Welcome to the Annual Report for the National Centre for Population Health & Wellbeing Research 2021-2022, funded by Health and Care Research Wales.
Over the last year, the Centre has prioritised policy-relevant research into responding to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has concentrated on understanding the impact COVID-19 has had on people in Wales, focusing on schools, care homes, vaccination uptake, and implications for those with chronic health conditions. In addition, the Centre has collaborated with other universities across the UK to examine the impact of COVID-19 on those with chronic conditions.
Working during the pandemic has also provided opportunities to develop and evaluate new methods within international collaboration and partnerships. We have also made considerable progress in our Healthy Development and Healthy Working Life programmes and collaboration and capacity-building work.
Healthy Development
Studies have focused on evaluating infants’ first 1000 days of life and the early years. The Born in Wales project has continued to facilitate the understanding of experiences pregnant and new parents undergo; this enables the provision of appropriate help and support to give their child the best start. This information is now being utilised by Midwives throughout Wales, helping to improve parents’ experience, aiming to build a better understanding of any challenges they may face.
Healthy Working Life
We have examined the changing landscape of employment, including working from home, and the impact this new model has on people’s health and well-being.
Capacity-building
Supporting early career researchers and providing internships for individuals hoping to undertake a career in population health has been key. In addition, our understanding of public and patient involvement has been developed for a population health context through conducting a comprehensive systematic review. Consequently, patient representatives are increasingly being integrated into the strategic management and delivery of key objectives to meet the National Standards for public and patient involvement in research.
International collaboration and partnerships
In February 2022, the Centre brought together over 250 delegates from 20 countries at the International Collaboration Conference to facilitate sharing experiences and working together on tackling population health inequalities in Wales and beyond.