By NatCen Social Research (2013)
This report identifies what factors predict high levels of wellbeing among various groups including children and young people. This study’s focus on the predictors of positive wellbeing is designed to inform policy across the Department of Health, Public Health England, and beyond. It is being published alongside the launch of a major new Change4Life campaign, which draws on this study’s findings.
Steptoe, A. et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, March 25th 2013; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1219686110
Both social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased
mortality, but it is uncertain whether their effects are independent
or whether loneliness represents the emotional pathway through
which social isolation impairs health. We therefore assessed the
extent to which the association between social isolation and
mortality is mediated by loneliness. We assessed social isolation
in terms of contact with family and friends and participation in
civic organizations in 6,500 men and women aged 52 and older
who took part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing in
2004–2005. A standard questionnaire measure of loneliness was
administered also. We monitored all-cause mortality up to March
2012 (mean follow-up 7.25 y) and analyzed results using Cox proportional
hazards regression. We found that mortality was higher
among more socially isolated and more lonely participants. However,
after adjusting statistically for demographic factors and
baseline health, social isolation remained significantly associated
with mortality (hazard ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval, 1.08–
1.48 for the top quintile of isolation), but loneliness did not (hazard
ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval, 0.78–1.09). The association
of social isolation with mortality was unchanged when loneliness
was included in the model. Both social isolation and loneliness
were associated with increased mortality. However, the effect of
loneliness was not independent of demographic characteristics or
health problems and did not contribute to the risk associated with
social isolation. Although both isolation and loneliness impair
quality of life and well-being, efforts to reduce isolation are likely
to be more relevant to mortality.
By CIPD (Autumn 2013)
CIPD, in partnership with the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA), commissioned YouGov to conduct a survey of employees working in the healthcare sector in the UK to find out their attitudes to working in the sector, the values in NHS organisations, trust within the health service, and culture change to improve patient care in the NHS.
Click here to view this report
By NatCen Social Research (2013)
This report charts three decades of public views on British society, politics and morality. It also details how the public’s view of the NHS has changed over the last 30 years and examines how satisfaction with the NHS has changed and how this correlates with particular policies or spending.
By WHO (2013)
Health 2020 is a value- and evidence-based health policy framework for health and well-being among the people of the WHO European Region. Health 2020 focuses on improving health for all and reducing health inequalities, through improved leadership and governance for health. It focuses on today’s major health problems. It identifies four priority areas for policy action and is innovative in terms of responses across all levels and sectors of government and society, emphasizing developing assets and resilience within communities, empowerment and creating supportive environments. It details the strengthened roles of public health services and the health system.
By The Alzheimer’s Society (August 2013)
This report finds that while there are some excellent examples of community provision for dementia, less than half of survey respondents think their area is set up to help them live well with dementia (42%). Results also become considerably lower the more advanced the person’s dementia is. Findings show that there is significant goodwill in the community to help people with dementia live well. The report states that not only do people feel that dementia-friendly places would be better for everyone, but that for every one person with dementia that is able to stay in their own home for a year longer, rather than entering residential care, £11,000 would be saved.
Griffiths, LJ. et al. BMJ Open, 2013; 3:e002893
These findings showed that only half of 7-year-old children in the UK achieve recommended levels of physical activity, with significant gender, ethnic and geographic variations. The report states that further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the relevance of these patterns for long-term health and wellbeing. It also recommends that in the meantime, population-wide efforts to boost physical activity among young people are needed, and will be reliant on a broad range of policy interventions.
By The King’s Fund (2013)
This case study is part of a research project undertaken by The King’s Fund and funded by Aetna and the Aetna Foundation in the United States to compare five successful UK-based models of care co-ordination. It looks at the Sandwell Esteem Team, part of the Sandwell Integrated Primary Care Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (the Sandwell Wellbeing Hub) in the West Midlands. This hub is a holistic primary and community care-based approach to improving social, mental and physical health and wellbeing in the borough of Sandwell.
By The Children’s Society (2013)
This report says the happiness of children in the UK is in decline, with 15% of young teenagers reporting low wellbeing. This is the second in a series of annual reports to outline what we know about the quality of children’s lives – as rated by children themselves.
By Carers Trust (2013)
This resource was developed to ensure that support for carers is prioritised by CCGs. It makes the case that supporting carers’ wellbeing can reduce overall spending in the NHS and will help commissioners to meet their required outcomes.