Image guidelines for care and later life
A new set of image guidelines aims to ensure respectful and balanced portrayals of care and later life. The guidelines were developed as part of the Images of Care project at The University of Edinburgh’s Advanced Care Research Centre. They were co-produced with older adults after research revealed images often reinforce negative stereotypes. The guidelines include 10 top tips, plus more detailed guidance on how to choose and use images and the content of images.
Access the full guidance via the University of Edinburgh website here.
A checklist to build trust and anticipate misinformation
A comprehensive checklist aims to help public health departments and communicators build trust, improve communication and anticipate misinformation during public health emergencies. The checklist is broken into five priority areas including developing meaningful community relationships and anticipating misinformation. It includes advice, examples and useful tools.
Access the checklist via the Center for Health Security website here.
Study: The infodemic and unmet care needs
A new study says the emerging infodemic can be a barrier preventing people from accessing quality health information, contributing to lower levels of seeking medical care when needed. Researchers found unmet need for medical care was higher among individuals who perceived a substantial degree of social media mis- and disinformation. Unmet need was especially high among those who used social media daily, did not trust the healthcare system and experienced racial or ethnic discrimination. Researchers argue public health messaging must focus on daily social media users as well as improving trust and reducing structural racism.
Read the full study findings via the JMIR website here.
The Real Face of Men’s Health
The Movember Institute of Men's Health has published a report outlining the state of men's health across the UK. As well as outlining key data on men's health, it includes examples of what is effective across four critical elements of health system function to successfully engage with men. The first is health promotion programmes, including those which embrace the power of sports and the opportunity of the workplace to reach, respond and retain men.
Access the full report via the Movember website here.
Next steps on including technology appraisals in NICE guidelines
Earlier this year PIF member NICE ran a public consultation on methods for including its technology appraisal recommendations within its guidelines. NICE has now published its response to the consultation and updated its interim methods and process statement. The statement sets out how NICE plans to bring its guidance together by topic. Further work will be carried out where there are more complex cases, for example where there are multiple NICE-recommended treatment options within the care pathway.
Read more about the proposed changes here.
The link between poverty and children's mental health
A new report explores the impact of poverty on the mental health of families in the UK. It finds money and mental health are inextricably linked and the systems around families can either mitigate or exacerbate difficulties. Some groups are also likely to be disproportionately affected with children from Asian and Black families twice as likely to experience poverty as their white peers. The report sets out a plan for protecting children's health, including a double lock on children's benefits.
Read the full report via the Centre for Mental Health website here.
Poverty and the NHS
In this blog for The King's Fund, Julia Cream discusses how poverty, and the stigma around it, kills people early. She explores how stigma not only stops people accessing the services they need but also prevents services being designed in a way which supports people to move out of poverty.
Read the full blog via The King's Fund website here.
Health at the heart of government
The Health Foundation has published a briefing for rebuilding the nation's health through mission-driven government. The briefing says, based on current trends, the nation's health is set to get worse. To make progress, the government must learn lessons from the past and use fresh policies to tackle health inequalities.
Read the full briefing via The Health Foundation website here.