Public Health – Lancashire & South Cumbria Library Blog

A healthier future for reducing alcohol harm in the UK

The Institute of Alcohol Studies has published a new vision for tackling alcohol harm across the country. Created by a wide group of experts in policy, research and treatment, the document sets out a clear and hopeful path for long term progress.

The vision looks at how the UK can create safer communities, strengthen prevention, improve treatment pathways, and reduce the serious health impacts linked to alcohol use. It brings together evidence, lived experience and practical recommendations that can help guide national and local action in the years ahead.

For anyone working in public health, mental health, community safety or addiction services, the report offers valuable insight into the changes that could support a healthier and more resilient future.

Government launches new neighbourhood health services

The government has announced new neighbourhood health services in 43 communities across England, supported by £10 million funding.

These services will bring together GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social care staff, and voluntary organisations to provide joined-up support closer to where people live.

For mental health, this means earlier help, less time waiting, and care that looks at the whole person – not just individual conditions. By connecting physical and mental health support, the aim is to reduce avoidable hospital visits and make it easier for people to get the help they need in their own communities.

NHS Launches Official WhatsApp Channel

NHS England has launched a new WhatsApp Channel to share trusted health information directly with the public. The channel will feature short, visual messages covering public health campaigns such as flu and COVID-19, seasonal advice, NHS updates, and myth-busting content.

The channel also encourages users to share posts with family and friends through the app. To join, simply search for ‘NHS’ under the Updates tab in WhatsApp.

Creative Arts for Dementia – Insights from NIHR ARCs Webinar

A recent NIHR ARCs webinar on 9 July 2025 highlighted the impact of creative arts on dementia care. Over three concise 10-minute talks, researchers covered music therapy, singing and dancing interventions, and how creative arts can involve people living with dementia in research. The event was chaired by Dr Stephen Lim (ARC Wessex) and featured Dr Ming-Hung Hsu (East of England), Dr Megan Polden (North West Coast), and Prof Linda Clare (South West Peninsula)

Collaborative Care for Depression – What Works Best?

A new National Elf Service article explores which parts of collaborative care make the biggest difference for people with depression.

Research shows that while collaborative care involves teamwork, structured plans, and regular follow-up, the most effective elements are manual-based psychotherapy and involving family or carers.

Despite strong evidence, collaborative care is still underused in practice, often due to limited resources and uncertainty about what really works. This study highlights where efforts should be focused to improve outcomes for patients.

Cochrane Review: Music-Based Interventions for Dementia Show Modest Benefits

A recent Cochrane review evaluated the effects of music-based therapeutic interventions on individuals with dementia. Analysing data from 30 studies involving 1,720 participants, the review found that, compared to usual care, music-based interventions probably lead to slight improvements in depressive symptoms and may reduce overall behavioural problems. However, evidence regarding benefits for agitation, emotional well-being, cognition, and long-term effects remains limited or uncertain.

These findings suggest that while music therapy can offer some benefits for people with dementia, further high-quality research is needed to fully understand its impact.

Read the full review: Cochrane Library – Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions for People with Dementia

New ONS Report Reveals Elevated Self-Harm and Suicide Rates Among LGB+ Adults

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released a ground breaking analysis linking 2021 Census data with NHS records, revealing that adults identifying as LGB+ in England and Wales face significantly higher rates of self-harm and suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

Key Findings:

The age-standardised rate of intentional self-harm for LGB+ individuals was 1,508.9 per 100,000 people between March 2021 and December 2023, compared to 598.4 per 100,000 for heterosexual individuals.
The suicide rate among LGB+ adults stood at 50.3 per 100,000 people, more than double the rate of 23.1 per 100,000 observed in heterosexual adults.
Bisexual individuals exhibited the highest self-harm rates within the LGB+ group, at 1,669.5 per 100,000 people.
The risk of self-harm was notably higher among LGB+ females, with a rate 2.8 times greater than that of heterosexual females.
Young adults aged 16 to 24 identifying as LGB+ had a self-harm rate 2.8 times higher than their heterosexual peers.

These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health support and suicide prevention strategies within the LGB+ community.

Read the full report: ONS – Self-harm and suicide by sexual orientation, England and Wales

WHO Report Calls for Urgent Action on Health Inequities

The World Health Organization’s 2025 World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity highlights the persistent health disparities driven by factors like income, education, housing, and discrimination. The report emphasizes that without targeted, equity-focused policies, these gaps will continue to widen.

It urges governments and institutions to implement structural changes that address the root causes of health inequities, advocating for cross-sector collaboration and inclusive policy-making.

Read the full report: WHO – World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity

Making Every Contact Count May 2025

The most recent Make Every Contact count public heath bulletin looking at latest evidence around smoking cessation, alcohol, healthy weight, healthy eating and physical exercise is now available. The bulletin is produced by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT Library staff. If you cannot access any of the articles included in the bulletin please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Cessation May 2025 Download

Alcohol

Alcohol May 2025 Download

Healthy Weight & Healthy Eating

Healthy Weight Healthy Eating May 2025 Download

Physical Activity

Alcohol May 2025 Download

The Kings Fund: Public Satisfaction with NHS and Social Care Hits Record Lows

The latest British Social Attitudes survey reveals that public satisfaction with both the NHS and social care services in the UK has reached unprecedented lows.

NHS Satisfaction: Only 21% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the NHS, marking the lowest level since the survey began in 1983. Key concerns include long waiting times, staffing shortages, and difficulties accessing services like A&E and dentistry.
Social Care Satisfaction: Satisfaction with social care services remains at a mere 13%, the lowest ever recorded. Major reasons for dissatisfaction include inadequate pay and working conditions for care workers, insufficient support for unpaid carers, and many individuals not receiving the care they need.

These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and increased investment in both sectors to address the growing concerns of the public.

Read the full report: The King’s Fund