STORRE Collection: Electronic copies of Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport research reports.

Testing the optimal design of health-promoting pack inserts and dissuasive cigarettes

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Testing the optimal design of health-promoting pack inserts and dissuasive cigarettes Author(s): Moodie, Crawford; Cook, Megan; Sharp, Clare; Hussein, Nour; Best, Catherine; Turner, Sally; Angus, Kathryn; Brose, Julie; Alexandrou, Georgia; Ford, Allison Abstract: First paragraph: This study was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Policy Research Unit, to understand whether there may be potential public health benefits associated with two tobacco-related policies: 1) health-promoting pack inserts, i.e. pieces of card which are included inside packs of cigarettes or rolling tobacco with messages encouraging smokers to quit; and 2) dissuasive cigarettes, i.e. cigarettes which display warnings and/or are a colour intended to be unappealing.

Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Youth Sport in Canada and Scotland

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Youth Sport in Canada and Scotland Author(s): Aubin, Keaton; Darnell, Simon; Jarvie, Grant; Simpson, Kait; Walker, Ross Abstract: First paragraph: In December 2019, 2019-nCov (Coronavirus/Covid-19) spread worldwide. By March 2020, sport was curtailed indefinitely. Consequently, sport’s very nature was significantly affected and, in some instances, permanently altered with the entire industry enduring a period of uncertainty which ultimately led to the dissolution of some sports businesses, competitions, organisations and teams (Pedersen, Ruihley, and Li, 2021). In creating a new field of study, research until now has focused more broadly on sport during the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of the experiences, impacts, issues and responses (Grix et al., 2021; Razai et al., 2020; Skinner and Smith, 2021). Less has been said about youth sport and Covid-19 (Drummond et al., 2020; Kelly et al., 2020; Sanderson and Brown, 2020). Some have concentrated upon specific countries, demographics and sports (Dorsch et al., 2021; O’Kane et al., 2021; Zago, Lovecchio and Galli, 2022). However, none have offered comparisons between two countries, like Canada and Scotland. Given the value attached to sport for youth as shown by the United Nations (UN) (2017) labelling it a fundamental human right, there is an increased need to give youth sport during the Covid-19 pandemic attention. While this paper does not assert that a lacuna about youth sport and Covid-19 exists, it is rather proposed that with the world progressing back to a perceived sense of ‘normality’, it is time to review all relevant research which documents youth sport during the pandemic in Canada and Scotland.

Game of Stones NIHR Synopsis

Title: Game of Stones NIHR Synopsis Author(s): Macaulay, Lisa; O'Dolan, Catriona; Dombrowski, Stephan; Swingler, James; Cotton, Seonaidh; Avenell, Alison; Bowers, Dwayne; Getaneh, Abraham; Gray, Cindy M; Hunt, Kate; Kee, Frank; MacLean, Alice; Torrens, Claire; van der Pol, Marjon; Hoddinott, Pat Abstract: Background Men with obesity infrequently engage with weight management services. Objectives To determine: i) percentage weight loss at 12 and 24 months for text messages with or without financial incentives compared to control; ii) secondary outcomes; iii) costeffectiveness; iv) moderators of effectiveness; iv) participant and stakeholder perspectives. Design and methods Assessor blinded randomised controlled trial. UK NHS perspective cost-effectiveness over 24 months and modelled lifetime horizon. Mixed methods process evaluation. Setting and participants 585 men with body mass index ≥30kg/m2 enrolled (July 2021-May 2022) in Belfast, Bristol and Glasgow; final follow-up June 2024. Interventions Random allocation to 12 months of behavioural text messages plus financial incentives (N=196), same texts alone (N=194), or 12-month waiting list control group offered 3 months of texts between 12-15 months (N=195). A £400 financial incentive was lost if weight losstargets were not met. Main outcome measures Weight change as a percentage of baseline weight at 12- and 24-months comparing control with i) texts with financial incentives and ii) texts alone. Results Of 585 men (mean age 51 years; mean weight: 119 kg), 227 (39%) lived in lower socioeconomic areas, 146 (25%) reported a mental health condition, and 253 (40%) had multiple long-term conditions. Follow-up was completed by 426 (73%) at 12 months and 377 (64%) at 24 months. At 12 months, mean percentage weight changes (SD) were −4.8% (6.1) [−5.7 kg], −2.7% (6.3) [−3.0 kg], and −1.3% (5.5) [−1.5 kg] for the incentives, text-only, and control groups, respectively. Compared to control, weight loss was significantly greater with incentives [−3.2% (97.5% CI, −4.6 to −1.9; p<0.001)] but not texts alone [−1.4%; CI −2.9 to 0.0; p=0.053]. At 24 months, changes were −3.9% [−4.6 kg], −2.6% [−3.1 kg], and −2.2% [−2.6 kg], no significant between-group differences. Intervention costs were £243 for texts with incentives, £110 for texts alone. There were no significant differences between 24-month costs or QALYs. Long-term modelling found texts with incentives vs. control were: QALY difference (95% CI): 0·02 (0·007, 0·029); cost difference: £176 (£43; £311); Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER): £9,748 (£7,705, £11,791). For texts alone vs. control: QALY difference: 0·03 (0·015, 0·037); cost difference: £16·5 (-£117; £152); ICER: £628 (£-5,914, £5,384) There were no moderator effects for socio-economic, health or wellbeing status for either comparison versus control. The texts with incentives group had higher engagement in weight goal setting, food changes, self-weighing, confidence, satisfaction and quality of life compared to the control. Limitations Generalisability to women, diverse ethnic groups, and people with low literacy is uncertain. Not generalisable to people with no mobile phone access. Retention was lowest in the text messages alone group. Conclusions Texts with financial incentives have a modest but important effect to12 months with clinically relevant weight loss maintenance to 24 months, are cost-effective and equally effective regardless of socioeconomic or health characteristics. Future work Implementation, adapt for women, other cultures and longer-term follow-up. Study registration: ISRCTN91974895 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91974895 Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Public Health Research programme (PHR 129703)

Exploring the accessibility of vapes to young people and adults across the UK

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Exploring the accessibility of vapes to young people and adults across the UK Author(s): Ford, Allison; MacKintosh, Anne Marie; Morgan, Amber; Best, Catherine; Lewis, Grace; Angus, Kathryn; Mitchell, Danielle; Shanthan, Akshayaa; Froguel, Alizee; Neve, Kimberley Abstract: Executive summary: Tobacco remains the biggest cause of cancer and premature death in the UK causing around 75,800 deaths each year. With smoking accounting for nearly twice as many cancer cases in lower income groups compared to higher income groups, it is crucial to ensure equitable access to smoking cessation tools for those looking to quit. Current evidence indicates that legal vapes (also known as e-cigarettes) pose a small fraction of the risks of smoking and can be a useful tool to help people quit smoking. However, they also often contain nicotine, which is a very addictive substance, so the increase in the use of vapes in people who have never smoked and young people under 18 that has been reported in the UK is of concern. The Khan review recommended increasing accessibility by offering vapes as a quitting tool to all people who smoke and providing free pack exchanges in deprived communities. However, it is potentially concerning that changes in the UK vape market and retail environment have occurred alongside a known increase in uptake of vaping among people who have never smoked, particularly young people. Policy should seek to preserve access to vapes for people who smoke and want to use them as a quitting tool but protect young people and those who have never smoked against the potential harms of vaping. Policy development should therefore be informed by evidence on the experience of users and perceptions of access, as well as the retail environment of vapes.