Public Health Scotland Update

13 November 2025

Welcome to the November edition of the Public Health Scotland Newsletter. The past month has seen the release of a new blog, publications and the latest health news from the Public Health Scotland website. We encourage you to browse our latest updates and gain an insight into how we are working towards a Scotland where everybody thrives.

New study shows long-term effectiveness of HPV vaccine

An encouraging new study by Public Health Scotland, in collaboration with the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde, confirms the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine provides strong and sustained protection against cervical disease that can develop into cancer.

Scale of obesity challenge in Scotland highlighted by new research

New research from PHS, conducted in collaboration with Sciensano and recently published in Public Health, the journal of the Royal Society of Public Health, projects a surge in the number of adult cases of excess weight in Scotland by 2040.

With this year’s flu season starting early, find out how to stay protected

Flu season has arrived about a month earlier than usual in Scotland, and cases are rising rapidly. In this blog, Dr Kim Marsh, Viral Respiratory Pathogens lead, updates on the evolving situation and the importance of vaccination given the early start to the flu season.

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility: changes over time

In this blog, Consultant in Public Health from our Vaccination and Immunisation Division, Dr Daniel Chandler, outlines changes to this year’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Changes to reporting of NHS Scotland waiting times make for more relevant and timely statistics

In this blog, our Director of Data and Digital Innovation and Head of Profession for Statistics, Scott Heald, talks through a major development in how we report waiting times for NHS Scotland.

Community Food Matters: What stakeholders told us and why it counts

Alison Owens, Health Improvement Manager, discusses Public Health Scotland’s engagement with the community food sector and the opportunities involving them in local decision-making brings.

Scottish Cardiac Audit Programme (SCAP)

The Scottish Cardiac Audit Programme (SCAP) was set up to improve care and outcomes for cardiac patients through the collection and use of data on the treatments they receive. This is the fourth annual report that summarises the statistics generated from these data.

View the report

NHS Stop Smoking Services Scotland

This annual release by PHS provides an annual update on statistics from NHS Stop Smoking Services in Scotland for the period April 2024 to March 2025, including trend data from 2015/16.

View the report

Evaluation of the Scottish Government Residential Rehabilitation programme

This report presents the results of two data collection exercises as part of the PHS evaluation of the Scottish Government's Residential Rehabilitation Programme.

View the report

Public Health Scotland Update

News and updates

New study shows long-term effectiveness of HPV vaccine

Scale of obesity challenge in Scotland highlighted by new research

From our blog

With this year’s flu season starting early, find out how to stay protected

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility: changes over time

Changes to reporting of NHS Scotland waiting times make for more relevant and timely statistics

Community Food Matters: What stakeholders told us and why it counts

New publications

Scottish Cardiac Audit Programme (SCAP)

NHS Stop Smoking Services Scotland

Evaluation of the Scottish Government Residential Rehabilitation programme