Centre for Cities has published a deep dive of data on the UK's largest cities and towns.
Cities Outlook 2023 explores the link between increasing poor health and economic inactivity.
It also highlights inequalities in access to healthcare experienced across different parts of the UK.
For example, the share of patients waiting less than 18 weeks goes from just above 50 per cent in cities like Telford, Birmingham and Exeter to nearly 75 per cent in Sunderland, Barnsley and Newcastle.
Access the full analysis here via the Centre for Cities website.
The NHS Race and Health Observatory has released a report exploring the lived experience of people undergoing acute emergency hospital admissions for sickle cell and people managing crisis episodes at home.
Sickle cell digital discovery report: Designing better acute painful sickle cell care says digital products and services hold some potential to make things better.
They can reduce barriers to accessing care and put information into the hands of patients and healthcare professionals, enabling better self management and increased accountability and trust between patients and healthcare professionals.
In practice this is best achieved with evidence-based, iterative, user-centred design.
However, this potential has not been realised for healthcare professionals or patients yet.
Read the full report here via the NHS Race and Health Observatory website.
A new study aims to identify upload sources and content of gallstone disease videos on TikTok, as well as the factors related to video quality.
The quality of 100 videos was assessed using quantitative scoring tools such as DISCERN, the Journal of American Medical Association benchmark criteria and Global Quality Scores.
They found, while videos are mainly provided by doctors and contain disease knowledge, they are of low quality.
There was a positive correlation between video duration and quality.
High-quality videos received low attention and popular videos were of low quality.
Authors concluded medical information on TikTok is currently not rigorous enough to guide patients to make accurate judgments.
Read the study findings in full here via the JMIR website.
In this NIHR article, Lindsay Bearne, Helen Baxter and Tina Coldham discuss how to make health research and information accessible for everyone.
It highlights NIHR research which found written summaries should be short, use plain language and avoid jargon.
For example, sometimes the terms ‘research’ and ‘evidence’ are not widely understood.
It also highlights other approaches including working with intermediaries, sharing simple visuals on social media and considering other visual formats.
Read the article in full via the NIHR website here.
The Government has published a progress report on its Best Start for Life programme.
Best Start for Life: A Vision for the 1,001 critical days was first published in March 2021.
The report outlines the progress made since then and three priority areas for further development.
These include a digital version of the personal child health record.
Read the full summary via the Government website here.
The COVID-19 Recovery Committee is currently holding an inquiry to scrutinise what action the Scottish Government is taking to address Long Covid.
The ALLIANCE has submitted its response to the inquiry calling for more recognition of Long Covid.
It highlights the need for more public awareness of the life circumstances of people of all ages living with Long Covid in Scotland.
This includes more information on symptoms, medical treatment options and available social support for healthcare professionals, people living with Long Covid, unpaid carers and the general public.
Read the full response via the ALLIANCE website here.
Find out more about the inquiry via the Scottish Government website here.
PIF member NICE has recommended digital mental health tech for children and young people in its first rapid healthtech guidance.
NICE has recommended four digital technologies to help children and young people who have mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or low mood.
These technologies could be rolled out once they have achieved regulatory approval.
Find out more about the guidance via the NICE website here.
NHS England has published a guide to support adult musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy services to implement evidence-informed remote consultations.
The guidance is suitable for providers across primary community and secondary care.
Download the guide via the NHS England website here.
Digital health start-ups and scale-ups have been shortlisted for Rewired Pitchfest 2023.
From the 23 shortlisted, the judges will select 16 to go through and pitch live at Digital Health Rewired.
The shortlist features a wide range of innovative tech solutions, with AI and data driven apps featuring heavily.
Read more about the shortlist via the Digital Health website here.
The International Health Literacy Association is holding a free webinar tomorrow (16 February) on the role of health literacy and health promotion among migrants.
There will be the opportunity to hear about a health literacy and mental health literacy promotion project in Sweden and second language course interventions in Germany.
The webinar starts at 2pm UK time.
Click here to visit the webinar registration page.
Booking is now open for NHS Confed Expo 2023 which takes place from 14-15 June.
Passes are free for NHS Confederation members, NHS, local government and wider public sector staff.
Voluntary, third sector and community organisations receive a discount.
View full rates and booking details via the NHS Confed Expo website here.