Health and social care research publications

POSTnote

Smart Cities

Wednesday, 22 September, 2021

"Smart cities" describes places that incorporate a range of technologies (especially those that collect and use data) to address economic, social, and environmental challenges. Projects usually take place in urban areas, but are also deployed in rural settings. This POSTnote looks at smart city innovation in the UK and the technologies involved. It considers the factors driving the adoption of smart city technologies, and the potential benefits, barriers and risks associated with their implementation.
POSTnote

Children’s Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Thursday, 09 September, 2021

A POSTnote describing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health. This briefing summarises the latest understanding from research about the effects on children throughout the pandemic, and the factors that increase vulnerability to poor mental health. It also reviews policy approaches that seek to protect children's mental health, with particular focus on recent initiatives to address this.
POSTnote

Early Childhood Education and Care

Thursday, 26 August, 2021

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) refers to education and childcare provided in regulated settings from birth to the start of primary school. This POSTnote summarises the evidence on the association between ECEC and children’s development in England and the key factors that affect this. It also covers the impact of government-funded ECEC places on families and the sector, and stakeholder perspectives on public policy priorities.
Rapid response

Water fluoridation and dental health

Wednesday, 25 August, 2021

An overview of water fluoridation in England, including the impact of fluoride on dental health, an overview of dental health in England, and the importance and implications of dental health inequalities.
- Rapid response
- Health and social care
Rapid response

Immunising children against COVID-19

Thursday, 29 July, 2021

As the UK COVID-19 immunisation programme reaches all adults, the Government has announced an update to its policy on using a COVID-19 vaccine in children. So, how does COVID-19 affect children? What will the impact of vaccinating children be on preventing disease and minimising associated risks? And what do we know about public attitudes to using COVID-19 vaccines in children?
POSTnote

Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults

Wednesday, 21 July, 2021

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health concern, with a growing body of research describing the effects on the population since March 2020. This POSTnote summarises the key findings from research, highlights the groups most affected and their mental health outcomes, and the limitations of current knowledge. It also discusses policy approaches to protect mental health and how healthcare services can adapt to improve outcomes.
Rapid response

How does the virus that causes COVID-19 spread?

Friday, 16 July, 2021

What are the different mechanisms by which the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is transmitted from one person to another, how has the scientific thinking changed, and how can transmission be reduced?
Rapid response

COVID-19 vaccine coverage and targeted interventions to improve vaccination uptake

Friday, 02 July, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccination programme launched in January 2021. All adults over 18 have now been offered the vaccine, although it was reported that 1.3 million people who had been offered a vaccine had not received it. Some people are vaccine hesitant whilst others experience barriers to accessing vaccines. Targeted interventions have been promoted locally and nationally to improve vaccine uptake.
Rapid response

COVID-19 vaccines: effectiveness against the B.1.617.2 variant and latest updates from trials

Wednesday, 26 May, 2021

The B.1.617.2 variant was first observed in India and is rapidly spreading in the UK. What is known about effectiveness of vaccines against this variant - and how close to the finish line are the other vaccines already secured by the UK?
Rapid response

What is the real-world impact of COVID-19 vaccines on community transmission?

Tuesday, 25 May, 2021

Real-world data shows that COVID-19 vaccines deployed in the UK are effective in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 transmission already after a single dose. Are all the other COVID-19 vaccines equally effective? What is the evidence on balancing between vaccinations and lifting restrictions?
Rapid response

COVID-19 vaccines safety and blood clots

Wednesday, 19 May, 2021

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines currently deployed in the UK is closely monitored. This monitoring has shown that the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is associated with very rare blood clots. What is known about these very rare adverse events?
POSTnote

Developing essential digital skills

Friday, 07 May, 2021

Digital skills are increasingly important for day-to-day life, including for communication, accessing services and employment. However, around a fifth of the population do not have essential digital skills for life as defined by the UK Government. While research suggests the number of people with basic digital skills has increased in recent years, concerns remain about those who lack them. Experts have highlighted that digitally excluded people may experience various negative impacts, including poorer health outcomes and social isolation This POSTnote gives an overview of digital skills in the UK, the impact of a lack of digital skills on outcomes in areas such as employment and health, and initiatives in place to improve digital skills.
Horizon scanning

An introduction to Research for Parliament 2021

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

Experts have helped us find 30 areas of change to help the UK Parliament prepare for the future.
Horizon scanning

The future of UK research: structure and funding

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

In its 2017 Industrial Strategy, the UK Government set out a target of investing 2.4% of GDP on R&D by 2027. How is it planning to reach this target? What are the uncertainties emerging from COVID-19 and the withdrawal from the European Union?
Horizon scanning

Mental health and well-being in the context of COVID-19

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

The impacts of COVID-19 on mental health remain unclear. Initial research suggests disproportional impact on children, young people and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Total results (page 8 of 27)