Public involvement in SALIENT
The Problem
Food systems are complex and changing them to promote healthy, sustainable diets is far from straight forward. Many public health interventions tends to focus on individual-level behaviour change to improve diet. As such interventions do not affect the structure of the food system, they tend to find less resistance in the public and with other stakeholders (e.g. politicians, the food industry). However, upstream interventions (where changes are made to the structures of the food system) are considered by some to limit free choice and may impact on existing business models. Therefore, consulting public contributors about the acceptability, presentation, and potential benefits of upstream interventions is key to maximising their acceptability and feasibility, as well as informing effective communication of evidence.
The approach
The public involvement work is structured around three groups that will meet at least quarterly, at staggered intervals. Members of the SALIENT team can attend these meetings and book a slot to present to the groups. These groups advise on research and delivery issues including implementation; plans for evaluation; advice on recruitment and communication strategies, and perceptions of acceptability.
Group 1: a Community Network Group (CNG)
This group comprises of 8 members of the public who are leaders and/or gatekeepers in their communities. CNG members are recruited from a diversity of groups and locations. As well as offering their own opinions, the CNG also consult members of their communities on emergent project issues and report back to the wider group. Trial teams can pose questions to the CNG that will then be disseminated through their respective networks.
Group 2: Patient experience and public involvement group (PIRG)
This group sits at the University of Hertfordshire and consists of members of the public, service users and carers. We meet regularly with the full group and with a sub-group of the PIRg, who have expressed a particular interest in the project.
Group 3: Young person's advisory group (YPAG)
This group also sits at the University of Hertfordshire and consists of around 17 young people aged 8 to 19.