Public Health Scotland

Along with Research Data Scotland, we have launched the brand new Researcher Access Service. The service makes it quicker and simpler to access data for research in the public benefit. At launch, nine of our most frequently requested datasets are available through the streamlined service. Carole Morris, Head of Data and Modelling Services at PHS said: “We are proud to be a key partner in RDS and are working very closely with them to improve and streamline the access routes for the research community wishing to access public sector data to undertake research that will, ultimately, improve the health and social wellbeing of the population. Additionally. RDS has commissioned PHS to develop, implement and subsequently operate the RAS on their behalf through our researcher support services and to provide access to the data through our secure national safe haven. This is being carried out by our highly experienced eDRIS team in a trusted research environment.” Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eSBpju4t

Chief Executive of the Cyrenians homelessness charity, Ewan Aitken, guest authors our blog this week where he tells us about the current housing crisis in Scotland and how taking a public health approach can be part of the solution. "A public health approach to homelessness prevention recognises that, like many health inequalities, homelessness is a complex social problem that arises from a system of multiple interrelated causes and consequences and addressing it effectively requires both population level prevention, as well as individual level interventions with services and sectors working together." Read the blog here ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gM-_UF36

The power of vaccines is immense – they save lives, they prevent illness, they contribute to children having the best start in life and offer other vulnerable people the prospect of a healthier future. This #WorldImmunisationWeek, 24-30 April 2024, the World Health Organization is celebrating the role that vaccination programmes across the world have played in the last 50 years. In a blog published as part of the week, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at Public Health Scotland, reflects on this year’s WIW theme ‘Humanly Possible: Saving lives through immunisation’. He also emphasises the importance of ensuring the successes in using vaccines continue in the face of global challenges. Read the blog here 🔽 https://lnkd.in/ezdSwc7M #HumanlyPossible #WIW24

What does home mean to you? Too many people in Scotland are living without housing security. Amidst rising rents and mortgages, and a shortage of available properties in both the private and social rented sectors, several local authorities have declared housing emergencies. The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise, and people are being left in temporary accommodation, including unsuitable accommodation, for far too long. In our latest blog, Emma Doyle, our Organisational Lead for Housing and Homelessness, discusses this lack of affordable housing and it's impact on the levels of people experiencing homelessness in Scotland. View the blog here: https://lnkd.in/e24yD65v

Today's #EarthDay2024 theme is Earth vs Plastics, with a call to reduce plastic waste. While the NHS in Scotland is constantly seeking safe and responsible ways to reduce plastic in healthcare, it’s not always straightforward. In the first of a series highlighting great sustainable practice across the NHS in Scotland, we spoke to NHS Grampian about a simple but innovative project to reduce plastic waste by ensuring food supplement bottles are recycled. Find out more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/etejVKcT

We’re pleased to announce we’ve been shortlisted for two awards at The Marketing Society Scotland Star Awards 2024. The campaign shortlisted is Chat. Sign. Protect which was developed in partnership with creative agency Bright Signals. The campaign aims to encourage uptake of the vaccines offered to S1 and S3 pupils in secondary school. Have a look in the comments and watch our hero film!

In order to ensure public health actions are well directed to reduce the harms associated with opioid drugs, it’s important to determine how many people are at on-going risk and may require support for their drug problem. In our latest blog, Lee Barnsdale, Programme Portfolio Manager in the Drugs Team at Public Health Scotland, discusses the development of a new methodology to estimate the number of people who are dependent on opioids in Scotland and why this is important. View the 'Estimating a hidden population' blog here: https://lnkd.in/e5-BPbKr

We welcome Scottish Government's plans to increase minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol. Our research shows MUP has had a positive impact on tackling health harms from alcohol. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/ewMTGyUE

📩 Every month we publish a newsletter which highlights the latest news, blogs and publications from the Public Health Scotland website. Sign up and have the latest PHS news delivered straight to your inbox ⬇ https://lnkd.in/encK2FkW

Our 'Inspiring Change' #ScotPH24 conference with UK Faculty of Public Health and the Scottish Directors of Public Health Group is now sold out. You can join the waiting list via the Conference website https://scotphconf.org Register for the chance to join other attendees in Glasgow on the 1st of May 2024. Hear from Public Health Scotland's Chief Exec, Paul Johnston, and the Faculty of Public Health's President, Dr Kevin Fenton, as they discuss the upcoming event in the video below.