These short sessions cover a wide variety of public health topics and aim to develop professionals’ awareness and practice around the subjects covered.
At a typical 'Want to know more about...' session you will:
- learn how to identify the public health issue being covered
- discover local services that are working to improve the issue
- understand ways you can help, should you choose to
The sessions are free of charge and are presented by friendly and knowledgeable facilitators who are experts in their fields, including specialists from the Leeds Public Health team.
Upcoming sessions
Want to know more about… Blood Pressure
Tuesday 2 September, 10am to 11am
In Leeds, about 100,000 people may have high blood pressure but don’t know it. This webinar is being delivered just before ‘Know Your Numbers’ week, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of knowing your blood pressure numbers. This session is for anyone who wants to learn more about blood pressure and how they can support other people to ‘know their numbers’.
This session will cover:
- what is blood pressure and hypertension?
- the risk factors and how you can reduce your risk
- where you can get your own blood pressure checked and where to signpost people
- examples of recent public health work to address high blood pressure in Leeds, including the Seacroft Blood Pressure Project and community grants delivered in Inner South Leeds
- hear from Leeds Health Awareness who will be sharing examples of BP community outreach
- where to access resources for professionals and resources that can be used to support the public
This session will be delivered by Lydia Robson, Health Improvement Specialist, from Leeds Public Health, and Megan Arundel from Leeds Health Awareness.
Want to know more about... Falls Prevention: everyone has a role to play
Wednesday 17 September 2025, 9:30am to 10:30am
Falls Prevention Week is an opportunity to raise awareness across the workforce about the risks of falls and the simple but powerful ways we can all contribute to reducing them. Whether you’re supporting people directly, coordinating care, or working behind the scenes, this online session is designed to inform and inspire. Attendees will gain insight into the local falls prevention pathway, hear directly from prevention services, and explore their role in promoting safety and well-being.
This webinar will cover:
- key messages for Falls Prevention Week and why they matter
- how everyone, regardless of role, can support falls prevention
- an overview of the local falls prevention pathway
- real-life insights from local falls prevention services
- communication tips to raise awareness among colleagues and patients
This session will be delivered online by Helen Laird and Hannah McGurk (Public Health Ageing Well team), Jo Brayshaw (Leeds Community Healthcare), and colleagues from the Home Plus service and Strength and Balance service.
Want to know more about... rough sleeper access to healthcare
Thursday 2 October, 10 to 11:30am
The health of rough sleepers is considerably worse than the general population and this is particularly starkly demonstrated in terms of life expectancy. Rough sleepers have a mean age of death of 45 years for men and 43 years for women, compared to 82.3 years for males and 85.8 years for females in the general population (Office for National Statistics (2022). Rough sleepers are an inclusion health cohort.
From 10 to 11am, this session will cover:
- the role of multi-morbidity/tri-morbidity/multiple complex needs
- particular issues faced by female rough sleepers
- the role of stigma as a barrier to healthcare for rough sleepers
- the importance of person-centred care
Those who want to hear about the original qualitative research behind this content have the option to stay on the MS Teams call from 11 to 11:30am, and will discover how it helps address some research gaps around female rough sleepers.
This session will be delivered by Magdalena Boo from Leeds City Council's Public Health Drug and Alcohol team, and part-time PhD researcher.
Want to know more about... how the environment shapes our health
Monday 13 October, midday to 1pm
Over time the food environment has changed. The places we live, work and play are now overloaded with easy-to-access, cheap, nutrient-poor food which is high in fat, sugar, and salt. How we interact with food has also changed with many people now eating out as part of everyday life where we are provided with supersize portions, price incentives and product placement strategies that encourage and normalise unhealthy food options. This webinar aims to highlight the latest evidence on the impact of the food environment on food options. It will also outline the strategies Leeds City Council is undertaking to increase availability of healthier options. This session is suitable for anyone who would like to learn more about the impact of the food environment and consider how they can support local action.
This session will cover:
- factors that influence food options
- the national food environment evidence and insight for Leeds
- strategic context for food environment work including the Leeds Food Strategy and Healthy Weight Declaration
- overview of the food environment work plan delivered by Leeds City Council including the new Youth Food Manifesto
- examples and ideas of work that can be undertaken from partner organisations
This session will be delivered by Emma Strachan and Deb Lowe, Health Improvement Specialists from the Leeds Public Health team.
Want to know more about... films
Some of the 'Want to know more about…' sessions are recorded and published to YouTube.
You can watch recorded webinars and other training films on the Leeds Public Health Training playlist on YouTube, at a time that is suitable to you. If you attended a session that was recorded, this is where it will be published.
Leeds Public Health training playlist
Delivering a want to know more about… session
If you are interested in delivering a 'Want to know more about...' session to raise awareness of a particular public health issue or service, please contact us at phforall@leeds.gov.uk for a discussion.
