Evidence Updates Homepage – Public Health Key Documents
The Health Care Team produce a monthly report on evidence updates. The methods used to identify potentially relevant evidence and circulate it each month can be viewed here.
Past months’ updates (plus this months in PDF format) can be accessed at the bottom of the page.
Public Health Key Documents: March 2025
NIHR
Recent research in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an evidence map
The evidence map summarises ME/chronic fatigue syndrome research from 2018 to 2023.
Systematic search: Limited
March 2025
Most parents/carers found newborn blood spot screening programmes to be acceptable and favoured their large-scale implementation. A minority of parents/carers expressed concerns regarding the acceptability of processes underpinning newborn blood spot screening, such as consent, the timing of receiving information and support available after testing.
Systematic search: Limited
March 2025
The King’s Fund
The health of women from ethnic minority groups in England
1 in 4 women in England is from an ethnic minority group. This report underlines that the risks to health and health inequalities in women from ethnic minority groups start early and are apparent across the life course. Their specific health needs are often not fully recognised or addressed. The causes of health inequalities are multifactorial and intersect. Health outcomes are shaped by the socio-economic, behavioural and wider determinants of health, and these differ significantly between and among ethnic minority groups. Some women from ethnic minority groups face obstacles when it comes to staying healthy and accessing health care due to the way health care services are structured – this includes language barriers, services that are not culturally competent and poor health literacy. Deprivation and structural racism can reinforce inequalities – for example, in education, housing and employment – which in turn can have a negative impact on health. Systematic search: No
March 2025
SIGN
SIGN 172 Prevention and remission of type 2 diabetes
This guideline provides recommendations on the prevention, early detection, and early non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It includes adults who are: at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; clinically diagnosed with prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting hyperglycaemia or previous gestational diabetes; recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It excludes children and the not-at-risk general population.
Systematic search: Yes
March 2025
Public Health Scotland
Nil
Scottish Government
Socioeconomic inequality and barriers to primary care in Scotland: a literature review
The review demonstrates that multiple factors tied to socioeconomic deprivation impact an individual’s ability to seek and reach healthcare, and experiences of care. Literature is presented according to four ‘points of engagement’ with primary care: ‘awareness of health needs’; ‘seeking support from services’; ‘reaching services’ and ‘encounters with primary care services’.
Systematic search: Limited
April 2025
Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC Advice)
Accepted for use within NHSScotland in combination with enzalutamide for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
NOT recommended for use for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) who have received prior treatment with three or more kinase inhibitors, including Imatinib.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
NOT recommended for use for the treatment of flares in adult patients with generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP) as monotherapy.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
cabozantinib (Cabozantinib Ipsen)
Accepted for use as monotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in adults who have previously been treated with sorafenib.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
NICE – Technology Appraisal Guidance
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Systematic search: No
March 2025
TA1045 12 SQ-HDM SLIT for treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma caused by house dust mites
Systematic search: No
March 2025
NICE – Guidelines
Nil
UKHSA
Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England
New provisional STI surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
UKHSA highlights pathogens of greatest risk to public health
UKHSA has published its view on the pathogen families that could pose the greatest risk to public health, in a bid to focus and guide preparedness efforts against these threats. The list of 24 pathogen families, a reference tool to help guide research and development investment in England, is the first specifically designed to consider both global public health threats as well as those most relevant to a UK population. It provides information on pathogen families where UKHSA believes further research would be most beneficial to boost preparedness against future biosecurity risks, particularly around diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. Research and development across a range of other pathogen families not on this list also remains vital.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Cold weather risks and their impact on health
This resource aims to raise awareness of the health impacts of cold weather; provide a resource that can be used to engage with partners; aid in planning and decision-making for the winter. It gives an overview of the evidence base and epidemiology of cold-associated deaths.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Cold weather and health: guidance and advice
Guidance aimed at preventing the major avoidable effects of cold weather on health.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Air Quality Information System (AQIS) review
This expert-led review – working with respiratory experts, the charity sector, central government and local authorities – makes a series of recommendations aimed at informing the public about the link between poor air quality and ill health. The UK has world-class tools that monitor poor air quality, but there is a need to better explain why air pollution is a hazard and who is most at risk from harm. There is also a need to improve teaching for medical professionals on air pollution, which will filter down to their patients, as well as for a public awareness campaign and wider engagement with community groups and schools to embed air quality in everyday conversation.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
This resource can be used to raise awareness of ticks to reduce the potential impacts of associated tick-borne diseases.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre
Nil
EPPI Centre
People who received remote therapy in addition to in-person treatment used drugs/alcohol on fewer days than those who only got in-person treatment and/or were less likely to start using drugs/alcohol again. When remote therapies were given instead of in-person treatment, there was no clear difference in the number of days people used drugs/alcohol but fewer people started using drugs/alcohol again. The studies that reduced drug/alcohol use the most had three things in common: they met the treatment and recovery needs of people; they took a person-centred approach; they supported service use with the remote therapy designed to support continued participation in in-person treatment, or encouraged the use of other available services. Almost all of the studies examined excluded people who had mental health problems and people who did not have access to technology. Very few studies looked at whether remote therapy helped some groups more than others.
Systematic search: Yes
March 2025
AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – USA)
Breastfeeding and Health Outcomes for Infants and Children
Generally, more breastfeeding is linked to better health outcomes for infants and children compared to less breastfeeding. The review did not find a specific duration of breastfeeding that is clearly more beneficial across all health outcomes. There is limited research on how the method of feeding and the source of human milk affect health outcomes. All data come from observational studies.
Systematic search: Yes
March 2025
Interventions To Improve Care of Bereaved Persons
Only a small body of evidence has evaluated the effects of screening approaches. There was insufficient evidence for evidence statements regarding participant experience, validity and diagnostic accuracy of the screening tool or approach, or adverse events associated with the screening process. A small body of evidence has addressed the identification of bereaved people at risk or with grief disorder, and reports positive diagnostic accuracy of the Inventory of Complicated Grief. None of the identified studies used the reference standard of the newly established clinical diagnosis of grief disorder to determine diagnostic accuracy. A substantial body of evidence addressed psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, expert-facilitated support groups, peer support, self-help approaches, and other interventions (writing and music, comprehensive support, integrative medicine) but the strength of evidence was limited or insufficient for many interventions. There is moderate evidence of moderate strength for the beneficial effect of psychotherapy on severity of grief disorder, grief symptoms, and depression symptoms and expert-facilitated support groups on grief symptoms. There is a small body of evidence reporting on individuals diagnosed with grief disorders; with limited evidence of low strength for the beneficial effect of psychotherapy on grief disorder and grief symptoms.
Systematic search: Yes
March 2025
Dose-response meta-analyses suggest a nonlinear relationship between the intake of digestible carbohydrates and cardiovascular disease and incident T2D. These associations appear to be U-shaped and suggest certain ranges of carbohydrate intake that were associated with the lowest risk. Such ranges can help in establishing future Dietary Reference Intakes for carbohydrates, which can have important consequences on incidence and morbidity of chronic conditions and public health.
Systematic search: Yes
March 2025
Health Foundation
This report finds large variations in people’s experience of the building blocks of health according to ethnicity. The reasons for these differences are complex with socioeconomic background, migration and history, and geography all having the ability to compound disadvantage. Racism can act in several forms: interpersonal, institutional and structural. It can have both direct and indirect negative impacts on physical and mental health. The report identifies ways racism operates within the everyday structures of our society – the labour market, housing systems and lived environment – and limits people’s opportunity to be healthy. A credible agenda for improving health must address the impact of unequal access to the building blocks of health on different communities and recognise racism as a key health determinant. Tackling these deep-rooted inequalities is crucial for a fairer, healthier society.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Action for healthier working lives: final report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives
8.2 million working-age people report having a long-term health condition that limits their ability to work. Each year, over 300,000 people leave their jobs and end up out of the workforce entirely with work-limiting health conditions. This has resulted in substantial costs for individuals, employers and the wider economy, and risks deepening existing inequalities. The final report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives makes recommendations for a bold long-term vision, setting out practical steps to shift policy and action towards preventing people from having to leave the workforce. Reform should be guided by the following aims: prevention through best practice; capacity for early, joined-up support; incentives to support preventative action.
Systematic search: No
March 2025
Canadian Agency for drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)
Switching Calcitonin Gene–Related Peptide Inhibitors for Migraine Prophylaxis | CDA-AMC
Overall, the studies included in the review do not offer clear guidance on the effectiveness of prophylactic CGRP inhibitors in patients with migraine who have failed treatment on a different CGRP inhibitor.
Systematic search: Limited
March 2025
McGill University Health Centre (Canada)
Nil
Health Information & Quality Authority (Ireland) – Health Technology Assessments
Nil
Campbell Collaboration
This systematic review synthesises factors influencing the implementation of NPIs for managing BPSD in RACHs. Key factors include collaboration amongst staff and families, organisational support, staffing, education and staff familiarity with both the interventions and residents. Strengthening these areas could enhance the care outcomes for aged-care residents with dementia. For decision-makers, these insights suggest the need for comprehensive strategies to improve NPI implementation. This could include ensuring appropriate staffing levels, enhancing collaboration, allocating adequate funds, providing training, strengthening organisational support and improving the quality of information exchange amongst care staff, between care staff and volunteers and families of residents with dementia. For researchers, the findings from this systematic review could provide valuable insights including the need to explore strategies to overcome barriers to NPI implementation, especially investigating innovative models for staffing and collaborative practice, examining the effectiveness of different education and training approaches, and exploring organisational policies and support mechanisms that can enhance the implementation of NPIs.
Systematic search: Yes
March 2025
Glasgow Centre for Population Health
Examining the social determinants of LGBT+ health and wellbeing
This scoping review presents the evidence relating to LGBT+ health inequalities under seven interwoven themes:: Data inadequacies; Life course discrimination, intolerance and microaggressions; Mental health and wellbeing; Adolescence and mental health; Physical health and risk factors; Healthcare access and experiences; Health in older age. It also presents key policy recommendations based on the evidenced social determinants of LGBT+ health and the identified unmet health needs within the population. These evidence-based recommendations recognise the social determinants of LGBT+ health and wellbeing and aim to redress the priority health inequalities evident. Recommendations for future research are offered.
Systematic search: Limited
March 2025
Selected other recent reports
Cancer research UK (2025) Cancer in the UK 2025 – socio economic deprivation
This report updates the Cancer in the UK 2020: Socioeconomic deprivation report and highlights that little has changed in progress towards tackling cancer inequalities. Stark differences between the most and least deprived continue across the cancer pathway, from prevalence of risk factors, cancer diagnosis, through to survival and mortality. Depressingly, cancer-related deaths are almost 60% higher in the most deprived areas of the UK than in the least deprived
Chief Scientist Office (CSO) (2025) LUNGSCOT: How should Scotland respond to the challenge of lung cancer screening: A mixed methods feasibility study
This is the first pilot risk-based lung screening study using low dose computed tomography in Scotland. Evidence from this study, involving patients from GP practices in Lothian, suggests that lung screening in Scotland is feasible and acceptable. Participants can be identified from their primary care records and screening processes are approved by screening participants. Uptake rates and screening outcomes are similar to those reported in English lung screening pilots, with evidence for variation by deprivation. Qualitative work has identified challenges to participation. Insight from this pilot study can inform further work to answer questions of the optimal implementation of lung screening in Scotland.
Mental Health Foundation (2025) Resources to help meet young mums’ mental health needs
Young mums are at a higher risk of experiencing mental illness during pregnancy and after birth and are more likely to face additional challenges. As part of the Foundation’s Creating Connections project, it has worked with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to develop a collection ofmaterials aimed at increasing understanding of young mums’ mental health needs. Additionally, it has created resources highlighting the importance of peer support and how to provide it effectively.
Nuffield Trust (2025) Health in the UK after Brexit
The report tracks the ongoing impact from EU exit on medicines, workforce migration and procurement legislation, and examines four emerging areas substantially affected by the UK’s new regulatory path: AI, funding, professional qualifications, and cross-border patient care.
NICE FORWARD PLANNING – Publications due April 2025
Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and management – Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and ovarian function suppression (update)
Clinical Guideline – update (new clinical practice evidence)
Falls: assessment and prevention in older people and people 50 and over at higher risk (update) Clinical Guideline – update (new clinical practice evidence)
Efanesoctocog alfa for treating and preventing bleeding episodes in haemophilia A in people 2 years and over
Technology Appraisal
Rucaparib for maintenance treatment of advanced ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer after response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy
Technology Appraisal
Relugolix–estradiol–norethisterone for treating symptoms of endometriosis
Technology Appraisal
Ruxolitinib for treating acute graft versus host disease refractory to corticosteroids in people aged 12 and over
Technology Appraisal
Cladribine for treating relapsing multiple sclerosis
Technology Appraisal
Molnupiravir for treating COVID-19
Technology Appraisal
Leniolisib for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome in people 12 years and over Technology Appraisal
Key Document
2025
2024
- December 2024
- October – November 2024
- September 2024
- July – August 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- March – April 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
2023
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- June & July 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
2022
- December 2022 & January 2023
- October & November 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
2021
- November- December 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- July – August 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
Previous Months
2020
2019
2018
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- March-April 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
2017
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
2016
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
2015