Publications

@article{Widnall2026,

title = {Prevention and postvention guidance relating to self-harm and suicide for UK educational and youth organisations: a systematic review of grey literature},

author = {Emily Widnall, Hannah Robinson, Lingyi Wang, Gregory Hartwell, Rowan Streckfuss Davis, Frances Mathews, Faraz Mughal, Liam Spencer, Sally O’Keeffe, Abigail Russell, Lucy Biddle & Judi Kidger},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-27052-6},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27052-6},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-03-18},

urldate = {2026-03-18},

journal = {BMC Public Health},

keywords = {child health, Education, health, young adults, young people},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kalbus2026,

title = {How did labelling provision on menus for online food delivery change after implementation of England's calorie labelling regulations?},

author = {Alexandra Kalbus, Oana-Adelina Tanasache, Cherry Law, Jean Adams, Penny Breeze, Alan Brennan, Kerry Ann Brown, Steven Cummins, Dalya Marks, Stephen O'Neill, Richard Smith, Laura Cornelsen},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829226000298},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2026.103635},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-03-01},

urldate = {2026-03-01},

journal = {Health & Place},

keywords = {Big Local, Food, Food Policy, Government, health, Local Government},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Er2026,

title = {‘We should be focusing on why we eat, what we eat and how it makes us feel, not how many calories it has’: a photovoice study exploring young people’s views on the out-of-home calorie labelling policy in England and their priorities for changing the local food environment},

author = {Vanessa Er, Camilla Forbes, Dalya Marks, Laura Cornelsen, Penny Breeze, Alexandra Kalbus, Cherry Law, Richard Smith & Kerry Ann Brown },

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-26716-7},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26716-7},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-02-24},

urldate = {2026-02-24},

journal = {BMC Public Health},

keywords = {Food, Food Policy, health, Local authority, Local Government, Policy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Brennan-Tovey2026,

title = {Professional perspectives on barriers to accessing maternity care in England: a qualitative study},

author = {Kerry Brennan-Tovey, Kausiki Sarma, Dafni Lima, Abimbola Ayorinde, Heather Brown, Oluwaseun B Esan, David Gardiner, Ruth Kipping, Nicola Heslehurst, Maria Raisa Jessica Aquino & Judith Rankin },

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-026-08745-7},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12884-026-08745-7},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-02-05},

urldate = {2026-02-05},

journal = {BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth},

keywords = {health, Health inequalities, Inequalities, Pregnancy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ullian2026b,

title = {Beyond diet and health: scoping umbrella review of the wider impact and influence of ultra-processed foods},

author = {Karen Ullian, Sarah Nájera Espinosa, Oliver Huse, Steven Cummins, Antonieta Medina-Lara & Laura Cornelsen},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-26113-6},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-26113-6},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-08},

urldate = {2026-01-08},

journal = {BMC Public Health},

keywords = {Diet, dietary behaviours, Food, Food outlet, Food Policy, health},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fairbrother2025,

title = {Temporal uncertainty, spatial stressors and disrupted connections: temporary accommodation and family life, health and wellbeing},

author = {Hannah Fairbrother, Nicholas Woodrow, Eleanor Holding, Peter Kraftl, Mary Crowder, Elizabeth Goyder, Kiya Hurley, Sarah Rodgers and Anne-Marie Burn},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266655812500106X},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2025.100341},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-30},

urldate = {2025-12-30},

journal = {Wellbeing, Space and Society},

keywords = {Family, health, Housing, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Arnold2025,

title = {Over one in four UK children face food insecurity: what can paediatricians do?},

author = {Rosalyn Arnold, Rosalie Cattermole, David Taylor-Robinson, Dougal Hargreaves, Rachel Loopstra},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751722225001830},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paed.2025.11.006},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-10},

urldate = {2025-12-10},

journal = {Paediatrics and Child Health },

keywords = {child health, Child welfare, Children, Food, Food Policy, health, Health inequalities, Inequalities},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parkes2025,

title = {Do the Drivers of Food Choice Differ Between Healthier and Less Healthy Foods? A Systematic Review of Reviews},

author = {Bethany Parkes, Nia Morrish, Emma Frew, Laura Cornelsen, Richard Smith and Antonieta Medina-Lara},

url = {https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf202/8320501?login=false},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf202},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-11-10},

urldate = {2025-11-10},

journal = {Nutrition Reviews},

keywords = {adults, Food, Food Policy, health},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kalbus2025,

title = {Calorie labelling regulations in England: menu change not behaviour change?},

author = {Alexandra Kalbus and Chiara Rinaldi},

url = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/calorie-labelling-regulations-in-england-menu-change-not-behaviour-change/B49E7A4D5DCB2ECB35FDFCC0696DA483},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980025100682},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-08-12},

urldate = {2025-08-12},

journal = {Public Health Nutrition },

keywords = {Food, Food Policy, Government, health, Health economics, health improvement},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Frennesson2025,

title = {Prenatal alcohol exposure before pregnancy awareness: a thematic analysis of online forum comments and misinformation},

author = {Nessie Felicia Frennesson, Youssouf Merouani, Julie Barnett, Angela Attwood, Luisa Zuccolo and Cheryl McQuire},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1525004/full},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1525004},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-02-19},

urldate = {2025-02-19},

journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},

keywords = {Alcohol, alcohol consumption, Alcohol warnings, health, Health Policy, Pregnancy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Morris2024,

title = {Estimating the effect of transitioning to a strength-based alcohol tax system on alcohol consumption and health outcomes: a modelling study of tax reform in England},

author = {Damon Morris, Colin Angus, Abigail K Stevely, Robert Pryce, Luke Wilson, Madeleine Henney, Prof Petra S Meier, Prof John Holmes and Prof Alan Brennan},

url = {https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00191-9/fulltext},

doi = {https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00191-9/fulltext},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-09-16},

urldate = {2024-09-16},

journal = {The Lancet Public Health},

keywords = {Alcohol, alcohol consumption, Alcohol pricing, health, Health economics, health improvement, Taxation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walsh2024,

title = {How to maintain trustworthiness when doctors act as policy advocates},

author = {Sebastian Walsh, David Taylor-Robinson, W-H Duncan, David Spiegelhalter and Carol Brayne},

url = {https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2024-079929#:~:text=To%20be%20trustworthy%20advocates%2C%20doctors,and%20commercial%20conflicts%20of%20interest.},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-079929 },

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-08-13},

journal = {The BMJ },

keywords = {health, Health Policy, Policy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Skirrow2024,

title = {The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK parents’ attitudes towards routine childhood vaccines: A mixed-methods study},

author = {Helen Skirrow, Celine Lewis, Habiba Haque, Lena Choundary-Salter, Kim Foley, Elizabeth Whittaker, Ceire Costelloe, Helen Bedford, Sonia Saxena },

url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0306484},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306484},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-08-13},

journal = {PLOS One },

keywords = {child health, Children, COVID-19, health},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Khalaf2024,

title = {Causal evidence of the association between green and blue spaces (GBS) and maternal and neonatal health: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol},

author = {Rukun K.S. Khalaf, Selin Akaraci, Faye D. Baldwin, Rebecca S. Geary, Ruwanthi Kolamunnage-Dona, Ruth F. Hunter and Sarah E. Rodgers},

url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/8/e082413},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082413},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-08-07},

urldate = {2024-08-07},

journal = {BMJ Open},

keywords = {child health, Climate Change, health, Pregnancy, Urban planning},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Tompson2024,

title = {Assessment and Qualitative Comparative Analysis of English Local Authority Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies to Improve Health under Austerity Conditions, 2013–2017},

author = {Alice Tompson, Matt Egan, Elizabeth McGill, Chiara Rinaldi, Rebecca Mead, Paula Holland, Alexandros Alexiou, Jennie Popay and Monique Lhussier},

url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4764325},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4764325},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-07-25},

urldate = {2024-07-25},

journal = {Health & Social Care in the Community },

keywords = {health, Health Policy, Local authority, Policy, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Stevely2024,

title = {A latent class analysis of international change and continuity in adolescent health and wellbeing: A repeat cross-sectional study},

author = {Abigail K. Stevely, Laura A. Gray, Hannah Fairbrother, Laura Fenton, Madeleine Henney, Inge Kersbergen and John Holmes

},

url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0305124},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305124},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-06-11},

journal = {PLOS ONE},

keywords = {adolescents, Alcohol, alcohol consumption, health, Health inequalities, Inequalities, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Martínez-Jiménez2024,

title = {Socioeconomic deprivation, health and healthcare utilisation among millennials},

author = {Mario Martínez-Jiménez, Bruce Hollingsworth and Eugenio Zucchelli,},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953624004052?via%3Dihub},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116961},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-11},

journal = {Social Science & Medicine },

keywords = {health, Healthcare, Healthcare equity, Inequalities, socio-economics},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mead2024,

title = {Does better than expected life expectancy in areas of disadvantage indicate health resilience? Stakeholder perspectives and possible explanations},

author = {Rebecca Mead, Chiara Rinaldi, Elizabeth McGill, Matt Egan, Jennie Popay, Greg Hartwell, Konstantinos Daras, Annabelle Edwards and Monique Lhussier },

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829224000704},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103242},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-04-30},

journal = {Elsevier Health & Place},

keywords = {health, Health inequalities, Inequalities, life expectancy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lee2024,

title = {Addressing health inequalities in times of austerity: implementation of a place-based approach in multitiered local government},

author = {C Lee, M Buswell, J Coker, S Buckner, A Cowan, M Lhussier},

url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17579139241241194},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/17579139241241194},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-04-26},

journal = {Perspectives in Public Health},

keywords = {health, Health inequalities, Inequalities, Local Government},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Breeze2024,

title = {Relationships between sodium, fats and carbohydrates on blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c: an umbrella review of systematic reviews},

author = {Penny Breeze, Katie Sworn, Ellen McGrane, Sarah Abraham and Anna Cantrell},

url = {https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/7/1/191},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000666},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-03-21},

urldate = {2024-03-21},

journal = {BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health},

keywords = {Blood Pressure, Diet, health, Nutrition},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dawes2024,

title = {‘You can change your life through sports’—physical activity interventions to improve the health and well-being of adults experiencing homelessness: a mixed-methods systematic review },

author = {Jo Dawes, Raphael Rogans-Watson, Julie Broderick},

url = {https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2024/02/27/bjsports-2023-107562},

doi = {doi:10.1136/bjsports-2023-107562},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-02-27},

journal = {British Journal of Sports Medicine},

keywords = {adults, health, homelessness, Mental Health, Physical activity, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Adjei2024b,

title = {Impact of poverty and adversity on perceived family support in adolescence: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study},

author = {Nicholas Kofi Adjei, Kenisha Russell Jonsson, Viviane S Straatmann, Gabriella Melis, Ruth McGovern, Eileen Kaner, Ingrid Wolfe, David C Taylor-Robinson and the ORACLE consortium},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00787-024-02389-8},

doi = {DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02389-8},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-02-14},

journal = {European Child Adolescent Psychiatry},

keywords = {health, Inequalities, poverty, young adults, young people},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Popay2023b,

title = {Investigating health and social outcomes of the Big Local community empowerment initiative in England: a mixed method evaluation},

author = {Jennie Popay, Emma Halliday, Rebecca Mead, Anne Townsend, Nasima Akhter, Clare Bambra, Ben Barr, Rachel Anderson de Cuevas, Konstantinos Daras, Matt Egan, Katja Gravenhorst, Katharina Janke, Adetayo Safiriyu Kasim, Victoria McGowan, Ruth Ponsford, Joanna Reynolds and Margaret Whitehead},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37929801/},

doi = {DOI: 10.3310/GRMA6711},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-10-01},

journal = {Public Health Research (Southampton)},

keywords = {Communities, health, Health promotion},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Chamberlain2023,

title = {Health effects of low emission and congestion charging zones: a systematic review},

author = {Rosemary C Chamberlain, Daniela Fecht, Bethan Davies, Anthony A Laverty},

url = {https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00120-2/fulltext},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00120-2},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-06-29},

journal = {The Lancet Public Health},

keywords = {Environment, health, Health Policy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Albers2022,

title = {Study protocol for First Dental Steps Intervention: feasibility study of a health visitor led infant oral health improvement programme},

author = {Patricia N Albers, Joanna G Williams, Sarab El-Yousfi, Zoe Marshman, Reena Patel, Rebecca Kandiyali, Katie Breheny, Frank de Vocht, Chris Metcalfe, Robert Witton and Ruth Kipping},

url = {https://pilotfeasibilitystudies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40814-022-01195-w},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01195-w},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-12-03},

journal = {BMC Pilot and Feasibility Studies },

keywords = {child health, Children, health, oral health},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Thomas2022,

title = {The health, cost and equity impacts of restrictions on the advertisement of high fat, salt and sugar products across the transport for London network: a health economic modelling study},

author = {Chloe Thomas, Penny Breeze, Steven Cummins, Laura Cornelsen, Amy Yau and Alan Brennan},

url = {https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-022-01331-y#citeas},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01331-y},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-27},

journal = {International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity},

keywords = {Advertising, Equity, Food, health},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fairbrother2022,

title = {'It All Kind of Links Really': Young People's Perspectives on the Relationship between Socioeconomic Circumstances and Health},

author = {Hannah Fairbrother, Nicholas Woodrow, Mary Crowder, Eleanor Holding, Naomi Griffin, Vanessa Er, Caroline Dodd-Reynolds, Matt Egan, Karen Lock, Steph Scott, Carolyn Summerbell, Rachael McKeown, Emma Rigby, Phillippa Kyle and Elizabeth Goyder},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35329365/},

doi = {DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063679},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-03-19},

journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health},

keywords = {health, socio-economics, young people},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{McGowan2021d,

title = {Collective control, social cohesion and health and well-being: baseline survey results from the communities in control study in England},

author = {V J McGowan, N Akhter, E Halliday, J Popay, A Kasim and C Bambra},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33423066/},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa227},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-11},

journal = {Journal of Public Health},

keywords = {adults, Communities, health, Mental Health, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cost‐effectiveness of population‐based, community, workplace and individual policies for diabetes prevention in the UK},

author = {P. R. Breeze, C. Thomas, H. Squires, A. Brennan, C. Greaves, P. Diggle, E. Brunner, A. Tabak, L. Preston, J. Chilcott.},

doi = {10.1111/dme.13349 },

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-10},

journal = {Diabetic Medicine},

abstract = {Aim

To analyse the cost‐effectiveness of different interventions for Type 2 diabetes prevention within a common framework.



Methods

A micro‐simulation model was developed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of a range of diabetes prevention interventions including: (1) soft drinks taxation; (2) retail policy in socially deprived areas; (3) workplace intervention; (4) community‐based intervention; and (5) screening and intensive lifestyle intervention in individuals with high diabetes risk. Within the model, individuals follow metabolic trajectories (for BMI, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and glycaemia); individuals may develop diabetes, and some may exhibit complications of diabetes and related disorders, including cardiovascular disease, and eventually die. Lifetime healthcare costs, employment costs and quality‐adjusted life‐years are collected for each person.



Results

All interventions generate more life‐years and lifetime quality‐adjusted life‐years and reduce healthcare spending compared with doing nothing. Screening and intensive lifestyle intervention generates greatest lifetime net benefit (£37) but is costly to implement. In comparison, soft drinks taxation or retail policy generate lower net benefit (£11 and £11) but are cost‐saving in a shorter time period, preferentially benefit individuals from deprived backgrounds and reduce employer costs.



Conclusion

The model enables a wide range of diabetes prevention interventions to be evaluated according to cost‐effectiveness, employment and equity impacts over the short and long term, allowing decision‐makers to prioritize policies that maximize the expected benefits, as well as fulfilling other policy targets, such as addressing social inequalities.},

keywords = {Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Economic modelling, Exercise, health, Health economics, Policy, Screening},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Clarifying the relationship between respect, social inclusion and health in older people: a systematic review of intervention impacts},

author = {Sara Ronzi, Daniel Pope, Lois Orton, Nicole Valtorta and Nigel Bruce. },

url = {http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42014010107},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-09-30},

journal = {PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews },

keywords = {Ageing, health, Older People, Social integration, systematic review},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {‘Missing out’: Reflections on the positioning of ethnographic research within an evaluative framing},

author = {Joanna Reynolds},

doi = {10.1177/1466138116664106},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-08-17},

journal = {Ethnography},

abstract = {Contemporary approaches to evaluating ‘complex’ social and health interventions are opening up spaces for methodologies attuned to examining contextual complexities, such as ethnography. Yet the alignment of the two agendas – evaluative and ethnographic – is not necessarily comfortable in practice. I reflect on experiences of conducting ethnographic research alongside a public health evaluation of a community-based initiative in the UK, using the lens of ‘missing out’ to examine intersections between my own ethnographic concerns and those of the communities under study. I examine potential opportunities posed by the discomfort of ‘missing out’, particularly for identifying the processes and spaces of inclusion and exclusion that contributed both to my ethnographic experiences and to the realities of the communities engaging with the initiative. This reveals productive possibilities for a focus on ‘missing out’ as a form of relating for evaluations of the impacts of such initiatives on health and social inequalities.},

keywords = {Communities, Empowerment, health, Inequalities, Inequality, Social integration},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Participation in environmental enhancement and conservation activities for health and well‐being in adults: a review of quantitative and qualitative evidence},

author = {Kerryn Husk, Rebecca Lovell, Chris Cooper, Will Stahl‐Timmins, Ruth Garside. },

doi = {10.1002/14651858.CD010351.pub2},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-05-21},

journal = {Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews},

abstract = {Background

There is growing research and policy interest in the potential for using the natural environment to enhance human health and well‐being. This resource may be underused as a health promotion tool to address the increasing burden of common health problems such as increased chronic diseases and mental health concerns. Outdoor environmental enhancement and conservation activities (EECA) (for instance unpaid litter picking, tree planting or path maintenance) offer opportunities for physical activity alongside greater connectedness with local environments, enhanced social connections within communities and improved self‐esteem through activities that improve the locality which may, in turn, further improve well‐being.



Objectives

To assess the health and well‐being impacts on adults following participation in environmental enhancement and conservation activities.



Search methods

We contacted or searched the websites of more than 250 EECA organisations to identify grey literature. Resource limitations meant the majority of the websites were from UK, USA, Canada and Australia. We searched the following databases (initially in October 2012, updated October 2014, except CAB Direct, OpenGrey, SPORTDiscus, and TRIP Database), using a search strategy developed with our project advisory groups (predominantly leaders of EECA‐type activities and methodological experts): ASSIA; BIOSIS; British Education Index; British Nursing Index; CAB Abstracts; Campbell Collaboration; Cochrane Public Health Specialized Register; DOPHER; EMBASE; ERIC; Global Health; GreenFILE; HMIC; MEDLINE‐in‐Process; MEDLINE; OpenGrey; PsychINFO; Social Policy and Practice; SPORTDiscus; TRoPHI; Social Services Abstracts; Sociological Abstracts; The Cochrane Library; TRIP database; and Web of Science. Citation and related article chasing was used. Searches were limited to studies in English published after 1990.



Selection criteria

Two review authors independently screened studies. Included studies examined the impact of EECA on adult health and well‐being. Eligible interventions needed to include each of the following: intended to improve the outdoor natural or built environment at either a local or wider level; took place in urban or rural locations in any country; involved active participation; and were NOT experienced through paid employment.



We included quantitative and qualitative research. Includable quantitative study designs were: randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, quasi‐RCTs, cluster quasi‐RCTs, controlled before‐and‐after studies, interrupted‐time‐series, cohort studies (prospective or retrospective), case‐control studies and uncontrolled before‐and‐after studies (uBA). We included qualitative research if it used recognised qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.



Data collection and analysis

One reviewer extracted data, and another reviewer checked the data. Two review authors independently appraised study quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool (for quantitative studies) or Wallace criteria (for qualitative studies). Heterogeneity of outcome measures and poor reporting of intervention specifics prevented meta‐analysis so we synthesised the results narratively. We synthesised qualitative research findings using thematic analysis.



Main results

Database searches identified 21,420 records, with 21,304 excluded at title/abstract. Grey literature searches identified 211 records. We screened 327 full‐text articles from which we included 21 studies (reported in 28 publications): two case‐studies (which were not included in the synthesis due to inadequate robustness), one case‐control, one retrospective cohort, five uBA, three mixed‐method (uBA, qualitative), and nine qualitative studies. The 19 studies included in the synthesis detailed the impacts to a total of 3,603 participants: 647 from quantitative intervention studies and 2630 from a retrospective cohort study; and 326 from qualitative studies (one not reporting sample size).



Included studies shared the key elements of EECA defined above, but the range of activities varied considerably. Quantitative evaluation methods were heterogeneous. The designs or reporting of quantitative studies, or both, were rated as ‘weak’ quality with high risk of bias due to one or more of the following: inadequate study design, intervention detail, participant selection, outcome reporting and blinding.



Participants’ characteristics were poorly reported; eight studies did not report gender or age and none reported socio‐economic status. Three quantitative studies reported that participants were referred through health or social services, or due to mental ill health (five quantitative studies), however participants' engagement routes were often not clear.



Whilst the majority of quantitative studies (n = 8) reported no effect on one or more outcomes, positive effects were reported in six quantitative studies relating to short‐term physiological, mental/emotional health, and quality‐of‐life outcomes. Negative effects were reported in two quantitative studies; one study reported higher levels of anxiety amongst participants, another reported increased mental health stress.



The design or reporting, or both, of the qualitative studies was rated as good in three studies or poor in nine; mainly due to missing detail about participants, methods and interventions. Included qualitative evidence provided rich data about the experience of participation. Thematic analysis identified eight themes supported by at least one good quality study, regarding participants' positive experiences and related to personal/social identity, physical activity, developing knowledge, spirituality, benefits of place, personal achievement, psychological benefits and social contact. There was one report of negative experiences.



Authors' conclusions

There is little quantitative evidence of positive or negative health and well‐being benefits from participating in EECA. However, the qualitative research showed high levels of perceived benefit among participants. Quantitative evidence resulted from study designs with high risk of bias, qualitative evidence lacked reporting detail. The majority of included studies were programme evaluations, conducted internally or funded by the provider.



The conceptual framework illustrates the range of interlinked mechanisms through which people believe they potentially achieve health and well‐being benefits, such as opportunities for social contact. It also considers potential moderators and mediators of effect.



One main finding of the review is the inherent difficulty associated with generating robust evidence of effectiveness for complex interventions. We developed the conceptual framework to illustrate how people believed they benefited. Investigating such mechanisms in a subsequent theory‐led review might be one way of examining evidence of effect for these activities.



The conceptual framework needs further refinement through linked reviews and more reliable evidence. Future research should use more robust study designs and report key intervention and participant detail.},

keywords = {Environment, health, Physical activity, systematic review, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Implementing health promotion programmes in schools: a realist systematic review of research and experience in the United Kingdom},

author = {M. Pearson, R. Chilton, K. Wyatt, C. Abraham, T. Ford, HB Woods, R. Anderson.},

doi = {10.1186/s13012-015-0338-6},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-10-28},

journal = {Implementation Science},

abstract = {Background

Schools have long been viewed as a good setting in which to encourage healthy lifestyles amongst children, and schools in many countries aspire to more comprehensive, integrated approaches to health promotion. Recent reviews have identified evidence of the effects of school health promotion on children’s and young people’s health. However, understanding of how such programmes can be implemented in schools is more limited.



Methods

We conducted a realist review to identify the conditions and actions which lead to the successful implementation of health promotion programmes in schools. We used the international literature to develop programme theories which were then tested using evaluations of school health promotion programmes conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). Iterative searching and screening was conducted to identify sources and clear criteria applied for appraisal of included sources. A review advisory group comprising educational and public health practitioners, commissioners, and academics was established at the outset.



Results

In consultation with the review advisory group, we developed four programme theories (preparing for implementation, initial implementation, embedding into routine practice, adaptation and evolution); these were then refined using the UK evaluations in the review. This enabled us to identify transferable mechanisms and enabling and constraining contexts and investigate how the operation of mechanisms differed in different contexts. We also identified steps that should be taken at a senior level in relation to preparing for implementation (which revolved around negotiation about programme delivery) and initial implementation (which centred on facilitation, support, and reciprocity—the latter for both programme deliverers and pupils). However, the depth and rigour of evidence concerning embedding into routine practice and adaptation and evolution was limited.



Conclusions

Our findings provide guidance for the design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion in schools and identify the areas where further research is needed.},

keywords = {Children, Education, health, Health promotion, school, young people},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Understanding how environmental enhancement and conservation activities may benefit health and wellbeing: a systematic review},

author = {Rebecca Lovell, Kerryn Husk, Chris Cooper, Will Stahl-Timmins and Ruth Garside. },

doi = {10.1186/s12889-015-2214-3},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-09-07},

journal = {BMC Public Health },

abstract = {Background

Action taken to enhance or conserve outdoor environments may benefit health and wellbeing through the process of participation but also through improving the environment. There is interest, amongst both health and environmental organisations, in using such activities as health promotion interventions.



The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the health and wellbeing impacts of participation in environmental enhancement and conservation activities and to understand how these activities may be beneficial, to whom and in what circumstances or contexts.



Methods

A theory-led mixed-method systematic review was used to assess evidence of effect and to identify pathways to change (protocol: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010351/full). Due to the multi-disciplinary, dispersed and disparate body of evidence an extensive multi-stage search strategy was devised and undertaken. Twenty-seven databases and multiple sources of grey literature were searched and over 200 relevant organisations were contacted. The heterogenous evidence was synthesised using a narrative approach and a conceptual model was developed to illustrate the mechanisms of effect. Due to the limited nature of the evidence additional higher order evidence was sought to assess the plausibility of the proposed mechanisms of effect through which health and wellbeing may accrue.



Results

The majority of the quantitative evidence (13 studies; all poor quality and lower-order study designs) was inconclusive, though a small number of positive and negative associations were observed. The qualitative evidence (13 studies; 10 poor quality, 3 good) indicated that the activities were perceived to have value to health and wellbeing through a number of key mechanisms; including exposure to natural environments, achievement, enjoyment and social contact. Additional high level evidence indicated that these pathways were plausible.



Conclusions

Despite interest in the use of environmental enhancement activities as a health intervention there is currently little direct evidence of effect, this is primarily due to a lack of robust study designs. Further rigorous research is needed to understand the potential of the activities to benefit health and environment.},

keywords = {behaviour, Conservation activities, health, Social contact, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Older men and social activity: a scoping review of Men's Sheds and other gendered interventions},

author = {Christine Milligan, David Neary, Sheila Payne, Barbara Hanratty, Pamela Irwin and Christopher Dowrick.},

doi = {10.1017/S0144686X14001524},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-03-05},

journal = {Ageing & Society},

volume = {36},

number = {5},

pages = {895-923},

abstract = {Finding ways of improving the health and wellbeing of older men is an important challenge for public health. This review aimed to assess evidence for the effects of Men's Sheds and other gendered social activities on the health and wellbeing of older men, and to consider their effective components and theoretical frameworks. A scoping review using standardised search criteria and terms identified 31 relevant papers of sufficient quality for inclusion. Analysis was informed by guidance on interpretative and narrative synthesis and a quality assessment tool designed for reviewing disparate data from different disciplines and research paradigms applied. The review found some limited evidence that Men's Sheds and other gendered social activities may have impact on the mental health and wellbeing of older men, but little evidence of the impact on physical health. Qualitative data provided valuable insights into how and why complex psycho-social activities can affect participants, but there was a lack of longitudinal evidence drawing on validated health and wellbeing measures. Key components of successful interventions included accessibility, range of activities, local support and skilled co-ordination. A variety of theoretical frameworks were employed. As yet, there is no conclusive evidence that Men's Sheds and other gendered interventions confer health and wellbeing benefits on older men. Studies in this field to date are few and of variable quality. Larger and more robust mixed-methods studies, including randomised designs, are needed.},

keywords = {Ageing, health, Interventions, Men, Wellbeing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}