Collection

Behavioural and social sciences: public health

An overview of how the behavioural and social sciences are used to improve public health in England.

• From: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
• Published: 25 October 2018
• Last updated: 28 September 2021 — See all updates

The Behavioural and Social Sciences Team (BeSST) is a multidisciplinary team of behavioural and social scientists. BeSST works across the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to support national and regional teams, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders on the application of behavioural science methods and evidence to the development and delivery of public health policy.

Work by BeSST focuses on:

• applying behavioural and social science methods, frameworks, theory and evidence to develop strategy, policy and practice
• conducting consultations, research and evaluation projects
• building the behavioural and social science capability of the public health system

BeSST  work is documented in case studies on NHS Health Check trials and weighted financial remuneration and on healthy food environments in secondary schools.

BeSST originally worked as Public Health England Behavioural Insights (PHEBI).

Strategy

• Improving people’s health: applying behavioural and social sciences
  • 1 October 2018
  • Guidance

Behavioural trials and evaluation projects

• Commissioning behavioural science support for public health
  • 28 September 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Hospital vending machines: helping people make healthier choices
  • 20 July 2018
  • Research and analysis
• Behaviour change techniques review: descriptive studies
  • 6 July 2020
  • Guidance

Literature reviews and behavioural analyses

NHS Health Check digital review was a collaboration between BeSST (while working as PHE Behavioural Insights) and PHE’s national digital and CVD prevention teams to explore how digital technology could be used to support the NHS Health Check programme.

• Behaviour change: helping health professionals deliver brief interventions
  • 28 September 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections
  • 14 September 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Behaviour change interventions to optimise antibiotic prescribing
  • 1 September 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Uptake and retention in group based weight management services
  • 19 July 2018
  • Research and analysis
• Antibiotic prescribing and behaviour change in healthcare settings
  • 18 February 2015
  • Research and analysis
• Behaviours related to catheter-associated urinary tract infections
  • 8 July 2020
  • Research and analysis

Advisory documents

• Adult weight management: changing behaviour techniques
  • 21 June 2017
  • Guidance
• Alcohol, drugs and tobacco: commissioning support pack
  • 4 October 2018
  • Guidance
• Behaviour change: guides for national and local government and partners
  • 6 November 2020
  • Guidance
• Family weight management: changing behaviour techniques
  • 20 March 2020
  • Guidance
• Health matters: community-centred health and wellbeing approaches
  • 28 February 2018
  • Guidance

Published 25 October 2018
Last updated 28 September 2021 + show all updates

1. 28 September 2021

   Added 'Behaviour change: helping health professionals deliver brief interventions' and 'Commissioning behavioural science support for public health'.

2. 15 September 2021

   Added Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

3. 1 September 2021

   Added Behaviour change interventions to optimise antibiotic prescribing.

4. 3 August 2020

   Added 'Behaviour change: guide for local government and partners' document.

5. 15 July 2020

   Added Behaviours related to catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

6. 15 July 2020

   Added Behaviour change techniques review: descriptive studies.

7. 7 April 2020

   Added link to NHS Health Check Digital Review.

8. 20 March 2020

   Added 'Family weight management: changing behaviour techniques.'

9. 5 February 2020

   Added 'Adult weight management: changing behaviour techniques'.

10. 25 October 2018

    First published.