Issuu

PU BL IC HEALT H NET WOR K CYMRU E- B ULLETI N JANUARY 2024

PROTECTING HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS

In this issue Tackling the public health effects of climate change

Fudning opportunity: Climate change and health

Climate change and community wellbeing

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Welcome C

limate change will have a major impact on health, well-being and inequalities in Wales and planning and adaptation to climate change is everyone‘s business. We need to work together to plan and adapt to climate change. This e-bulletin includes a range of articles which highlight national, regional or local initiatives, policies or programmes which focus on health and wellbeing impacts that need to be addressed in planning for, and responding to climate change. We recently held a conference on this topic which can be viewed on the past events page of our website.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

In this issue... 4

Articles

Public Health Wales – tackling the public health effects of climate change

The Grapevine Knowledge gap regarding HIV transmission and testing in Wales Dr Catherine Sharp, Public Health Researcher, Policy and International Health, WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Wellbeing

Tracy Evans, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, Eurgain Powell, Principle in Sustainable Development and Health, Ann Jones, Principle in Sustainable Development and Health, Health & Sustainability Hub, Public Health Wales

Sustainable Steps Wales: Green Careers Community Fund

Primary care on a journey to net zero Sian Evans, Consultant in Public Health, Angharad Wooldridge, Senior Public Health Practitioner

Are you feeling the impacts of climate change in your home? Professor Carolyn Hayles, Professor of Environmental and Sustainable Design for the Built Environment, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UKRI Policy Fellow, Climate Adaptation Pathways, Welsh Government

Funding Opportunity: Climate change and health National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Climate Change and community wellbeing: The Health Impact Assessment of Fairbourne, Gwynedd Prepared by Llion Pritchard, Project Manager, YGC, Cyngor Gwynedd, on behalf of the Fairbourne Moving Forward Project Board

Utilising de-identified administrative and health data to inform climate change policy Samantha Turner, Research Officer, Swansea University Richard Fry, Associate Professor, Swansea University

Public Health Scotland publishes its first Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Elizabeth Oldcorn, Service Manager – Healthy Environments, Public Health Scotland

Videos

News & Resources

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Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Articles Practice

Public Health Wales – tackling the public health effects of climate change Tracy Evans, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, Eurgain Powell, Principle in Sustainable Development and Health, Ann Jones, Principle in Sustainable Development and Health, Health & Sustainability Hub, Public Health Wales

he health of people and the planet are inextricably linked. We rely on basic needs such as clean air, water, food and a safe shelter to live. Therefore, a healthier planet means healthier populations. Climate change is recognised as the most significant public health threat of the century because our basic needs are in danger. We can all help to make a difference and change how we interact with each other, with nature and our environment, to work towards a future where both people and planet can thrive. This threat was recently acknowledged worldwide at COP28 (the global UN climate change conference) in December 2023. With a day dedicated to health a Declaration on Climate and Health was signed by 143 countries, which highlighted the importance of addressing the interactions between climate change and human health and wellbeing. A declaration was also agreed by 159 countries on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, recognising the adverse climate impacts are increasingly threatening the resilience of agriculture and food systems.

As the national public health organisation for Wales, Public Health Wales supports and takes responsibility to protect the health of the population, to promote action on climate change, respond and facilitate action and monitor and evaluate actions to understand where we can have the most impact. Embedding the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act: In Wales, we have a unique legislation, the Well-being of Future Generation Act, provides a strong enabling framework for achieving a sustainable Wales. The WFG Act remains pivotal to helping Public Health Wales work towards a Wales where all people enjoy longer, healthier lives and have fair and equal access to the essential conditions that lead to good health and well-being, now and for future. Our revised 4

Long-Term strategy and Well-being Statement sets out how we will achieve this and includes our new strategic priority, ‘tackling the public health effects of climate change’. Highlighting the Health impacts of climate change: In 2023 Public Health Wales’ published a Health Impact Assessment on the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change across Wales. It shows that changes to our climate such as wetter weather in the winter, flooding, coastal erosion, and drier, hotter summers will have significant impacts on physical, mental and social health and wellbeing such as increasing heat related illness, mental health problems as a result of experiencing flooding, and disruption to essential services.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

Whilst the health of the whole population will be impacted by climate change in some way, there are groups who are likely to be more vulnerable to negative health and wellbeing impacts including older adults, children and young people, people with long term health conditions, people in certain occupation groups (such as outdoor workers), people living by the coast, and those living on a low income. The report suggests that action on adaptation needs to go beyond responses to individual episodes of extreme weather (which will become more frequent). Long-term, preventative solutions are needed that adapt policy, housing, the living environment, and individual behaviours, with the aim of preserving quality of life and wellbeing for all. Public participation in policy and planning for the future needs to be strengthened, and we need to build more support to help communities to prepare, respond and recover from flooding, coastal erosion, and other environmental impacts.

Public Health Wales’ Health and Sustainability Hub undertook a research project to understand the impact these changes have had on PHW’s carbon footprint, with the report and supporting infographics published in November 2023. When comparing the pre pandemic reporting year against the mid pandemic reporting year, PHW’s emissions increased significantly, by 161%. This

Identifying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our carbon emissions: Public Health Wales was at the forefront of Wales’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and over the past few years we have seen a significant change in ways of working, with a large proportion of our staff working from home for at least part of the working week. Our shared experience of the pandemic has now transitioned into the broader considerations regarding the health and sustainability benefits of increased agile/ home working within the organisation, to support our decarbonisation commitments. 5

January 2024

was due to the increased procurement spend during the 2020/21 reporting year, linked to the requirement for additional health care supplies and equipment to support PHW’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. PHW’s overall emissions, excluding procurement, reduced by 48%.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

The report looks at the four key emission areas (procurement, travel, business/ site and homeworking) and identifies key priority areas where we could make a real difference to reduce our carbon emissions, including: • to reduce unnecessary business and commuting travel • to increase the proportion of energy sourced from green/ renewable tariffs • to provide guidance to staff to help reduce homeworking emissions. The supporting infographics highlight the key findings and recommendations for each emission area and includes suggestions on how individuals can help to reduce their carbon emissions.

We’ve also had a focus on capacity building, and secured funding from Welsh Government’s Health & Social Care Climate Emergency Programme in 2022 to develop and deliver a package of training resources across Public Health Wales to educate, motivate and enable action on climate change. Since 2022 over 100 staff have taken part in a range of learning opportunities including PHW’s Board and Executive Team. The sessions have been delivered with support from partner organisations including Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. We are promoting free development opportunities on climate change to support CPD with two hours or less time commitment, which include:

Inspiring and educating to empower change: The Health and Sustainability Hub have also been supporting the roll-out of the Healthy Environment Workshop within Public Health Wales. The online tool helps colleagues work together and take steps to reduce our impact on the environment. It’s easy to use, flexible, and all about taking small actions which will collectively make a big difference to reducing our carbon footprint. The resource is free for all public bodies in Wales to access, and supported teams to create a simple action plan. Our Resources for Sustainable Health e-catalogue details the suite of online resources we have developed to support behaviour change to reduce individual impact on climate change, as part of our Be the Change campaign. Watch our webinar to find out more .

• ESR modules – Achieving Net Zero in Wales, Global Citizenship e-learning resource • Carbon Literacy for Healthcare e-learning module • Healthy Environment Workshop

January 2024

Reducing carbon emissions within laboratories: The Health and Sustainability Hub also secured funding from to undertake a research project to identify single-use plastic and high waste streams items and emissions within PHW’s Microbiology laboratories. We worked with Revolution Zero, WRAP Cymru and Eunomia to highlight opportunities where associated emissions could be reduced in laboratories. Although the project focussed on Public Health Wales Microbiology laboratories, solutions were found that can be replicated across the wider healthcare sector.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Commentary

Sustainable Steps Wales: Green Careers Community Fund

ommunity Fund want to help young people (aged between 16 and 30) in Wales into green careers. By green careers, we mean careers that reduce carbon emissions, restore nature and help us adapt to our changing climate. Examples of green careers could be anything from an administrative assistant for an environmental consultant, to a cook at a zero waste café, or a trainee engineer for a renewable energy company. We’re looking for projects that help young people: • develop their confidence • teach them new skills –

this could include social and technical skills • get work experience and placements which could lead to longer-term opportunities. We want to fund projects that focus on supporting young people with disabilities and/or young people from ethnically minoritised communities. Our aim is to encourage diversity in green careers by giving a helping hand to these underrepresented groups. To get funding, you must want to work in a partnership. We can help you connect with other interested organisations.

Area: Wales Suitable for: Partnerships Funding size: £20,001 up to around £3,000,000. Projects should be around 5 years. Total available: £10 million Application deadline: You must send us an expression of interest form by 5pm on Tuesday 30 April 2024. For further Information please visit the Community Fund website.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Practice

Primary care on a journey to net zero Sian Evans, Consultant in Public Health, Angharad Wooldridge, Senior Public Health Practitioner

he Greener Primary Care Wales Framework and Award Scheme has enabled approximately 200 primary care practices achieve 2373 climate friendly actions over a 2 year period. Led by the Primary Care Division, Public Health Wales, the framework supports community pharmacies, GP surgeries, primary care dental practices and community optometrists to complete actions to reduce their carbon footprint. To find out more about the Scheme watch this animation. The scheme is now moving into its third year marked join us to find out at our webinar on 31 January 2024. Since the scheme was launched in 2022, nearly 200 practices have registered on the Scheme plus collaboration with 99 Boots stores in Wales. This has resulted in 61 practices receiving either a bronze, silver or gold award. The Scheme reports to have reached over 950 primary care members of staff who collectively with the support of Public Health Wales have achieved a tremendous 2373 actions. Putting these practices well on their way to net zero.

JDS Evans in Newport is a community pharmacy to receive a gold award and claims to be one of the few net zero community pharmacies in Wales. Changes made to reduce the pharmacy’s carbon emissions included installing solar panels, using LED lightbulbs, insulating the pharmacy with recycled lagging and replacing the petrol van used for deliveries. His action has been reported in a recent peer review journal and can be seen in a video case here. Examples of action taken by other primary care contractor settings can be found in the 2022 Yearbook. Further case study videos are available illustrating action taken in general practice,

community optometry and community dental practice. The Scheme is designed to support primary care contractors achieve net zero decarbonisation targets by 2030 and 2050 and implement the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan 20212030. More information about the scheme can be found on the Primary Care One website.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

Policy & Research

January 2024

Commentary

Funding Opportunity: Climate change and health National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

he Public Health T Research Programme (PHR) is accepting Stage

ecent research undertaken by Cardiff Metropolitan University and Resilient Analytics has highlighted that homes in Wales are being impacted by Climate Change in a number of ways leading to discomfort and in some cases ill health. These impacts include overheating due to higher temperatures and poorer indoor environmental quality owing to an increase in trapped moisture with wetter weather, which could be impacting health with greater incidences of condensation, damp, and mould growth.

in homes here in Wales. They focus on: • Summertime overheating in highly insulated homes; • Summertime overheating in new build properties; • Summertime relative humidity (moisture build-up) in older properties; and • Maintenance priorities in older properties.

Four ‘fact sheet’ guides and a video have been produced to support health and wellbeing

1 applications to their commissioned work stream for the topic: What are the impacts of local authority led interventions aimed at climate change mitigation and/or adaptation on health and inequalities? To support applications, they are hosting two workshops in February with the opportunity to discuss details of research plans. Further information can be found on the National Institute for Health and Care Research Website.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Research

airbourne, in Gwynedd, is one of many communities facing challenges and risks due to climate change. This stems from the low-lying circumstance of the community, rising sea levels, the viability of maintaining the coastal defence, coupled with increasing precipitation intensity and frequency and rising ground water levels. While genuine hazards, relevant to both Fairbourne and a number of communities throughout the UK exist, there has been no material climate change impact to the community in Fairbourne. It was the earliest and remains the most commonly named as being under threat, resulting in a sustained and amplified climate change impact message via media since 2014. While the local population shows indications of contraction, and an increasing senior age demographic, local health circumstance typically remains considerably better than the national average. The ageing population, however, is a factor to be mindful of, particularly the need to support healthy independent living for longer, improving the number of years spent in good health, and delay, reduce and prevent the need for clinical intervention and care. This demographic is also particularly sensitive to extreme weather events and heat stress, as well as economic impacts that might reduce resilience and the ability to maintain good health and independence.

With funding from the Welsh Government, Cyngor Gwynedd, on behalf of the Fairbourne Moving Forward Project Board, commissioned Savills to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in Spring 2022, which was conducted during the latter part of 2022 and early 2023. The core objective of the HIA was two-fold: to investigate the health and wellbeing impacts of living with climate change in Fairbourne today; and explore community led suggestions and solutions to aid adaptation, build resilience and improve health. The HIA process provided a valuable engagement tool to catalogue concerns, but also explore and discuss potential solutions. Key themes were raised when exploring issues and solutions, with some lending well to informing statutory bodies’ strategic investment, while others would be best owned and delivered through community initiatives. Some fall well beyond the influence of the community or those represented on the Project Board, and are better captured through institutional changes. Already in place, including what was considered a top priority by the community given its effect on the property market 10

and community confidence, was the reassurance regarding the community’ future and that more detailed analysis and modelling were underway. The provision of seasonal shore access has also been actioned, which was successfully trialled in the summer of 2023. When asked if respondents would want to move from Fairbourne, the resounding response was “no”. Responses ranged from ‘this is where we grew up’, ‘it is where our family and friends are’, ‘we enjoy the area as it is’, and ‘it would be impossible to replicate’. The engagement responses also generated a series of recommendations that include physical infrastructure and maintenance that overlap with managing existing hazards and building climate change resilience, but are also linked to, and overlap with, aspects that will improve local community circumstance, help address changing public health needs associated with an ageing demographic, and address aspects that underpin community anxiety and wellbeing.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

When asked if climate change risk adaptation features had been considered on their properties, respondents explained that ‘why would they’, ‘when the picture is unclear’, ‘the value unknown’, ‘the ability to release equity impossible and the cost of living increasing’. This was a particularly important point, as it indicated that unless “climate change blight” is addressed, and a clear plan provided, it will stifle wider efforts or even the ability for individuals and communities to adapt and build resilience. Equally, it may impact on wider factors important to maintaining good health and independent living for longer, with greater impact on adult’s social care, children services and public health.

institutional change, but the value extends well beyond that of Fairbourne, and presents the opportunity to prevent similar impacts throughout Wales and the UK. The final aspect to consider is that Climate change adaptation and resilience cannot be piecemeal, where the systems that govern our lives need to adapt at the same time and pace, or else negate mitigation and possibly compound environmental, economic and social impacts. Many communities will face similar circumstances, and the need to adapt is ever increasing.

While some of the suggestions fit within the strategic funding influence, others extend into community led initiatives that would provide the ability to collaborate with wider partners, aid Fairbourne in securing its own funding, and have greater control to direct climate change adaptation and resilience through community led initiatives. A final tier of initiatives to investigate extends beyond the influence of Cyngor Gwynedd and community led initiatives and extends to the sectors and systems that govern our society. If people need to adapt to climate change, so too do the systems that influence our daily lives. These items will require

January 2024

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Research

Utilising de-identified administrative and health data to inform climate change policy Samantha Turner, Research Officer, Swansea University Richard Fry, Associate Professor, Swansea University

he World Health Organisation has declared climate change as the single biggest health threat facing humanity, with the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Science Report concluding: “The cumulative scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health. Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.”(1) Welsh Government responded to the climate crisis with several key policies, including Net Zero Wales (2021-2025) and the Well-being of Future Generations (2015) Act, aimed at building a ‘stronger, greener, fairer’ Wales over the coming decades. Climate policies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels may pose risks to certain sectors, but also offer an opportunity to advance policies that can transform society for the better. It is crucial over the next ‘decade of action’, Welsh Government has access to high quality data and evidence that can effectively identify and evaluate transition risks and opportunities, and ensure funding is prioritised towards the most cost-effective climate solutions.

ADR Wales (Administrative Data Research Wales), part of the Economic Social Research Council (ESRC) funded ADR UK investment; brings together world-renowned data science experts, leading academics and specialist teams within Welsh Government to produce impactful evidence that can shape future policy decisions in Wales. The partnership maximises the utility of deidentified and secure data to shape public service delivery, with the overall aim to improve the lives of people in Wales. A new Climate Change research theme was introduced in the ADR Wales 2022-26 programme of work, to harness the potential of de-identified administrative and health data within the Secure Anonymised information Linkage (SAIL) databank; to generate evidence that can inform climate change policy and help Wales achieve a fair and inclusive transition to net zero. The Climate Change theme focuses on three pressing issues in Wales: health impacts of extreme weather events; climate change transition risks and opportunities; and associations between biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and health. Projects underway include: • Analysis of linked temperature, maternal health data, and mum’s biological response to heat in the

SAIL databank, to quantify the impact of increasing temperatures and heat waves on maternal and neonatal health in the UK (project funded by Wellcome Trust grant number 228009/Z/23/Z, supported by ADR Wales, part of the UKRI funded ADR UK investment) • Establishing the potential for all children in Wales to travel actively to school, and exploring individual, family and environment factors that influence whether children travel actively to school; to inform future active travel policy and interventions. • Exploring the sociodemographic and health vulnerabilities of high-risk flood areas, and how population profiles have changed over time. Future work will also explore the short and long-term health and well-being risks associated with extreme weather in Wales, to inform future policy development. If you would like any further information or have any questions about this ADR Wales research programme, please email Wales@adruk.org. 1 IPCC, 2022: Summary for Policymakers. 2022.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Policy

Public Health Scotland publishes its first Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Elizabeth Oldcorn, Service Manager – Healthy Environments, Public Health Scotland

ublic Health Scotland (PHS) published its first Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach during Scotland’s Climate Week in September 2023. The Strategic Approach outlines the actions PHS will take from 2023 through to 2026 to become a net-zero, climate-resilient, sustainable organisation that is committed to environmental stewardship. Planetary and human health are inextricably linked. A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. The work will support the climate ambitions of NHS Scotland and our social care partners, while collaborating with partners across the whole system to improve and protect population health and reduce inequalities through a climate lens. A public health approach to climate change will enhance preparedness, increase resilience and protect and promote human and planetary health through aligned actions on climate, population health and equity. The co-benefits of action in improving health, reducing inequalities, and mitigating and adapting to the impact of climate change is recognised, and the scale and complexity of the challenge acknowledged.

strategic approach focuses on actions in three, interrelated areas: • PHS’s responsibilities as a public body • Supporting the delivery of the NHS Scotland climate emergency and sustainability strategy 2022-26 • Population health The four key enablers identified that will support delivery of our strategic approach are: Leadership, Collaboration, Insights and Skills. PHS Areas of focus and enablers

Working with local and national stakeholders, PHS’s

To find out more about the work that is being taken forward under the three areas and the enablers, read the Strategic plan or get in touch.

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

The Grapevine Policy

Knowledge gap regarding HIV transmission and testing in Wales Dr Catherine Sharp, Public Health Researcher, Policy and International Health, WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Wellbeing

The latest Time to Talk Public Health survey from Public Health Wales has shed light on gaps in understanding about HIV transmission and testing. Just 50 per cent of survey respondents were aware that a person on effective treatment living with HIV cannot pass on the virus, despite an overall sense of confidence in knowledge about the virus where 74 per cent of respondents felt they were fairly (60 per cent) or very (14 per cent) knowledgeable about HIV. Encouragingly, 84 per cent of participants agreed (25 per cent strongly agreed) that they felt they could talk to a healthcare professional about doing a HIV test if they wanted to, indicating a positive attitude towards seeking testing and care. This finding emphasises the importance of destigmatising HIV testing and promoting it as a routine aspect of healthcare. When asked about home testing, 52 per cent of respondents were unaware that anyone aged 16 and over in Wales can get a free, confidential HIV home test kit. 43 per cent knew there is a medicine called PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis) which people can take to stop them from getting HIV when taken as prescribed. PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV.

The findings highlight a lack of awareness regarding HIV transmission and testing in Wales.

testing and resources available in Wales, visit https://www. shwales.online/index.html

1,094 panel members responded to The Time to Talk Zoe Couzens, Sexual Health Public Health survey conducted Programme Lead for Public in October 2023 which asked Health Wales, said: residents of Wales (16+ years) their views on a range of health“While it’s encouraging that a related subjects. Unless stated majority agreed they can talk to otherwise, data are weighted a healthcare professional about to reflect national population a HIV test, it’s concerning that demographics by age, sex and some misconceptions about HIV deprivation. transmission persist - despite a majority of respondents feeling If you are interested in joining knowledgeable about the virus. the Time to Talk Public Health This knowledge gap highlights conversation, you can find more the need to continue our efforts information and sign up here. to ensure accurate information reaches the public. “Testing is a normal and essential part of healthcare. Advances in HIV treatments mean that anyone with HIV can live as long and well as anyone else. Timely testing and treatment can play a crucial role in controlling the spread of the virus as effective treatment reduces the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning HIV can’t be passed on to others.” HIV is a virus that damages the immune system and weakens a person’s ability to fight everyday infections and disease. It can be transmitted through sexual contact or infected body fluids. For more information on HIV 14

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Videos Social Value Masterclass: Measuring the value of public health This Masterclass is designed to enhance understanding of the broader holistic value of public health through exploring the concept of Social Value.

Watch Understanding and addressing the public health impact of e-cigarette use in children and young people in Wales What are the risks, harms and issues with vape use amongst children and young people in Wales? And what can – and should – public health and organisations working with young people be doing?

Watch Our Global Health Offer: Public Health Wales’ International Health Strategy Refresh This webinar explored current policy, research and practice in Wales which aims to support children and their families through the cost of living crisis.

Watch View all our videos

Explore our video library on our website

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

News & Resources

Peer-on-peer sexual harassment in education settings: action plan

Public Health Wales voices support for Graduated Driver Licensing

26-01-2024

25-01-2024

Child Poverty Strategy launched

24-01-2024

All News

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women, Employment and Health Inequalities Public Health Wales

National framework for social prescribing Welsh Government

All Resources 16

Protecting Health and Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis

January 2024

Next Issue UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF SMOKING AND E-CIGARETTE USE IN WALES ‘A smoke-free Wales: Our long-term tobacco control strategy’ is Welsh Government’s strategy for tobacco control to 2030. The strategy targets smoking prevalence amongst adults of less than 5% by 2030. Reducing inequalities in smoking, increasing the proportion of young children and young people who have a smoke-free childhood, and ensuring that there is a whole-system approach to a smoke-free Wales. Smoking impacts on the lives of children and young people throughout their childhood and vaping has increased amongst the Welsh population in recent years, with 8% of the adult population reporting they use them currently, and 5% of 11–16-year-olds using vapes at least weekly. For our next bulletin we would welcome articles which cover national, regional or local initiatives, policies or programmes aimed at prevention or improving outcomes for those who are affected by smoking and e-cigarette use in Wales. Would you like to submit your own opinion piece on this topic?

In your opinion piece please think about the following:

In addition to the standard articles we receive for our e-bulletins, and in light of our members’ survey results and other feedback, we would like to include opinion pieces / commentaries that reflect your own views on this topic. Following our recent webinar on this topic if you are interested in submitting your own opinion piece, please use the article submission form below. We might not be able to include all of them, or we might use content from multiple submissions.

• Did you learn anything new? • How would this affect your work/would you do anything differently following this/how does this relate to your work? • Are there any new links you would like to make following the webinar? • Please share general opinions on this topic

Contribute

Please send articles to publichealth.network@ wales.nhs.uk by 16 February 2024.

Our article submission form will provide you with further information on word count, layout of your article and guidance for images.