ADPH
Reducing infant mortality in Sheffield
No one element made the difference when it came to reducing Sheffield’s disproportionately high infant mortality rates, says Greg Fell – instead a 20-year commitment reaped incredible rewards.
When prevention is the real cure
Greg Fell draws from examples across the British Isles to highlight some of the work done by directors of public health to support residents to lead longer and healthier lives.
Taking public health right to the top
Many directors of public health have the leadership approach, experience and technical ability to make excellent chief executives and they need the opportunities to reach the top role, says Julia Weldon.
Why climate change is health’s biggest threat
The health risks from climate change are considerable, but directors of public health are ideally placed to ensure initiatives are implemented in the right way, to the right people, say Greg Fell and Darrell Gale.
Councils need support to save local lives
The Government’s new suicide prevention strategy, while welcome, underplays the vital work being done at a local level, and more resources and sustainable funding are required, says Professor Jim McManus.
Building health security
A new report highlights how a top-down response hindered efforts to tackle the Covid pandemic in three main ways. These failures must not be repeated in the next crisis, says James Sweetland.
The importance of the local
The local levers to achieve preventative change have often been badly understood by Governments and the interplay between local and national responsibility highlighted during the pandemic needs to be improved, says Professor Jim McManus.
Minding the health gap
National and local governments can help drive the change needed to start narrowing the unacceptable health inequalities gaps between various groups. Professor Jim McManus and Julia Weldon explain
Pandemic planning 'insufficient,' says public health chief
The Government’s lack of planning and top-down approach hindered directors of public health during the pandemic, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard.
Poor pandemic planning criticised
Public health directors have delivered a withering assessment of the Government’s Covid-19 preparedness – warning Whitehall must fully utilise council expertise to avoid a catastrophic repeat.
The drugs won’t work
Short-term strategies like the latest drugs pilot to tackle obesity won’t fix the problem, says Professor Jim McManus. Bold decision-making that puts health at the heart of all policy is needed.
Systems for better health outcomes
With the cost of living crisis still raging, Ann McGauran looks at how people's health is being impacted and how Integrated Care Systems and their partners can support those most at risk.
Health creation for our nation
Largely preventable disease will always be an issue if the underlying determinants of health aren’t addressed, says Jim McManus.
ICSs yet to achieve equal partnership, MPs hear
Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) still have some way to go before achieving an equal partnership between health and social care, a panel of experts has said.
McManus: Public health cuts drive up NHS demand
Cuts to the public health budget have been a ‘net driver of people into NHS services,’ the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Devolution has heard.
Sector bids for key Covid inquiry role
Local government is bidding to have a key role in the looming coronavirus inquiry.
The heat is on
Professor Jim McManus sets out the tasks ahead for directors of public health in response to changes in the climate, adding we must do all we can to achieve net zero by 2050.
Government urged to overhaul public health laws
Public health leaders have the Government to overhaul legislation as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) sheds temporary workers taken on during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building a health protection system fit for today and tomorrow
A lack of funding could turn a ‘tale of two pandemics’ into a ‘tale of two recoveries’, with some of the most deprived areas less able to support their communities, says Professor Jim McManus.
Government must support councils on the COVID frontline
If the financial pressure for councils due to COVID is continuing then government support must follow – including the continuation of the Contain Outbreak Management Fund, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton of SIGOMA.