July 2016
Welcome to the ebulletin Welcome to the July edition of the Public Health Network Cymru ebulletin. This month’s spotlight is the 2016 Olympic Games which take place between 5 and 21 August. The slogan of this Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is “Viva sua paixão” which means ‘Live your passion’ and in the true spirit of The Games we have included some fun work based activities that offices can take part in to show their support. Advisory Group member Emily Marchant talks to us about her area of expertise and her current PhD work in child health and education. As promised we have developed a new look for the ebulletin in line with your comments from our Creating Connections Road show that took place in May; changes include splitting the English and Welsh into separate bulletins for ease of reading and adding a section called ‘The Health Buzz’ which highlights all our latest social media activity from Twitter, Facebook and our Forums. We hope you enjoy the new look and we’d love to know how your workplace is embracing the ethos of the Games by engaging in physical activity so drop us an email via publichealth.network@wales. nhs.uk. Also email us if you have any comments, suggestions and articles for future issues.
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The Sum
mmer of Sport Spotlight on the Olympic games For our spotlight this month we will be focusing on the Olympic Games! This summer, sport will be in the forefront of everyone’s minds after Wales’ triumph at the European football championships, Wimbledon, and the Olympics all within a short space of each other! With this in mind we should all be asking... What can we do to improve physical activity in Wales? Will all the excitement and buzz of the Euro’s create a new era of sporting champions?
Why won’t Rio 2016 help us get Wales moving? Opinion Piece: Rob Sage, Principal Health Promotion Practitoner, Public Health Wales As we countdown to the Rio Olympics, it’s a chance to reflect and look back at the much promised ‘Legacy’ of London 2012. Did the individual sporting success of the elite few, ‘inspire a generation’ to be more active? Do major sporting events having a lasting impact on the physical activity levels of the population?’ Athletes from over 200 countries will come to Rio to take part in 42 different sports, and many millions will watch their exploits on TV, but will they be motivated to be more active afterwards? And if they are, will that motivation last? Evidence that major sporting events, including London 2012, have an impact on physical activity participation among the wider population is not strong. Short term impacts have been observed, but most documented evidence suggests this soon drops off. Data showing increases in participation levels and associated measures, like spend on sports gear, could readily be explained by those already active being inspired to do more - and upgrade their kit! There are many models that aim to help us understand the components of behavior change, and ‘motivation’, ‘confidence’ and ‘opportunity’ are common elements. If we take ‘Motivation’ as being the most likely of these to be influenced by a high profile major sporting event, then we can perhaps see why any impact is only short term. Motivation can be presented on a scale running from Extrinsic [external] to Intrinsic [internal], with long term adoption of new behaviours suggested as requiring deep rooted intrinsic motivation – it needs to really mean something to you and be part of who you are. Generically observing lots of people you don’t know, and might not be able to identify with is unlikely to be motivating. Media and sports bodies will often aim to present the individual stories of Olympians to help us connect more readily with them on a more personal level, and increase the chance of us being inspired. But even if this connection can be made, once the event is over, and these personalities drop off our screens, the connection and the potential motivation is lost. The more detached the event is from our day to day reality, the less likely we are to be motivated, so if London 2012 had little impact here in Wales, we can expect Rio2016 to have less.
Road to Rio Project
Road to Rio is a sports-based project which is being delivered by Newport City Homes, Newport Live, Charter Housing, Monmouthshire Housing, Tesco and Linc Cymru. To view the full list of Road to Rio events, visit the Newport Live Website. The project has been running in primary schools, the city centre, and in communities each evening for the past 2 months culminating in a major event at the Newport International Sports Village. Already over 9,500 people (predominantly children and young people) have taken part, tried new sports, and got more active in Newport – leading to the big event and a series of Sport in the Park events in Newport this summer. Newport City Homes in partnership with Newport LIVE are providing free bus transport for those attending the Road to Rio community and family event to celebrate the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonial event on the Friday 5th August 11-4pm. The Road to Rio community and family event, held at Newport International Sports Village (NISV), will feature a huge array of sports taster sessions, Olympic and Paralympic sports, fun family activities, Brazilian food, dancers and singers. It will also highlight the cultural differences between the UK and Brazil, such as employment, the welfare system, health and education. There will be plenty of free activities available for all age groups and the Newport LIVE sports coaches, National Governing Bodies of Sport, and local sports clubs will be on hand to make it a spectacular event! For more information please contact karl.reed@newportlive.co.uk
Doping, Sport and Wider Use Of Image And Performance Enhancing Drugs By Gareth Morgan and Josie Smith, Substance Misuse Programme, Health Protection In less than two weeks Rio de Janeiro is set to play host to the Olympic Games. As 10,500 athletes representing more than 200 nations prepare to compete for glory and a piece of sporting history, attentions have been drawn towards a darker side of these monumental games. Described by World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) officials as the “biggest doping scandal of all time” Russian Olympic hopefuls have been placed under the spotlight following the exposure of a state-wide doping programme. This has since led to the disqualification of all of Russia’s track and field athletes, and several others across different sporting disciplines. Tales of doping within sporting disciplines are far from being a novel phenomenon with reports of performance enhancement dating back to the 19th century as Edward Payson Weston was alleged to having chewed on coca leaves in a bid to support endurance during a walking race ultra marathon. Since then, countless athletes including the likes of Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, Dwayne Chambers, and Lance Armstrong have received sanctions for proven anti-doping rule violations (ADRV). Outside of the elite sporting domain the use of performance enhancement supplements has since filtered down to individuals participating in semi-professional and amateur leagues. Nearly 25 per cent of athletes listed by UK Anti-Doping as currently serving an ADRV have derived from Welsh semi-professional/amateur federations. Whilst many associate the use of steroids within the sporting and bodybuilding community, the increase in production and availability of these substances and others has meant that use has evolved to include men and women seeking ‘the body beautiful’. As such, the term Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) has been coined to encapsulate such diverse motivations, and includes a plethora of substances ranging from injectable and oral anabolic androgenic steroids, human growth hormones and other peptides, fat-burners and diuretics, and injectable tanning agents such as Melanotan. The uses of such substances without medical supervision and above therapeutic dose ranges pose serious risk to both physical and psychological health. Furthermore, those who inject any substance are at risk of blood borne virus and or bacterial infection. IPED use in Wales is widespread with over 13,000 individuals regularly in contact with services for IPED injecting equipment in 2015. Since 2010, Public Health Wales have initiated and led a collaborative programme with specialists at the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University, Public Health England and NHS Scotland. The programme includes the website, containing evidence and harm reduction information for those considering or already using IPEDs, a national training programme and toolkit for young people and the national IPED survey designed to evidence, over time, the nature and scale of IPED use across the UK; physical and psychological health harms experienced by users; and other associated risk behaviours. The 2015 survey, with information from over 650 IPED users, shows that motivations for use range from increasing physical strength and ability to weight loss and increasing sex drive. For further information, visit The IPed Website and the Public Health Wales Website.
Disability Sports Wales #whatsyourstory
Physical Activity 2016: Progress and Challenges In 2012, The Lancet published its first Series on physical activity, which concluded that physical inactivity is as important a modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases as obesity and tobacco. Four years later, the second Series presents an update of the field, including progress in epidemiological research, global surveillance, intervention strategies, and policy actions. The papers will also feature the largest harmonised meta-analysis on the joint health effects of sedentary behaviour and physical activity, and the first global estimate of the economic burden of physical inactivity. The Series encourages policy makers to take physical activity more seriously and to provide sufficient capacity and funding to implement national policies. Without a rapid increase in action, the WHO target of a 10% reduction in physical inactivity by 2025 will not be reached. We must continue to strive towards the longer term goal: the integration of physical activity into our daily lives.
Oasis Volleyball In anticipation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the Oasis Refugee and Asylum Seeker Centre joined forces with Volleyball Wales and Cardiff Volleyball Club to organise a one off volleyball festival on Moorland Park, Splott. Local Sport Cardiff officers, planned the event which engaged over 25 male refugees from countries as far away as Eritrea and Nigeria. One of the participants who attended the event stated ‘it was such a great day, I can’t wait to play more volleyball’. Sport Cardiff officers are now working to develop a sustainable club in the centre with a view to entering a team into the Cardiff Volleyball League.
National Sports Day with I Am GB On Saturday 27 August, I Am GB are inviting the entire nation to join the homecoming Olympic heroes and say “I Am Team GB”. Brought to you by The National Lottery and ITV, I Am Team GB will feature thousands of fun, free events across the country. The event is taking place in partnership with the British Olympic Association, UK Sport and is supported by Join In. There is an A-Z of brilliant ways to get involved available on the website. From high-octane activities to fun family games and gentle outdoor pursuits, there really is something for everyone. For more information please visit the I Am GB website.
Physical Activity Interventions for Older People Wed 3rd August 2016, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Surf Room 2.00pm – 3.00pm This seminar forms a part of the workshop to establish a research development group in the area of Healthy Ageing in Older Adults, with a particular focus on physical activity. The seminar will begin with a brief overview of the Lincoln Institute for Health, illustrating the LIH capacity for cell to community translational research, before focussing on specific examples of our research in physical activity interventions with older people. These examples will include large, multi-centre clinical trials in the areas of falls prevention, rheumatoid arthritis and dementia. The seminar will introduce some of the behaviour change approaches we have developed, applied and tested, as well as highlight key lessons learned. Chris Bridle is Professor of Behavioural Medicine and Director of the Lincoln Institute for Health (LIH), which comprises 11 research groups spanning the translational spectrum. In REF 2014, LIH was ranked 9th out of 98 University submissions for the quality of research published by its researchers. Chris is a Chartered Health Psychologist and has held posts at the Universities of York, Warwick and Aberystwyth. He has expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of randomised controlled trials and evidence syntheses, particularly in relation to behavioural interventions. He has secured £15m in research funding in the last 10 years, with £4m as Chief Investigator, from funding organisations such as NIHR, ESRC and EU Horizon 2020 programme. To reserve a space please email Joanne Hudson: joanne.hudson@Swansea.ac.uk
Roath to Rio To celebrate the Rio 2016 Olympics Sport Cardiff came together with Communities First and Welsh Refugee Council to create the Roath to Rio Festival. The event took place on Saturday 4th June on Roath Park Rec as part of Refugee Week. The aim was to integrate refugees and asylum seekers within the local Cardiff community, as well as breaking down barriers associated with refugees through sport. It was hugely successful engaging more than 300 people from a wide range of countries! five NGB's/ community clubs attended offering free taster sessions in Olympic sports including athletics, badminton, golf and volleyball as well as cricket. In addition to this, a football tournament took place engaging 5 refugee/asylum seeker teams alongside 5 community teams. Clear Springs were also in attendance providing free food and drink to all those taking part.
Insport Series On September 9th and 10th Disability Sport Wales largest annual event, the insport series, is taking place at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus. Over 600 disabled people and their family and friends are expected to attend across the two days, to try 20 different sports, all under one roof! Suitable for all ages and ability levels, this well established event offers disabled people the unique opportunity to try a huge array of sports and also find out about local sports clubs they can join. Sports on offer include football, climbing, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, wheelchair tennis, golf, shooting, judo, goalball, trampolining, plus much more Anyone is welcome to attend on either day anytime between 10am and 4pm and entry is free. For further details call 029 2020 5284 or email office@disabilitysportwales.com
Whats your story: Nathan Stephens
City Region Exchange Pilot Project: Get Started in Sport and Exercise The project run by Cardiff University aimed to address the challenge of enabling individuals to engage in sport and exercise as part of the Welsh Government (WG) strategy to improve the health of people in Wales. A total of 11 workshops on how to exercise well were delivered to a population who have recently taken up or plan to start an exercise programme for health. The total reach of the workshops was 53 individuals. 7.5% of those individuals returned for further ongoing education after the initial workshops were held earlier in 2016. 11% had participated in the Cardiff World Half Marathon but had not been able to attend the workshops the first time. They had heard about them through friends and therefore signed up when additional sessions were provided at alternative times. Approximately 80% had not run a half marathon before and were aiming to run in the Cardiff Half in October 2016. The workshops were complimented by online educational material, including self-help videos delivered by a sport and exercise specialist physiotherapist. A bespoke online resource was conducted, guiding participants to selected videos. Participants were also directed to the Cardiff University website, where additional videos were available for those that enjoyed that media interface. These videos were accessed 1,232 times by 149 different individuals and the general supportive information was used 820 times by 114 people. Each workshop session was led by a senior member of staff from the Cardiff University Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy clinic, accompanied by undergraduate students, providing a valuable learning experience for the student outside of their normal teaching. Participants reflected the target audience of the population and this was encouraging. Reports from Community First in Merthyr have shown that running has increased significantly as a form of exercise and more individuals are continuing to join the beginners’ running club. Further development Engagement with the Merthyr Tydfil group is continuing. The pilot is currently being expanded into the Grangetown group. This group has secured a small amount of funding for us to conduct one or two workshops at their launch, aiming to start a similar running group in the area. We are also considering modifying the model to link to other strategic development in organisations such as Welsh Gymnastics. This group has a flourishing initiative getting children to take up gymnastics, linking to physical literacy principles and has been particularly successful in ethnic minority groups in the South Wales area. Therefore the pilot could be deemed very successful, not only in the outcome of the grant funded activity but in potential for future engagement.
Exercise in Pregnancy Maternity services within ABMU have partnered with National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) to offer specific pregnancy related exercise to women in the area. Women are offered referral at their booking appointment with their midwife and the details are then sent to NERS team. The NERS exercise co-ordinators contact the woman; discuss her needs and how NERS can help encourage exercise in pregnancy. There are classes available in both Swansea and Bridgend localities via NERS. In Neath Port Talbot, services are being offered by Celtic Leisure in their Fit 4 Birth programme. They offer the same reduced rate to women during pregnancy and accept referrals for women with BMI>30 who wish to exercise in the Neath Port Talbot areas. Classes are provided in Afan Lido, Port Talbot with plans to expand to other Celtic Leisure sites. Women are offered classes in their area and unless they are eligible for “passport to health” or have a membership already in place, they pay a reduced rate of £2 per session. This has been made possible by funding provided by ABMU Public Health team who have given a substantial grant to support programme by NERS and Celtic Leisure. If you wish to know more about the pregnancy NERS / Fit 4 Birth please contact Kate Evans – Public Health Midwife, ABMU 07870831176 or email kate.evans5@ wales.nhs.uk Active Birth/ Hypno-birth classes are offered to women in ABMU by a small group of midwives. The midwives have been specifically trained to offer this programme for birth. The aim is to keep women mobile, upright and in-touch with their emotional strength to encourage normal birth. The team has just expanded and classes are full weeks in advance. If you are interested in finding out more please contact community midwife Kath Silvey 07766466940
The Office Olympics 2016 Keep fit and have fun with a bit of healthy (and safe) competition with The Office Olympics. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
The Hula Hoop Challenge 2 Hula Hoops, one winner. First person to drop the hoop (no cheating, you can’t use your hands, knees or feet to keep it up) loses. Or you could have a league table, and the person who keeps the Hula Hoop up spinning for the longest time wins. A great physical activity to undertake whilst your on that conference call!
Egg and Spoon Fencing Precision is key when playing Egg and Spoon Fencing, first person to knock the other persons egg off their spoon is the winner. Top Tip: Play with hard boiled eggs... you dont want to be responsible for cleaning the mess of the carpets!
Waste Paper Archery The Rules are pretty simple with this one! Aim to throw your waste paper in the bin from afar. The person who gets the paper closest or in the bin wins. If more than 1 person gets their paper in the bin, have a sudden death throw off.
Paper Collation Race You have 4 minutes until your meeting, and you have a pile of uncollated papers that have been jumbled up with other peoples printing! You have 4 minutes to find the agenda and put all of the paper work into the correct order. You can make this game 1 on 1 timed, or make it a relay. Just watch out for paper cuts!
On the Spot This month, we have Public Health Network Cymru Group member Emily Marchant on the spot. Emily is currently undertaking a PhD at Swansea University which will focus on a primary school network called HAPPEN (Health and Attainment of Pupils in a Primary Education Network). Emily will be evaluating HAPPEN and link up the attainment of primary school pupils with health records that are stored in a database called SAIL.
What is your area of expertise?
My background is in child public health, having experience in both research and community settings. I am currently studying my PhD in child health and education at Swansea University. The research I am undertaking is centred on HAPPEN; a primary school health and education network that I coordinate. The network is a collaboration of health, education and research professionals and aims to improve the health, wellbeing and education outcomes of primary school children in Swansea.
Why did you join the PHNC Advisory Group?
I have been a member of the PHNC since its re-launch, and I was a member of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Network for Wales before that. The development of an Advisory Group was an exciting opportunity to have a voice on the future direction of the network, collaborating with members from different health backgrounds. I also wanted to represent my field from both a research and community point of view.
What do you perceive the challenges will be for the Advisory Group?
Balancing all group members’ contributions on current public health priorities, other health issues and any emerging themes or research. The Advisory Group consists of very experienced individuals from a range of health backgrounds. It is important that we utilise each member’s skills and apply their knowledge in the relevant area.
This month’s e-bulletin spotlights the Olympics, how do you think the Olympics can influence children and young people in Wales to increase their physical activity levels? The Olympics provides a platform to celebrate sport and physical activity. Sport is one of the fundamental bones that define Welsh culture. As a nation, we are in a particularly captive moment for sporting inspiration, with the Olympics running off the back of our recent success at the Euros. It is essential that organisations that have opportunities to deliver physical activity utilise this spirit that is encapsulating communities at the moment. Using the Olympics as a theme in physical activity delivery is one avenue that organisations can exploit in influencing children and young people’s physical activity levels.
What tips would you give our members to help actively promote physical activity?
Have a look at what already works in other organisations. People are often keen to develop a novel method of engaging people in physical activity, when really we can learn a lot more from areas of shared practice. A great example is the daily mile, an initiative that was started by a Head Teacher at a primary school in Scotland. Pupils run for 15 minutes each day with the main aim of improving their health, well-being and fitness levels. The daily mile has now been adopted by schools all over the UK, and it is examples like this that organisations can adapt and deliver to their audience.
If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be?
P.E. to be made a core curriculum subject in schools, national physical inactivity levels to reduce and bigger restrictions on added sugars in children’s food and drinks.
If you were competing in the Olympics which sport would you take part in and why?
It would have to be the heptathlon. As a child, I had a fantastic experience of PE and school sport and I believe it was this positive experience throughout school that has contributed to physical activity being engrained in my lifestyle as an adult. I have fond memories of warm summer afternoons spent on the school fields playing the many realms of athletics. I admire the level of skill required in the heptathlon to be able to compete in such a diverse range of events.
The Grapevine This section of the ebulletin is dedicated to news from the network members. You can submit news on the work being undertaken in your area, write us an article, showcase an upcoming project or show off your achievements! If you would like to submit an article for the Grapevine, please email Sarah.James10@wales.nhs.uk The article should be no longer than 500 words and pictures are always welcome!
Strictly Parkinsons: Dance Classes in Builth Wells In the heart of Mid-Wales in Builth Wells there is dance/exercise class called Strictly Parkinsons. It has been running successfully for nearly four years now and is led by two dance leaders who have trained to understand the many and varied mobility and speech problems people living with Parkinsons can experience. Therefore the class will generally consist of relaxation, gentle stretches, seated work on arms and legs, some speech exercises and then lead into creative dance which can be seated or standing and moving according to each individuals’ ability on that day. There is a lot of laughter involved and the social aspect is important as people living with Parkinsons especially in our rural area, can suffer from isolation and lack of confidence. We meet on a Thursday morning in school term times in the Wesley Hall and all the participants agree that we all feel the benefit of the class, however briefly, in our posture, mobility and balance and perhaps most of all in our sense of wellbeing. Having initially been funded by Powys Dance who have since taken on charitable status, at present this class is funded by the South Powys branch of Parkinsons UK but it is not essential to be a Parkinsons UK member. All who are affected by Parkinsons are welcome, those with the disease, their carers and family members or close friends. The class has been featured on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Wales Today and is one of the pioneers of this form of therapeutic exercise in Wales though there is considerable growing interest and there are other dance/exercise classes in Wales now. For more Information you can Contact Steff Streat on 01597 851319
National Institute for Health Research Dissemination Centre supports NHS decision makers across the UK The NIHR Dissemination Centre has been set up to make health research evidence easier to reach for those who need it. Each week we publish three or four new ‘Signals’ – short summaries of health research that has appeared recently in peer-reviewed journals. Signals are published on the Dissemination Centre’s portal ‘Discover’. This is a free, open access site and is fully searchable. Everyone is welcome to sign up on our website to receive a monthly update of all Signals that we publish or choose to receive Signals in particular categories. The Dissemination Centre also produces two other key products: Highlights and Themed Reviews. Highlights are short digests of up to six NIHR-funded research studies or systematic reviews. The Highlight is developed in discussion with key stakeholders and is presented in different segments for varying audiences. A Highlight includes clear guidance for readers on how they can follow up or implement the findings of the research. The first three Highlights - on obesity in men, cognitive therapies for depression and support for carers of people with dementia - are available on our website. The next Highlight, on alternatives to open surgery, will be published in July 2016. Themed Reviews offer a more extensive review of ‘the state of the evidence’ on a key health or social care issue. These reviews are developed with a steering group of professional and patient/carer experts. They give decision-makers of all kinds the research evidence they need to shape the delivery of services. The first two Themed Reviews - on End of Life Care and Research for Ambulance Services are available on our website. The next Themed Review, on prevention, treatment and self-management of Type 2 Diabetes, will be published at the end of August 2016. Please also join our many followers on Twitter @NIHR_DC
Physio will manage whole Welsh team at next Commonwealth Games Nicola Phillips will act as chef de mission for the Welsh team of athletes, coaches, managers and support staff at the games, which will be held on Australia’s Gold Coast. A chef de mission acts as team manager in the run-up to, and at, major championships, a role Dr Phillips took for the first time at last September’s Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa. Dr Phillips has worked as a physio at numerous championships including acting as chief physio for Team GB at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. She has also worked in professional rugby union, and is professor of physiotherapy at Cardiff University. Dr Phillips said: ‘For me, this feels a natural step and a culmination of decades of involvement with the Commonwealth Games. ‘I’ve been involved with Commonwealth Games Wales for the past 30 years, and have travelled with the team to several games in different roles. ‘All my professional life has been about supporting athletes in some way or other, so to be awarded the top leadership role for Team Wales is absolutely amazing.’
Terrence Higgins Trust Research Project Terrence Higgins Trust is looking to hear from you about your experiences of growing older with HIV. Your views will help us in our lobbying of the UK government to make sure that the needs of older people living with HIV are met. If you are aged 50 years or older and living with HIV please be a part of this important research by clicking here to complete our survey. This research is being designed and implemented with the help and input of our team of peer researchers, all of whom are living with HIV and in their 50s and 60s.
For your chance to win this amazing hamper of luxury pampering goodies all you need to do is complete this really important survey and enter your email address at the end. This hamper, worth a total of ÂŁ540, includes a Molton Brown bath set and many more designer products. Good luck! Terrence Higgins Trust is always looking to ensure that the voices of people living with HIV are heard by decision makers and this informs all of the work that we do. If you would be interested in being interviewed or taking part in a workshop as part of the later stages of this research project please contact us at research@tht.org.uk.
Do you sit at a desk all day? The Chartered Society of physiotherapy have produced a set of postcards with tips on staying fit in the workplace. They are available to download or to order via the CSP website.
News Round-Up Welcome to the new News Round-Up! Click on the headings of the news item to take you to the full news story on the Public health Network Cymru Website.
Nutrition Multivitamin and mineral supplements for mums-to-be are needless expense according to researchers Multivitamin and mineral supplements, often promoted to pregnant women as a means of giving their child the best possible start in life, are unlikely to be needed by most mums- to-be and are an unnecessary expense, concludes a review of the available evidence, published in this month's issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB).
Sexual Health New STI figures show continued increases among gay men New sexually transmitted infections (STIs) figures show continued increases among gay men and sustained high rates in young people. Latest figures published on 5 July 2016 from Public Health England (PHE) show there were 434,456 sexually transmitted infections reported in England in 2015; 54,275 of which were among gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, a 10% increase since 2014. Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI, accounting for 46% of diagnoses (200,288 cases), followed by genital warts (68,310 cases).
Substance Misuse I’m Worth campaign The I’m Worth campaign is a disease awareness programme that aims to address the stigma that many people with hepatitis C face. It has been developed and funded by Gilead Sciences with input from patient groups with an interest in hepatitis C in the UK.
Physical Activity Eyes on Evidence: improving physical activity among older people in the community The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have released an Eyes on Evidence commentary which helps contextualise important new evidence, highlighting areas that could signal a change in clinical practice.
Alcohol An increase in the price of alcohol could reduce A&E visits A study carried out by researchers at Cardiff University has concluded that small increases in the price of alcohol, above inflation, in both markets, would substantially reduce the number of patients attending Emergency Departments for treatment of violence-related injuries in England and Wales.
Smoking Vaping in public places: advice for employers and organisations Public Health England (PHE) has published new framework advice for businesses and employers to help them create their own policies on the use of e-cigarettes.
Sexuality Better mental health for LGBTU young people Allsorts Youth Project has published a guide to mental health and wellbeing written for and by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) young people.
Click Here for more news on the Public Health Network Cymru website
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Playday 2016 03 August 2016 National Event
UCL Centre for Behaviour Change Summer School 08 - 12 August 2016 University College London, London
Street Games Multi Sport Festival 11 August 2016 Cardiff
Webinar: Brief Advice on Physical Activity 22 August 2016 Webinar
International Population Data Linkage Network Conference 22 - 25 August 2016 The Great Hall, Swansea University
Click Here for more events on the Public Health Network Cymru website
The Health Buzz #LGBTCymru Tweets On 22 July Public Health Network Cymru held a seminar entitled Improving LGBT Health within the Community, the event was a sucess, and the presentations were live streamed via twitter. To Catch up on tweets and view the videos, visit @PHNetworkCymru or search #LGBTCymru.
Apps and the Internet
Health benefits of Pokémon Go Real-life positive health consequences of playing Pokémon Go--a new GPS-based augmented reality game--are being realized across the nation. According to one expert, this quest to “catch ‘em all” is great news for public health.
Health Apps for Physical Activity Doncaster Council have released a list of recommended Health related apps designed to get you moving, including couch to 5k, Stepwise and HiMOTIV.
Contact Us 02921 841943 Publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk Hadyn Ellis Building Maindy Road Cathays Cardiff CF24 4HQ www.publichealthnetwork.cymru If you have any news or events to contribute to the next edition please submit them to publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk deadline for submission is the 3rd friday of every month.
Next edition: Spotlight on Dementia