Public Health Wales have published a series of data insights as part of the Better Outcomes Through Linked Data (BOLD) programme, which aims to link administrative data sites to inform policy and transform services for vulnerable individuals and those with complex needs.

The BOLD programme was a collaboration between Public Health Wales, the Welsh government, and the UK Department for Health and Social Care, Ministry of Justice and Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government. The programme completed this month.

The BOLD research team, involving Public Health Wales, SAIL Databank and ADR Wales, created a bold substance misuse research programme, which took up a life course approach and covered four key areas for policy and service improvement. These are: intergenerational substance use, prevention and early engagement to reduce escalation, educing reoffending, and substance misuse treatment effectiveness.

This research is to be presented at the BOLD Wales Showcase in March and at conferences and workshops throughout the year, alongside other peer-review publications.