title: Are health and well-being strategies in England fit for purpose? A thematic content analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 1 April 2013, local authority (LA) health and well-being boards (HWBs) in England are required to publish a health and well-being strategy (HWS). HWSs should identify how population health needs are to be addressed. The extent to which this has been achieved is not known. We analysed HWSs to assess how LAs have interpreted statutory guidance, how evidence has been used within HWSs and the relationship of HWSs to Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative thematic content analysis of a random sample of one-third of upper tier LA HWSs in 2013-14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty out of 152 LAs were sampled and 47 HWSs analysed. Strategies varied in timescale, length and structure. The term 'evidence' was used most commonly referring to local need, rather than evidence of effectiveness. All, except two, referred to JSNAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HWSs are dominated by evidence of need and could be strengthened by greater use of evidence of effectiveness for public health interventions. Public health agencies and academics can support the development of effective HWSs by improving the accessibility of evidence and conducting research when evidence is absent. To strengthen HWSs' impact, the statutory guidance should clarify the distinction between evidence of need and evidence of effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Fuse, UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beenstock
authors.affiliation: Fuse, UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sowden
authors.affiliation: Fuse, UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Centre for Public Policy and Health, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University Queen's Campus, Stockton on Tees, UK.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: Fuse, UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: management and policy; organizations; public health