Professor Karen Hughes
Professor of Public Health
Professor Karen Hughes is Research and Capacity Development Manager at Public Health Wales and directs the work of the Public Health Wales Research and Evaluation Hot House, based at Bangor University. Karen has a broad public health research portfolio with particular focus on violence prevention, adverse childhood experiences, alcohol use, youth risk behaviours and nightlife health. She has published over 70 academic papers and a wide range of national and international reports to inform public health policy and practice. Karen has acted as an expert advisor to organisations including the World Health Organization, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Department of Health and National Institute for Health Research.
Publications
2025
- PublishedAdverse childhood and school experiences: a retrospective cross-sectional study examining their associations with health-related behaviours and mental health
Elizabeth, K., Bellis, M., Ford, K., Sharp, C., Hopkins, J., Hill, R. & Cresswell, K., 18 Feb 2025, In: BMC Public Health. 25, 672
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of printTrauma Exposure in Adulthood and Suicidal Experiences in Serving and Ex-Serving Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Angelakis, I., Molina, J., Winter, C., Ford, K., Kitchiner, N. & Elizabeth, K., 7 Apr 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. p. 1-10
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTrauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (TrACE)-informed training for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) practitioners in Wales: understanding current provision and gaps
Judd, N., Ford, K., Cresswell, K., Fellows, R. & Hughes, K., 5 Mar 2025
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
2024
- PublishedA retrospective cross-sectional study to explore the intergenerational continuity of adverse childhood experiences within a UK prisoner population
Ford, K., Bellis, M., Hughes, K. & Judd, N., 30 Aug 2024, p. A19.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review - PublishedAssociations between adverse childhood experiences and trust in health and other information from public services, professionals and wider sources: national cross sectional survey
Bellis, M., Elizabeth, K., Ford, K., Sharp, C. & Hill, R., 9 Jul 2024, In: BMJ Public Health. 2, 1, e000868.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedClimate change and health in Wales: Views from the public: A demographic breakdown of data
Judd, N., Wood, S. & Elizabeth, K., 4 Apr 2024, Prifysgol Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedThe Commercial Determinants of Violence: Identifying Opportunities for Violence Prevention through a Public Health-Based Framework Analysis
Bellis, M., McManus, S., Elizabeth, K., Adisa, O. & Ford, K., 15 Mar 2024, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 21, 3, 352.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2023
- PublishedACEtimation—The Combined Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Violence, Health-Harming Behaviors, and Mental Ill-Health: Findings across England and Wales
Amos, R., Cresswell, K., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 23 Aug 2023, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20, 17, 663.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedComparing relationships between single types of adverse childhood experiences and health-related outcomes: a combined primary data study of eight cross-sectional surveys in England and Wales
Bellis, M., Hughes, K., Cresswell, K. & Ford, K., 17 Apr 2023, In: BMJ Open. 13, 4, e072916.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIs parental unemployment associated with increased risk of adverse childhood experiences? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Judd, N., Hughes, K., Bellis, M., Hardcastle, K. & Amos, R., 29 Nov 2023, In: Journal of Public Health. 45, 4, p. 829-839 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMeasuring changes in adult health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relationship with adverse childhood experiences and current social assets: a cross-sectional survey
Bellis, M., Hughes, K., Ford, K. & Lowey, H., 24 Aug 2023, In: BMC Public Health. 23, 1, p. 1618 1618.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2022
- PublishedA rapid review of the impact of office layout on employee health, productivity and sustainability
Ford, K., Griffith, N., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., May 2022, Wrexham: Bangor University. 10 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedAdolygiad cyflym o effaith cynllun swyddfa ar iechyd, cynhyrchiant a chynaliadwyedd gweithwyr
Ford, K., Griffith, N., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 13 May 2022, Wrexham : Bangor University. 10 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedAdverse Childhood Experiences and Their Relationship with Poor Sexual Health Outcomes: Results from Four Cross-Sectional Surveys
Wood, S., Ford, K., Madden, H. C. E., Sharp, C. A., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 21 Jul 2022, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19, 14, 8869.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAdverse childhood experiences and COVID-19 in Bolton
Ford, K., Hughes, K., Janssen, H. & Bellis, M., 13 Jun 2022, Wrexham: Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedAn evaluation of a short film promoting kindness in Wales during COVID‑19 restrictions #TimeToBeKind
Ford, K., Bellis, M., Hill, R. & Hughes, K., 24 Mar 2022, In: BMC Public Health. 22, 1, 14 p., 583.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAn evaluation of the Time to Move workplace physical activity intervention
Ford, K., Sharp, C., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., Sept 2022, In: European Journal of Public Health. 32, Supplement_2
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAssociations between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Lifetime Experience of Car Crashes and Burns: A Cross-Sectional Study
Ford, K., Hughes, K., Cresswell, K., Griffith, N. & Bellis, M., 30 Nov 2022, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19, 23, 16036.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAssociations between adverse childhood experiences, attitudes towards COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine hesitancy: a cross-sectional study
Bellis, M., Hughes, K., Ford, K., Madden, H., Glendinning, F. & Wood, S., 1 Feb 2022, In: BMJ Open. 12, 2, p. e053915
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedClimate Change and Health in Wales: Views from the public
Wood, S., Hughes, K., Hill, R., Judd, N. & Bellis, M. A., 22 Sept 2022, 23 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedImpacts of a workplace physical activity intervention on employee physical activity & mental health for NHS staff in Wales: an evaluation of the pilot Time to Move initiative
Ford, K., Bellis, M., Hughes, K. & Sharp, C., 1 Mar 2022, In: International Journal of Population Data Science. 7, 2, 1 p., 4.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › peer-review - PublishedParental Adverse Childhood Experiences and Perpetration of Child Physical Punishment in Wales
Hughes, K., Ford, K., Bellis, M. & Amos, R., 4 Oct 2022, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19, 19, 6 p., 12702.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe impact of COVID-19 on mental wellbeing: implications for North Wales and how they could be addressed
Ford, K., Judd, N., Griffith, N., Hughes, K. & Gwenter, L., 18 Aug 2022, Wrexham: Bangor University. 97 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedThe use of mobile phone applications to enhance personal safety from interpersonal violence – an overview of available smartphone applications in the United Kingdom
Ford, K., Bellis, M., Judd, N., Griffith, N. & Hughes, K., 9 Jun 2022, In: BMC Public Health. 22, 1, 12 p., 1158.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedAdult support during childhood: a retrospective study of trusted adult relationships, sources of personal adult support and their association with childhood resilience resources
Ashton, K., Davies, A. R., Hughes, K., Ford, K., Cotter-Roberts, A. & Bellis, M., 27 Jun 2021, In: BMC Psychology. 9, 1, 1 p., 101.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Bolton: Impacts on health, wellbeing and resilience
Ford, K., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., Dec 2021, Public Health Wales; Bangor University. 35 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedHealth and financial costs of adverse childhood experiences in 28 European countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hughes, K., Ford, K., Bellis, M., Glendinning, F., Harrison, E. & Passmore, J., 1 Nov 2021, In: Lancet Public Health. 6, 11, p. e848-e857
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Trends over time and socio-economic differences in health and wellbeing: Key findings for week 58
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 21 May 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 64 (21st to 27th June 2021) and long-COVID
Hughes, K., Judd, N., Wood, S. & Bellis, M., 2 Jul 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 66 (5th to 14th July 2021*)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 23 Jul 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 68 (19th to 25th July 2021)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 30 Jul 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 70 (2nd to 8th August 2021)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 13 Aug 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 72 (16th to 23rd August 2021*)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 27 Aug 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 74 (30th August to 5th September 2021)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 10 Sept 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 76 (13th to 19th September 2021)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 24 Sept 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedHow are we doing in Wales? Public Engagement Survey on Health and Wellbeing during Coronavirus Measures: Week 78 (27th September to 4th October 2021)
Hughes, K., Judd, N. & Bellis, M., 8 Oct 2021, Public Health Wales .
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedPerceptions of a short animated film on adverse childhood experiences: a mixed methods evaluation
Ford, K., Bellis, M. A., Isherwood, K. & Hughes, K., 17 Aug 2021, In: BMJ Open. 11, 8, e050398.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedProfiadau Niweidiol mewn Plentyndod (ACEs) a Diabetes | Adolygiad byr
Ford, K., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 25 May 2021, Public Health Wales; Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedSTOP-sexual violence: evaluation of a community-based nightlife worker awareness raising bystander training programme
Quigg, Z., Bellis, M. A., Hughes, K., Kulhanek, A., Brito, I., Ross-Houle, K., Bigland, C., Calafat, A. & Duch, M., Jun 2021, In: European Journal of Public Health. 31, 3, p. 659–664
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe impact of behavioural risk factors on communicable diseases: a systematic review of reviews
Wood, S., Harrison, S., Judd, N., Bellis, M., Hughes, K. & Jones, A., 17 Nov 2021, In: BMC Public Health. 21, 1, 2110.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe utility of Amies charcoal bacteriology swabs for storage of canine urine prior to culture
Olivares, G., Hermes, D., Manzanilla, E., Hughes, K., Clarke, L. & Warland, J., Mar 2021, In: JOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE. 62, 3, p. 216-222
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2020
- PublishedA rapid assessment of reopening nightlife whilst containing COVID-19 and preventing violence: Full report
Janssen, H., Cresswell, K., Judd, N., Hughes, K., Snowdon, L., Barton, E., Jones, D., Wood, S. & Bellis, M., 2020, Uned Atal Trais - Violence Prevention Unit.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Diabetes | A brief review
Hughes, K., Ford, K. & Bellis, M., 25 May 2020, Public Health Wales; Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedAdverse Childhood Experiences in child refugee and asylum seeking populations
Wood, S., Ford, K., Hardcastle, K., Hopkins, J., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 23 Apr 2020, Public Health Wales NHS Trust. 44 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report › peer-review - PublishedAdverse childhood experiences: a retrospective study to understand their associations with lifetime mental health diagnosis, self-harm or suicide attempt, and current low mental wellbeing in a male Welsh prison population
Ford, K., Bellis, M., Hughes, K., Barton, E. & Newbury, A., 12 Jun 2020, In: BMC Health & Justice. 8, 1, 13.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHealth and financial burden of adverse childhood experiences in England and Wales: a combined primary data study of five surveys
Hughes, K., Ford, K., Kadel, R., Sharp, C. & Bellis, M., 7 Jun 2020, In: BMJ Open. 10, 6, 9 p., e036374.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPublic acceptability of public health policy to improve population health: a population-based survey
Sharp, C., Bellis, M., Hughes, K., Ford, K. & Di Lemma, L., Aug 2020, In: Health Expectations. 23, 4, p. 802-812 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnderstanding the association between self-reported poor oral health and exposure to adverse childhood experiences: a retrospective study
Ford, K., Brocklehurst, P., Hughes, K., Sharp, C. & Bellis, M., 14 Feb 2020, In: BMC Oral Health. 20, 1, p. 51 9 p., 51.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnderstanding the outcome of police safeguarding notifications to social services in South Wales
Ford, K., Newbury, A., Meredith, Z., Evans, J., Hughes, K., Roderick, J., Davies, A. R. & Bellis, M., 1 Jun 2020, In: The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. 93, 2, p. 87-108 21 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedAdverse childhood experiences, childhood relationships and associated substance use and mental health in young Europeans
Hughes, K., Bellis, M. A., Sethi, D., Andrew, R., Yon, Y., Wood, S., Ford, K., Baban, A., Boderscova, L., Kachaeva, M., Makaruk, K., Markovic, M., Povilaitis, R., Raleva, M., Terzic, N., Veleminsky, M., Włodarczyk, J. & Zakhozha, V., 1 Aug 2019, In: European Journal of Public Health. 29, 4, p. 741-747 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedFraming a public health approach to gambling harms in Wales: Challenges and opportunities
Rogers, R., Wardle, H., Sharp, C., Dymond, S., Davies, T., Hughes, K. & Astbury, G., 29 Jan 2019, Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedGambling as a public health issue
Sharp, C., Wardle, H., Wood, S., Hughes, K., Davies, T., Dymond, S., Bellis, M. & Rogers, R., 13 Mar 2019.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedGambling as a public health issue in Wales
Rogers, R., Wardle, H., Sharp, C., Wood, S., Hughes, K., Davies, T., Dymond, S. & Bellis, M., 29 Jan 2019, Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review - PublishedIdeal, expected and perceived descriptive norm drunkenness in UK nightlife environments: a cross-sectional study
Hughes, K., Quigg, Z., Ford, K. & Bellis, M., 27 Apr 2019, In: BMC Public Health. 19, 1, 7 p., 442.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedLife course health consequences and associated annual costs of adverse childhood experiences across Europe and North America: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Bellis, M. A., Hughes, K., Ford, K., Ramos Rodriguez, G., Sethi, D. & Passmore, J., Oct 2019, In: Lancet Public Health. 4, 10, p. e517-e528
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedResponding to Adverse Childhood Experiences: An evidence review of interventions to prevent and address adversity across the life course
Di Lemma, L., Davies, A. R., Ford, K., Hughes, K., Homolova, L., Gray, B. & Richardson, G., 13 May 2019, Public Health Wales; Bangor University. 44 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report › peer-review - PublishedStay Well in Wales
Sharp, C., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 13 Mar 2019.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedStay Well in Wales Super Profiles: Who thinks what about the nation's health
Sharp, C., Hughes, K., Di Lemma, L. & Bellis, M., 13 Mar 2019, Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report › peer-review - PublishedStay Well in Wales: the public's views on public health
Sharp, C., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 27 Feb 2019.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedThe evidence base for routine enquiry into adverse childhood experiences: A scoping review
Ford, K., Hughes, K., Hardcastle, K., Di Lemma, L., Davies, A., Edwards, S. & Bellis, M., May 2019, In: Child Abuse and Neglect. 91, May, p. 131-146 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUwch Broffiliau Cadw'n Iach yng Nghymru: Pwy sy'n medel beth am iechyd y genedl
Sharp, C., Hughes, K., Di Lemma, L. & Bellis, M., 13 Mar 2019, Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report › peer-review
2018
- PublishedDoes adult alcohol consumption combine with adverse childhood experiences to increase involvement in violence in men and women? A cross-sectional study in England and Wales
Bellis, M. A., Hughes, K., Ford, K., Edwards, S., Sharples, O., Hardcastle, K. & Wood, S., 6 Dec 2018, In: BMJ Open. 8, 12, 10 p., e020591.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSTAD in Europe (SiE): Process and outcome evaluation of Wrexham's Drink Less Enjoy More intervention
Butler, N., Quigg, Z., Bates, R., Ross-Houle, K., Hughes, K. & Bellis, M., 13 Oct 2018, Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University. 75 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review - PublishedSources of childhood and adult resilience and their impact on harms associated with adverse childhood experiences
Hughes, K., Ford, K. & Bellis, M., 1 Nov 2018, In: Injury Prevention. 24, Supplement 2, p. A110
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2016
- PublishedAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Hertfordshire, Luton and Northamptonshire
Ford, K., Butler, N., Hughes, K., Quigg, Z. & Bellis, M., May 2016, Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report