Public health: access to information for all Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist

Public Health England We are responsible for: making the public healthier by encouraging discussions, advising government and supporting action by local government, the NHS and other people and organisations supporting the public so they can protect and improve their own health protecting the nation’s health through the national health protection service, and preparing for public health emergencies sharing our information and expertise with local authorities, industry and the NHS, to help them make improvements in the public’s health researching, collecting and analysing data to improve our understanding of health and come up with answers to public health problems We do this through world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and providing specialist public health services. Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

Public Health England: work areas Cancer Mental health Child and maternal health Obesity, diet and physical activity Drugs, alcohol and tobacco End of life care Screening General health profiles Sexual health Health impact assessment Social care, adults and older people Health inequalities Health protection Sustainability and climate change Injuries and violence Learning disabilities Long term conditions Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

Health literacy Functional health literacy Understanding information and instructions in health settings Interactive health literacy Being an ongoing active participant in decisions about your health Critical health literacy Ability to take control of the wider determinants that affect your health However, 43% of people aged 16-65 are unable to effectively understand and use health information. This rises to 61% if numeracy skills are required to aid comprehension. Patient Information Forum, Health literacy: an introduction for people who produce health information. Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

Partnerships and support Cross-sector partnerships are essential in order to cascade health literacy skills, knowledge and resources. An awareness of health-related resources that are available is hugely beneficial to facilitating this. There are a wealth of information resources available, so sometimes it may be difficult to know where to start. Some initial online resources include… Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

Patient.info Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

NHS Choices Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

NHS Choices – specific conditions Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

NHS Choices – living well Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

PHE – OneYou Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

My Health Apps Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

Knowledge for Healthcare – Patient and Public Information Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England

Knowledge & Evidence Specialist – North of England Rachel Gledhill rachel.gledhill@phe.gov.uk Knowledge & Evidence Specialist – North of England Public Health England Protecting and improving the nation’s health Rachel Gledhill – Knowledge & Evidence Specialist, Public Health England