected characteristic groups. It presents the findings of a review, analysis and research aimed at understanding the enablers, barriers and opportunities for increasing physical activity across inequality groups.)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Keeping children safe from abuse and harm.
Home Office, Public Health England, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, and Department for Education; 2021.

(Advice for parents and carers about the main risks children may be particularly vulnerable to at this time and information about available help and support.)

COVID-19 in children and the role of school settings in transmission – first update.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC); 2020.

(The aim of this document is to provide an update on the knowledge surrounding the role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the role of schools in the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the experience in the EU from August–December, 2020. This document also addresses transmission to and from staff in school settings, school-related mitigation measures including risk communication, testing, contact tracing and the efficacy of partial and full school closures.)

Public Health

Current Awareness Updates

Everybody active, every day: framework for physical activity.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.
(An evidence-based approach for national and local action to address the physical inactivity epidemic. 8 January 2021: Added report ‘Muscle and bone strengthening activities for children and young people (5 to 18 years)’.)

SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing for public health goals: Interim guidance, 8 January 2021.
World Health Organization (WHO); 2021.
(This document provides policy-makers and stakeholders with guidance on how to maximize the public health benefit of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing activities in the short and long term as the pandemic continues to unfold. This guidance focuses on SARS-CoV-2 but is applicable to other pathogens of public health concern.)

Inclusion health: applying All Our Health.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.
(Guidance to help health professionals prevent ill health and promote wellbeing of individuals in inclusion health groups. This resource includes guidance on: why and how to take action on inclusion health in your professional practice; understanding local needs; measuring impact. It provides recommendations for frontline workers, team leaders, managers and senior or strategic leaders.)

Wound aware: a resource for drug services.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.
(Information for drug services to help them prevent, identify, treat and manage wounds in people who inject drugs. The resource includes practice notes aimed at service users and examples of good practice.)

Adult excess weight: patterns and trends Public Health England (PHE); 2021

(Trends in adult overweight, obesity and raised waist circumference are shown. Patterns are examined by age, sex, ethnic group, and area deprivation.)

Past COVID-19 infection provides some immunity but people may still carry and transmit virus Public Health England (PHE); 2021

(Study finds past coronavirus (COVID-19) infection provides some immunity for at least 5 months, but people may still carry and transmit the virus.)

Public Health Bulletin

Current awareness updates

To read the latest updates on public health download below.

Public-Health-Bulletin-30-October-2020-002 Download

Healthy Eating Week

British Nutrition Foundation healthy eating week 28th September to 4th October

Today’s challenge is to get active together. Why not plan a socially distanced walk with a friend or plan an active activity with the family, like exploring your local green areas or canals or make a splash swimming.

Why is it important to get active together?

There are many reasons why physical activity is important for health. However, being active together has a number of additional benefits, such as helping us:develop social skills;
-learn a new activity or sport;
-work as a team;
-enjoy new experiences;
-establish active habits for later years;
-look after our mental health;
-encouraging behaviour change through working together and setting targets.
We may be more likely to stick to being active if we have the motivation of others. Getting active together can be a great way to socialise and can be a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. It is also a way of making new friends and feeling part of a community.
(BNF)

Today’s challenge – get active together

For more top tips click here.

We are Undefeatable campaign has launched a new advert and resources

The campaign is aimed at people living with long-term health conditions and the new resources have been released to help them keep active at home.