https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/8617 2026-07-22T09:47:45Z 2026-07-22T09:47:45Z Chen, S Banstola, A Junghans Minton, C Harris, M Anokye, N https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33577 2026-07-15T08:34:48Z 2026-06-22T00:00:00Z

Title: Decision-analytic models in the economic evaluation of community health worker programmes globally: a systematic review Authors: Chen, S; Banstola, A; Junghans Minton, C; Harris, M; Anokye, N Abstract: Introduction: Economic evidence on community health worker (CHW) programmes is crucial for scaling these initiatives. Although decision-analytic models (DAMs) are essential for projecting long-term value, it is unclear how rigorously they have been applied to CHW evaluations, potentially compromising the reliability and comparability of cost-effectiveness estimates used for policy decisions. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify full economic evaluations of CHW-led or CHW-integrated interventions that employed a DAM. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, six databases (Medline, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched from inception to June 2025. Eligible studies were full economic evaluations assessing CHW-led or CHW-integrated interventions using DAMs. Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Methodological quality was appraised using the Philips checklist, and data were extracted on model type, data sources and validation practices. Findings were synthesised narratively across model structures, income groups and quality domains. Results: 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. Decision trees were used in 32% of studies and Markov models in 30% with the remainder applying microsimulation, dynamic transmission or hybrid approaches. Most evaluations were undertaken in low- and middle-income countries, with few from low-income or high-income settings. Data constraints in low-income settings limited model complexity, whereas models in high-income settings tended to adopt more sophisticated structures but narrower intervention scopes. The mean quality score was 67%, with substantial gaps in model validation and limited exploration of structural uncertainty. Overall, 84% of studies concluded that CHW-led interventions were cost-effective, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios generally favourable across settings. Conclusions: Although CHW interventions are generally cost-effective, the strength of this evidence is constrained by methodological limitations in existing models. Future modelling should prioritise rigorous validation, localisation of input data and explicit valuation of CHW and societal contributions to enhance the credibility of economic evidence for policy use. PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251066586. Description: Data availability statement: Data are available on reasonable request.

2026-06-22T00:00:00Z Norris, E Braun, M Green, JA Bernard, P Peters, G-J https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33573 2026-07-14T02:00:59Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Walking the walk through the open door: Realising Open Science infrastructures Authors: Norris, E; Braun, M; Green, JA; Bernard, P; Peters, G-J Abstract: ... Description: ...

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Hall, A Barreto, M Victor, C Qualter, P Pitman, A https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33558 2026-07-05T02:01:02Z 2026-07-02T00:00:00Z

Title: The views of young people on how to prevent or address loneliness: analysis of British survey data from the BBC Loneliness Experiment Authors: Hall, A; Barreto, M; Victor, C; Qualter, P; Pitman, A Abstract: Loneliness in adolescence is a promising intervention target because of the high prevalence of loneliness at this developmental stage, the demonstrable associations with mental illness, and potential to prevent the onset of mental disorder. However, the acceptability of loneliness interventions to adolescents is questionable, and may explain the weak trial evidence to support effectiveness. In the current study, we captured the views of young people about which interventions they recommended for preventing or addressing loneliness. Using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics we analysed qualitative and quantitative data for 393 British participants age 16-18 years in the BBC Loneliness Experiment, recruited in 2018. Analysis identified three main themes: Connecting with others; Changing how one relates to others; and Changing how one experiences solitude. Responses to a list of 21 suggested solutions to loneliness showed that >50% endorsed each of: distraction approaches, focussing on work, study, or hobbies, talking about one’s feelings, and joining a club. Our findings suggest that young people find the experience of loneliness distressing but are resourceful in finding strategies to prevent or mitigate it. Learning to take pleasure in their own company was described as a way of avoiding solitude being experienced as a stigmatised state of aloneness. These, and other important life skills, such as seeking out social connections and using opportunities for self-improvement, provided valuable guidance for peers. Their advice provides guidance for future research and co-produced intervention development to address loneliness in this age group. Description: Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.; This is a PDF of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form. As such, this version is no longer the Accepted Manuscript, but it is not yet the definitive Version of Record; we are providing this early version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that Elsevier’s sharing policy for the Published Journal Article applies to this version, see: https://www.elsevier.com/about/ policies-and-standards/sharing#4-published-journal-article. Please also note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

2026-07-02T00:00:00Z Green, J Fairman, R Hannigan, B Derwig, J Adhyaru, J Barber, V Banstola, A Bisson, JI Brewin, C Crisford, P Hassan, F Hawthorne, J-A Kocsis, A Semedo, C Strelitz, J https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33552 2026-07-03T02:01:06Z 2026-06-25T00:00:00Z

Title: An evaluative case study of the mental  health and wellbeing response to the Grenfell Tower fire; Lessons for disaster preparedness and management Authors: Green, J; Fairman, R; Hannigan, B; Derwig, J; Adhyaru, J; Barber, V; Banstola, A; Bisson, JI; Brewin, C; Crisford, P; Hassan, F; Hawthorne, J-A; Kocsis, A; Semedo, C; Strelitz, J Abstract: Background: The Grenfell Tower fire, London, in 2017 caused 72 deaths, and mass evacuations. This evaluative case study examines the disaster response, particularly the mental health and wellbeing programme delivered by statutory services, notably the NHS and local government (RBKC). It explores what they did, and how they worked together and with voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) to identify key lessons for the planning of disaster responses. Methods: The study focused on the first two years of the response. Data was gathered from publicly available sources and interviews with key informants. Uncertainties and missing information were clarified with organisations. A timeline of the response was created as well as an overview of key lessons for future responses. Results: In national guidance RBKC was responsible for co-ordinating the longer-term recovery response. That was difficult because it had lost the trust of the local community. The NHS had to go beyond its assigned role of treatment and advice, which was too narrowly envisaged in national guidance. Both mental health and wellbeing need to be addressed after a disaster. Wellbeing is poorly defined, inadequately measured and rarely researched. Local and national VSOs played a vital role, but our understanding of the details is incomplete, as for most disaster responses. Conclusions: Local communities must be fully involved in decisions about recovery programmes. Mental health and wellbeing are not synonymous but closely linked. Far more people will be injured psychologically than physically in a disaster. Large disasters require multi-agency partnerships sharing expertise and resources, rather than tasks being allocated between organisations through commissioning. There is a need to further develop and disseminate evidence-based mental health interventions delivered by non-experts as part of these partnerships. Training needs to teach practical skills as well as awareness. These lessons are also relevant to mainstream mental health services. Description: Data availability: The data supporting this study comprise an exceptionally large volume of third party publicly available documents, the core Public Inquiry report alone is more than 2500 pages long. We have referenced documents used for this paper within the text. Links to these documents are in the bibliography. As noted in the paper information on aggregate activity and spend for mental health were provided by CNWL in response to our queries Grenfell.wellbeingservice@nhs.net. We cannot make transcripts of interviews available due to ethical and confidentiality restrictions. Guaranteeing confidentiality was essential to achieve recruitment and to ensure respondents felt able to speak freely. A separate qualitative report is in preparation. This will include analyses and anonymised quotations as is usual in qualitative reports.

2026-06-25T00:00:00Z