Embedding Public Health Practice Amongst Allied Health Professionals: A Rapid Scoping Review of International Approaches.

The UK Allied Health Professions Public Health Strategic Framework outlines their commitment to embed disease prevention and public health into allied health practice roles. Yet there is no clear guidance on how best to embed public health into practice. The aim of this study was to examine international approaches which embed public health practices amongst allied health professionals (AHPs). Given the exploratory nature of this study, a rapid scoping review was conducted. Seventy unique references reporting 69 studies were included representing a breadth of countries, extensive timeline (1987-2022) and different AHPs. Worldwide, AHPs are involved in all four domains of public health outlined in the UK Allied Health Professions Public Health Strategic Framework model. Best practice was evidenced in the form of well-designed studies (n=21) which reported the effectiveness of AHPs public health practice. Nine key success factors for embedding public health approaches within AHP practice were identified. Embedding public health practice should involve interventions targeting AHPs' behaviour change and behaviour change techniques targeting barriers to and facilitators for AHPs' public health practice. Multi/interdisciplinary working, innovative settings/roles, culturally tailored public health interventions along with cultural competence as a core skill should also be encouraged.

The impact of Allied Health Professionals on the primary and secondary prevention of obesity in young children: A scoping review.

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) have the capacity to promote healthy behaviours in young children through routine 'contact points', as well as structured weight management programmes. This scoping review aims to evaluate the impact of AHPs in the prevention of obesity in young children. Databases were searched for relevant evidence between 1st January 2000 and 17th January 2022. Eligibility criteria included primary evidence (including, but not limited to; randomized controlled trials, observational studies, service evaluations) evaluating the impact of AHPs on the primary and secondary prevention of obesity in young children (mean age under 5 years old). AHP-related interventions typically demonstrated improvements in outcomes such as nutritional behaviour (e.g. lower sweetened drink intake), with some reductions in screen time. However, changes in weight outcomes (e.g. body mass index (BMI) z-score, BMI) in response to an AHP intervention were inconsistent. There was insufficient data to determine moderating effects, however tentative evidence suggests that those with a lower socioeconomic status or living in an underprivileged area may be more likely to lose weight following an AHP intervention. There was no evidence identified evaluating how AHPs use routine 'contact points' in the prevention of obesity in young children. AHP interventions could be effective in optimizing weight and nutritional outcomes in young children. However, more research is required to determine how routine AHP contact points, across the range of professional groups may be used in the prevention of obesity in young children.