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

The acceptability of blood spot screening and genome sequencing in newborn screening: a systematic review examining evidence and frameworks

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)

talazoparib (Talzenna)

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

ripretinib (Qinlock)

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

spesolimab (Spevigo)

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

TA1048 Lisocabtagene maraleucel for treating relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after first-line chemoimmunotherapy when a stem cell transplant is suitable

Systematic search: No

March 2025

TA1049 Blinatumomab with chemotherapy for consolidation treatment of Philadelphia-chromosome-negative CD19-positive minimal residual disease-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Systematic search: No

March 2025

TA1050 Fenfluramine for treating seizures associated with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in people 2 years and over

Systematic search: No

March 2025

TA1046 Zolbetuximab with chemotherapy for untreated claudin-18.2-positive HER2-negative unresectable advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

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

Tick awareness and toolkit

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

Effectiveness and critical features of remote therapies delivered as a component of drug and/or alcohol treatment and recovery support: a systematic review

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

Association of Digestible Carbohydrate Intake with Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Body Composition

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

How racism affects health

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

Factors Influencing the Implementation of Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Residential Aged-Care Homes: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

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

2023

2022

2021

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2015