Fuse research briefs
Fuse is developing a collection of research briefs to tell the story of, and showcase the unique high quality research undertaken in the Centre. In two-sides of A4 these fusebriefs aim to condense findings from published or on-going work and extract key messages or make recommendations for practice (if any).
If you would like to use this product to help your research reach a wider audience, or you would like to suggest a topic area relating to the public health research carried out by Fuse, please contact Mark Welford (m.welford@tees.ac.uk).
Templates and guidance are available to contributors upon request.
Evidence shows wider range of risks associated with energy drinks in children PDF 414Kb
In the most comprehensive study of its kind, researchers from Fuse found that drinking energy drinks is associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children and young people, including anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The study's findings build on earlier research but highlight more risks associated with energy drinks, which typically contain high levels of caffeine and sugar.
Food insecurity in adults living with Severe Mental Illness PDF 579Kb
This systematic review (a summary of existing research) aimed to explore food insecurity in adults with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) living in high and upper middle-income countries. It found that adults with SMI were over three times more likely to have food insecurity than those without it. Research undertaken by experts from Fuse based at Teesside University, and the University of New South Wales.
Can hospital-located fruit and vegetable stalls help staff to eat healthier? PDF 474Kb
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust introduced two fruit and vegetable stalls at Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in 2019 and 2020, with the aim of providing access to better nutrition within the hospitals. In 2021, the Trust’s Head of Nutrition and Dietetics and Senior Nurse for Nutrition and Hydration approached Fuse to evaluate the impact of the stalls on the healthy eating behaviours of Trust staff. The findings show an increase in healthy eating habits among staff, both at work and at home, and even for long-stay patients and their families.
'Making Every Contact Count’ across the North East & Cumbria PDF 474Kb
This project explores the implementation and delivery of the ‘Making Every Contact Count’ (MECC) programme across the North East and Cumbria through comparison of implementation, delivery models, service reach and system-level relationships across the region. The study was led by Dr Angela Rodrigues, research lead from Fuse, the Centre for Translational Researchin Public Health.
Co-locating mental health services in community spaces targets inequalities PDF 1,473Kb
Co-location models deliver public mental health support alongside other services. These non-clinical interventions, for example welfare advice, are traditionally offered within health settings such as GP surgeries, but increasingly also in community spaces. Here, Fuse researchers summarise how community co-location impacts public mental health and develop recommendations for scaling up and sustainability.
Mobilising arts and creativity to improve health and wellbeing PDF 1,455Kb
There is growing interest in the potential of arts and creativity to improve people’s health and wellbeing, particularly those facing significant inequalities. This study led by Fuse researchers at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities was part of an evaluation of Well Newcastle Gateshead and explored how engaging in arts and creative activities affected the communities involved.
Measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour of pre-school aged children PDF 1,311Kb
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are linked to the health and development of young children. Accurate measurement of these behaviours underpins research and practice in this area. Here we present key findings from our review examining the measurement tools used to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour of pre-school children (aged 3-7 years).
The role of school food policy in shaping young people’s diets PDF 1,359Kb
A systematic review (a summary of existing research) by Fuse experts at Teesside University aimed to explore the effectiveness of school-based nutrition interventions and the perceptions of young people experiencing a nutrition focused intervention or change in school food policy. It affirms the importance of school in shaping healthy eating practices and their role in addressing the inequalities gap for young people’s health.
How do socioeconomic inequalities affect health in pregnancy? PDF 1,234Kb
Pregnancy is a critical time to improve the life chances of future generations. In this review, Fuse researchers at Newcastle University and Public Health Wales set out to understand the extent that an individual’s socioeconomic status (often measured as education, income or occupation) relates to problems in pregnancy, across the UK and Ireland.
Introducing smokefree policies into hospital mental health services PDF 991Kb
Implementing smokefree policies in mental health services is recommended in national guidance to improve physical and mental health among people with psychiatric problems. However, changing an entrenched smoking culture is challenging. Fuse researchers identified active ingredients for successfully supporting mental health service users to stop smoking.
10 principles to translate national physical activity policy into local practice PDF 1,039Kb
Translating national physical activity policy into local practice is challenging. Here we present 10 guiding principles to support transferable knowledge exchange activities for implementing national policy. These are based on input and experiences of practitioners, researchers and policy makers from North East England collected during workshops run by the Fuse Physical Activity Network.
LACoR - embedding a culture of research in local government PDF 1,096Kb
The Local Authority Champions of Research (LACoR) study, funded by the Health Foundation, explored how to embed a culture of research in local government (LG) to improve population health. The findings were translated into a logic model illustrating what helps and hinders evidence use in decision-making.
Decision making in the planning appeals system for hot food takeaways PDF 1,104Kb
Fuse researchers explored the decision making processes of the National Planning Inspectorate, which upholds or dismisses planning appeal cases, and whether preventing obesity was a factor in the decisions.
Foodscapes: how can we make takeaway food healthier? PDF 893Kb
Reducing obesity needs a change in our food environment and in what and how we eat. The Foodscape study responded to this challenge by identifying effective interventions to change the meals offered by takeaways by testing them in the real world and evaluating their potential for improving diets and reducing obesity.
Co-creating six knowledge sharing principles for public health research PDF 1,027Kb
To increase the impact of scientific research on policy and practice, the NIHR School for Public Health Research created a set of theoretically and empirically-informed knowledge sharing principles for its research programmes. The principles were co-created between academics and practitioners from the School’s eight centres, including Fuse.
Using theatre to start conversations about housing in later life PDF 848Kb
My home, my castle, my container, my prison? How do we imagine the future of where and how we live? Fuse researchers were part of an innovative collaboration using theatre to prompt conversation about how we can better prepare for housing decisions in later life.
What is the impact of Universal Credit on health and wellbeing? PDF 1,234Kb
Universal Credit radically changes the system of welfare benefits and tax credits for people of working age. It aims to simplify the benefits system, ‘make work pay’ and reduce system fraud and error (Department for Work & Pensions 2018), but has been plagued by delays and implementation problems (National Audit Office, House of Commons 2018). The full service roll out of Universal Credit (UC) started in Gateshead in October 2017. Qualitative research to understand its impact was commissioned by Gateshead Council Public Health Team and undertaken by a team of Fuse researchers from Teesside University and Newcastle University in 2018 focusing on vulnerable groups.
Integrated Health and Wellbeing Services in North East England: what works? PDF 1,067Kb
A growing number of Local Authorities have introduced integrated health and wellbeing services as part of efforts to deliver effective, preventive services, using community-centred approaches. A team of researchers from Fuse and Public Health England (PHE) undertook a study to explore what worked and for whom, to identify the active ingredients that make a difference in the delivery of integrated health and wellbeing services (IHWBS).
How do public health policies affect socio-economic inequalities in health? PDF 441Kb
Socio-economic inequalities in health are widespread amongst high-income countries. Public health policies aim to improve the health of populations as a whole but little is known about their effects on health inequalities. A team of Fuse researchers completed a ‘review of reviews’ looking at the existing research literature to summarise the evidence on which public health policies are effective at reducing socio-economic inequalities in health.
Fit 4 The Future: how community-led approaches can address childhood obesity PDF 428Kb
Gateshead Council Public Health commissioned Pattinson House, a Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisation in a deprived ward in Gateshead to develop a childhood obesity prevention project. This was part of ongoing work with local residents to ‘build happier, healthier, friendlier communities’. A Fuse embedded researcher in Gateshead Council evaluated the project and spent time with community members, children and young people, volunteers, staff, parents and teachers who lived and worked in the area.
Community pharmacy and public health: the perfect match? PDF 970Kb
Having easy access to good healthcare increases your chances of being healthy but who can provide what? Four Fuse supported research projects explore how community pharmacy can increase access to healthcare and reduce inequalities in health.
Darlington Healthy New Towns - evaluating the building of a healthy community PDF 591Kb
Fuse researchers scoped an evaluation plan for the Darlington Healthy New Towns (DHNT) programme to identify ways to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and to consider how these successful outcomes would be achieved and recorded in the future delivery of the programme.
Reducing smoking in pregnancy - impact of introducing the babyClear© programme PDF 624Kb
The babyClear© progamme was introduced across North East England to reduce maternal smoking rates, which were the highest in England. Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, has been evaluating the outcomes from this work and this briefing details some of the key findings.
How do public health professionals view and engage with research evidence? PDF 424Kb
Researchers from Fuse and the University of Cambridge conducted in-depth interviews with public health professionals and researchers. These explored opportunities and barriers to public health professionals engaging with research evidence, and what, if anything, could be done to improve their experiences.
Reducing social isolation for vulnerable adults in primary care PDF 488Kb
Social isolation among older, frailer people is a health risk that increases re-hospitalisation. Durham Dales Health Federation has piloted a Wrap Around Service for vulnerable adults to reduce this risk by developing trust and social relationships between practice staff and elderly patients. The pilot has been evaluated by Fuse researchers.
What works to support family carers of people with dementia? PDF 483Kb
The prevalence of dementia in the UK is spiraling, making reliance on family care essential. However, the unique challenges dementia presents to family carers can place their health in jeopardy and require special individual support. Fuse researchers at Northumbria University are identifying solutions that are sensitive to this context.
How do Citizens Advice Bureau services improve people’s health? PDF 521Kb
While it is established that welfare advice services improve people’s financial position, understanding their potential health impact has proved more difficult. Fuse researchers are undertaking an innovative evaluation exploring if, how, when and in which circumstances Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) services improve client’s health.
Do rewards and punishments improve vaccination rates in pre-schoolers? PDF 471Kb
About 5-10 per cent of children starting school in England are not fully vaccinated. In some countries, reward payments have been offered to parents to vaccinate their children. Elsewhere, unvaccinated children are not allowed to attend school. We studied how useful and acceptable these strategies would be in the UK.
Are financial incentives accepted for promoting healthy behaviours? PDF 506Kb
Financial incentives appear to be acceptable for promoting healthier behaviours such as quitting smoking and physical activity, if they are shown to be effective and cost effective, when they are perceived as fair, and when they are delivered to ‘deserving’ groups such as pregnant women.
Financial incentives could help people make healthier lifestyle choices PDF 416Kb
People may be more likely to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviours if they are offered small financial incentives. They are more likely to quit smoking and attend vaccination and screening appointments if given cash or shopping vouchers as a reward.
Creating healthy places in the North East - the role of housing PDF 611Kb
As the Due North: health equity in the North report emphasised, housing is an important social determinant of health and health inequalities. Four Fuse research projects on welfare rights, the bedroom tax, housing improvements and sheltered accommodation are investigating the role of housing in improving public health.
Should we be concerned about energy drinks and young people's health? PDF 1,332Kb
Around one in three young people (under 18) say that they regularly consume energy drinks, which typically contain high levels of caffeine and sugar in combination with other ingredients known to have stimulant properties. On average, young people in the UK consume more energy drinks than those in other European countries.
What is the most effective way to reduce inequalities in childhood obesity? PDF 1,118Kb
Obesity is a major public health priority due to rising rates in the UK and internationally. It is associated with a range of chronic diseases. In some deprived areas rates of child obesity are almost double the rates of obesity in the least deprived areas. Reducing inequalities in childhood obesity is particularly important as it can have long-lasting effects into adult life.
What is the most effective way to reduce inequalities in adult obesity? PDF 1,946Kb
Rising obesity rates are a national and international public health concern. Obesity is associated with a range of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and some forms of cancer. Higher levels of obesity are found in more low-income groups and there is a lack of evidence of the types of interventions that are effective in reducing these inequalities.
Fear of the 'brown envelope': welfare reform & recipients of sickness benefits PDF 561Kb
Stigmatising and dehumanising language directed at people receiving benefits might be good politics but it is bad policy. Research shows that the circumstances of welfare recipients are far different than what government rhetoric and mass media portrayals suggest.
Cutting children's exposure to unhealthy food advertisements PDF 431Kb
Ofcom has introduced regulations banning the advertising of foods which are high in fat, salt and sugar during children’s TV programming. Researchers from the Fuse research centre found that the overall amount of unhealthy food advertisements seen by children is the same as before the ban.
Are we really turning the tide against irresponsible drinking? PDF 428Kb
Increasing alcohol consumption and the associated health, social and economic harms are key public health concerns. Recent evidence shows that workers in middle-class professional roles consume more alcohol than other groups within the workforce, yet little is known about their views of drinking.
