NHS Youth Forum reports on health literacy
The NHS Youth Forum has published research study reports on 4 topics, including health literacy.
The forum was set up in 2013 to give young people in England a say in health services.
More than 20 young people volunteer for the forum. The 4 reports are:
- Health literacy: A review on how to make NHS information more accessible to young people
- NHS Youth Forum: Healthcare inequalities
- Digital access report
- Young people’s mental health experiences.
The aim of the health literacy study was to improve the design of children and young people’s resources on NHS social media channels.
It recommends the creation of a new NHS Instagram site.
It also says consulting with young people during development will help ensure content is more user-friendly and easier to understand.
Download all the reports from the British Youth Council website here.
Imposter participants threaten research data integrity
Researchers are raising concerns about the threat of imposter participants in online qualitative research.
They voice worries about the potential threat to data integrity in a letter to the journal Health Expectations.
The authors explain how they began to suspect some participants in a series of online studies were not who they claimed to be. Things that raised suspicion included:
- Mentioning recruitment sites not used by the study
- Responding unusually fast to recruitment advertisements posted on social media
- Sending multiple follow-up emails in quick succession.
They recommend all researchers who use online methods in their qualitative studies consider having a protocol for dealing with potential imposter participants.
Read the letter via the Wiley Online Library here.
Toolkit for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week
PIF member Diabetes UK has teamed up with NHS England to raise awareness during Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week.
To mark the week, which runs from 23 to 29 May, NHS England has released a digital toolkit.
Diabetes UK is also raising awareness of its Type 2 Diabetes Know Your Risk tool ahead of the launch.
Read more about Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week via the Diabetes UK website here.
Shopping vouchers app helps people lose weight in fight against diabetes
A health and fitness app with shopping voucher rewards is being offered to patients in south-west London.
This follows the trial of a 10-week Prevention Decathlon Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programme including:
- Using the app
- A structured education programme
- Group activities
- Encouragement to join team sports.
The programme is a collaboration between South West London Integrated Care System, Richmond and Wandsworth Public Health and Sweatcoin.
Participants lost an average of 3kg. Researchers say 85% of people are likely to lose weight on the programme.
The Sweatcoin app offers monetary rewards per step taken.
Find out more about the Prevention Decathlon programme here.
Public urged to get active for better mental health
A new campaign is encouraging people to take up physical activity to relieve anxiety.
It is part of the NHS’s Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign.
It was launched for Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs until 21 May. The theme of the week, is anxiety.
The Better Health – Every Mind Matters website also gives people the chance to sign up to anxiety-easing emails.
Find out more about the campaign on the Better Health Matters website.
Resources aim to reduce anxiety
Digital accessibility charity AbilityNet is highlighting a range of information and support resources on its website to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
The resources highlighted all aim to support people and organisations dealing with mental health issues. They are:
- Blog: How to aid anxiety this Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
- Blog: Anxiety and Technology: The Positive and Negative Effects
- Factsheet: Cost of Living crisis: helpful digital resources
- Factsheet: How computers can help manage stress
- Blog: 7 apps to help reduce anxiety at university
Action plan for closer work between ICSs and the voluntary sector
Leaders in Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector must take action to ensure they work well together.
So says a new report from the King’s Fund, Actions to support partnership: addressing barriers to working with the VCSE sector in integrated care systems.
The report provides an overview of core actions needed to tackle barriers to better partnership working between ICSs and the VCSE sector.
Recommended actions include leaders in both areas setting up formal communications and strategic planning channels.
Download The King’s Fund report here.
WHO opens new infodemic management channel
The World Health Organization is urging people to sign up to a new infodemic learning hub.
The OpenWHO infodemic management channel will include 8 new courses in English, French and Spanish.
Courses on the hub offer strategies, good practice advice and tools. They are designed for infodemic managers and health workers.
Subscribe to the new WHO hub here.
Improving support for terminally ill people at work
PIF member Marie Curie is working with the What Works Centre for Wellbeing to design terminal illness employment policies.
The organisations are recruiting ‘people professionals’ to take part in a series of free, facilitated workshops between June and September 2023.
The initiative was started after a survey revealed only 44% of organisations have policies to support employees working with a terminal illness.
To find out more and express an interest, visit the What Works Centre for Wellbeing website here.
Community support website asks for feedback on accessibility toolbar
ALISS, A local Information System for Scotland, has installed an accessibility toolbar on its website.
It is asking people to test the new toolbar and feedback on how useful it is.
ALISS is a database of community services, groups and resources in Scotland.
Try out the toolbar and send feedback (via the 3 dots menu to the right of the toolbar) here.
Listen: New 3-part podcast series focuses on local partnerships work
A new podcast series from NHS England offers insight, knowledge and first-hand experience on delivering more joined-up local health and social care.
Dwayne Johnson, chief executive officer for Sefton Council and policy spokesperson for health and adult social care for the Society of Local Chief Executives, hosts the first episode.
It focuses on the key role of local authorities and the VCSE sector in addressing underlying factors affecting people’s health.
Listen to the podcast on the NHS England SoundCloud channel here.
Video: Encouraging better bone health
New films from PIF member the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) demonstrate exercises to maintain and improve bone health.
They explain a series of weight-bearing impact and muscle-strengthening exercises.
There is also guidance on how to increase exercise intensity.
The films were developed by the ROS’s clinical advisor in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.