The government began consultation on proposals (in its July 2010 White Paper) in respect of funding and commissioning routes for public health in England, including a ring-fenced budget provided to local authorities.
Source: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Consultation on the Funding and Commissioning Routes for Public Health, Department of Health
Links: Consultation document | Hansard
Date: 2010-Dec
A report examined health issues in European countries, including the factors that affected the health of populations and the performance of health systems. It used 42 indicators to present comparable data covering a wide range of topics, including health status, risk factors, health workforce, and health expenditure.
Source: Health at a Glance: Europe 2010, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Links: Report | OECD press release | WHO press release | BBC report
Date: 2010-Dec
An article examined the extent to which social capital could promote individual well-being in the form of good physical and mental health.
Source: Francesca Borgonovi, 'A life-cycle approach to the analysis of the relationship between social capital and health in Britain', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 71 Issue 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Dec
A report examined how frequently alcohol was shown or mentioned in top 'soaps' on television, and how it was portrayed to viewers. Over one-third (38 per cent) of soap opera air time featured verbal or visual mentions of alcohol: but the negative consequences of drinking to excess were rarely shown.
Source: Alcohol and Soaps: Drinkaware media analysis 2010, Drinkaware
Links: Report | Drinkaware press release | Portman Group press release
Date: 2010-Dec
The government began consultation on proposals for a public health outcomes framework in England. It considered how to: protect the population's health from major emergencies; tackle factors that affected health and well-being and health inequalities; help people to live healthy lifestyles and make healthy choices; prevent ill-health; and prevent people from dying prematurely.
Source: Proposals for a Public Health Outcomes Framework, Department of Health
Links: Consultation document | Hansard | DH press release
Date: 2010-Dec
The government published (following consultation) its new drug strategy, setting out a 'fundamentally different' approach to preventing drug use and in supporting recovery from drug and alcohol dependence. The strategy proposed:
• Putting more responsibility on individuals to seek help and overcome dependency.
• A more 'holistic' approach by addressing issues such as offending, employment, and housing.
• Reducing demand.
• Cracking down on those involved in drug supply, both at home and abroad.
• Putting power and accountability in the hands of local communities to tackle drugs and the harms they caused.
Source: Drug Strategy 2010: Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery – Supporting people to live a drug free life, Home Office
Links: Strategy | Hansard | Home Office press release | Impact assessment | Equality impact assessment | Consultation responses | Consultation document | Conservative Party press release | Alcohol Learning Centre press release | Alcohol Policy UK press release | Childrens Society press release | DEF press release | DrugScope press release | NTA press release | RCPsych press release | Turning Point press release | Guardian report | Community Care report | BBC report
Date: 2010-Dec
An article examined the role of sectors making and selling fast food and alcoholic beverages (or associated products) in influencing policy and decision-making on the regulation of their products for health reasons.
Source: David Miller and Claire Harkins, 'Corporate strategy, corporate capture: food and alcohol industry lobbying and public health', Critical Social Policy, Volume 30 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Nov
A report examined the role of local government in supporting health improvement and tackling health inequalities, and analyzed the structure of support needed locally to deliver effective action for communities.
Source: Janet Sillett, All's Well that Ends Well? Local government leading on health improvement, Local Government Information Unit
Date: 2010-Nov
The government published the outcome of a review of alcohol taxation (based on 'informal consultation'). It said that it planned to introduce an additional duty on the most alcoholic beers (about 1 per cent of all beers) and a reduced rate of duty on beers with the lowest alcohol content.
Source: Review of Alcohol Taxation, HM Treasury
Links: Report | Hansard | Alcohol Concern press release | SNP press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | Inside Housing report | Community Care report
Date: 2010-Nov
Two linked studies examined how young children (aged 5-12) learned about alcohol in the family context. The home was an important source of learning about alcohol: but there were gaps in relation to the health consequences of drinking, and the potential risks of drinking outside the home.
Source: Gill Valentine, Mark Jayne, Myles Gould and Julia Keenan, Family Life and Alcohol Consumption: A study of the transmission of drinking practices, Joseph Rowntree Foundation | Douglas Eadie et al., Pre-Teens Learning About Alcohol: Drinking and family contexts, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Report (1) | Summary (1) | Report (2) | Summary (2) | Manchester University press release | Leeds University press release
Date: 2010-Nov
An article examined smoking prevalence before and after the rise in legal age of sale of cigarettes in England and Wales from age 16 to age 18 in October 2007. There was a greater fall in prevalence in those aged 16-17 following an increase in age of sale than in older age groups.
Source: Jennifer Fidler and Robert West, 'Changes in smoking prevalence in 16-17-year-old versus older adults following a rise in legal age of sale: findings from an English population study', Addiction, Volume 105 Issue 11
Links: Abstract | Cancer Research UK press release | UCL press release | BBC report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2010-Nov
The Welsh Assembly Government published an action plan for the promotion of positive sexual health and well-being and the delivery of sexual health services.
Source: Sexual Health and Wellbeing Action Plan for Wales, 2010-2015, Welsh Assembly Government
Links: Action plan | WAG press release
Date: 2010-Nov
The government published a White Paper on a public health strategy for England, designed to tackle premature death and illness and reduce health inequalities. Funding from the overall National Health Service budget ('in the range of £4 billion') would be ring-fenced for spending on public health, and channelled via a new service called Public Health England within the Department of Health. The majority of public health services would be commissioned by local authorities or by the NHS. A new health premium would take into account health inequalities and reward progress on specific public health outcomes. The government would take a 'less intrusive' approach, avoiding central regulation wherever possible, and instead employing a range of evidence-based approaches. The government also published a summary of evidence setting out the state of the nation's health and wellbeing in 2010, designed to inform the development of the White Paper.
Source: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England, Cm 7985, Department of Health/TSO | Our Health and Wellbeing Today, Department of Health Links: White Paper | Impact assessments | Evidence paper | Hansard | DH press release | Conservative Party press release | Liberal Democrats press release | ADASS press release | BHA press release | Bow Group press release | BMA press release | CSP press release | DrugScope press release | HPA press release | Kings Fund press release | LGA press release | NCT press release | NHS Confederation press release | NHS Employers press release | NICE press release | NTA press release | RCGP press release | RCN press release | RCPsych press release | St Mungos press release | Turning Point press release | UKFPH press release | Unite press release | WRVS press release | Guardian report | BBC report | Children & Young People Now report | Community Care report | Morning Star report | Nursing Times report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2010-Nov
A report said that local government should make promoting well-being central to its activities. Action was needed across a range of areas: to set out an overarching vision for well-being locally; to design in well-being evidence across the range of service specifications and commissioning processes; to use community empowerment to promote well-being; and to focus on the well-being of local government staff as a key route to improving it more generally. Local authorities also needed to measure well-being outcomes so that they could track their progress.
Source: Jody Aked, Juliet Michaelson and Nicola Steuer, The Role of Local Government in Promoting Wellbeing, Local Government Improvement and Development
Links: Report | Summary | NEF press release
Date: 2010-Nov
The Scottish Parliament approved a Bill designed to tackle alcohol-related harms by restricting alcohol promotions. Plans for a minimum price for alcohol were removed from the Bill because of a lack of support by opposition MSPs.
Source: Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government/TSO | Scottish Parliament Debate 10 November 2010, columns 30142-30264, Official Report/TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | Official Report | Scottish Government press release | SNP press release | Children 1st press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | Scotsman report
Date: 2010-Nov
A study found that 800 more people could be killed or seriously injured each year in road accidents if all fixed and mobile speed cameras were to be decommissioned.
Source: Richard Allsop, The Effectiveness of Speed Cameras: A review of evidence, RAC Foundation
Links: Report | RAC press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2010-Nov
The report was published of a review of the regulation of public health professionals. It called for the introduction of mandatory regulation of public health consultants and specialists by statutory health professional regulatory bodies.
Source: Gabriel Scally, Review of the Regulation of Public Health Professionals, Department of Health
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Nov
A report said that mental health was a central public health issue and that it should be a priority across all government departments. It called on the government to make a series of important policy changes, including: tackling substance addiction through a minimum alcohol pricing policy and an evidence-based addictions policy; prioritizing mental health within smoking cessation programmes; targeting public mental health interventions at people at higher risk, for example children in care and those who were unemployed or homeless; and promoting the importance of mental health and well-being in older age.
Source: No Health Without Public Mental Health: The case for action, Position Statement PS4/2010, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Links: Report | RCPsych press release | Sane press release | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2010-Oct
A paper summarized the results of a systematic review of published scientific evidence concerning the impact of health checks on the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities.
Source: Janet Robertson, Hazel Roberts and Eric Emerson, Health Checks for People with Learning Disabilities: A systematic review of evidence, Improving Health and Lives Learning Disabilities Observatory
Links: Paper
Date: 2010-Oct
A new book examined the evidence on alcohol advertising and marketing effects on young people. Methodological weaknesses 'abounded' in studies of the purported effects of alcohol advertising and other forms of marketing. The significance of advertising as an agent that shaped young people's alcohol consumption could be weaker than often thought.
Source: Barrie Gunter, Anders Hansen and Maria Touri, Alcohol Advertising and Young People's Drinking: Representation, reception and regulation, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Oct
A think-tank report said that the government needed to make 'good work' central to its health inequalities and jobs strategies. A happier, more fulfilled workforce would create a more productive economy and a more equal society – and consequently be less of a burden on stretched National Health Service resources.
Source: Howard Stoate and Bryan Jones, Work, the Grand Cure: How changing the way Britain works will be good for our health, Fabian Society
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Oct
A study found that approaches that involved members of the public in the delivery of public health programmes could bridge the gap between health services and communities. There needed to be greater recognition of the social skills and life experiences that people brought to healthcare roles; and more investment was needed in support systems to bridge this gap.
Source: Jane South et al., People in Public Health: A study of approaches to develop and support people in public health roles, National Institute for Health Research/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Sep
The new coalition government announced that responsibility for nutrition policy in England would be moved from the Food Standards Agency to the Department of Health with effect from 1 October 2010.
Source: Press release 30 September 2010, Department of Health
Links: DH press release
Date: 2010-Sep
A report highlighted the 'obvious risks' of the new coalition government's policy of reducing the role of regulation in public health. Focusing on personal responsibility, enhancing self-esteem, and empowering healthy choices through social networking could all be effective in changing behaviour – but they often needed the additional support of government action at national or local level. Public opinion was often ahead of the lawmakers and regulators.
Source: Alan Maryon-Davis and Rachael Jolley, Healthy Nudges: When the public wants change and politicians don't know it, Faculty of Public Health
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Sep
A trade union report called on the government to ignore calls from the business lobby to reduce regulation and enforcement in relation to health and safety at work; and to appoint a government 'tsar' for health and safety.
Source: The Case for Health and Safety, Trades Union Congress
Links: Report | TUC press release | People Management report
Date: 2010-Sep
A briefing paper said that a minimum price of 45 pence per unit of alcohol could transfer £700 million from alcohol consumers to retailers and manufacturers. This contrasted with increases in alcohol taxes, which largely resulted in transfers to government. In the long term, it would be desirable to restructure alcohol taxes so that they were based on alcohol strength, thus allowing the tax system to mimic the impact of a minimum price while ensuring that the additional revenues went to the government rather than to firms.
Source: Rachel Griffith and Andrew Leicester, The Impact of a Introducing a Minimum Price on Alcohol in Britain, Briefing Note 109, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Links: Briefing Note | IFS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2010-Sep
An article examined the application of the principles of evidence-based medicine to public health, based on the experience of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England. Key problems included: the breadth of the evidence base, different analytic levels of explanation, and the length of the causal chain between interventions and outcomes in public health.
Source: Michael Kelly et al., 'Evidence based public health: a review of the experience of the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) of developing public health guidance in England', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 71 Issue 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Sep
A new book examined recent policy on illicit drugs. Problematic drug use could only be understood in the social context in which it took place – a context that it shared with other problems of crime and public health.
Source: Alex Stevens, Drugs, Crime and Public Health: The political economy of drug policy, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Sep
The Scottish Government announced that the proposed minimum price for alcohol would be set at 45 pence per unit. It said that the measure would have significant health and social benefits including, in the first year: 50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm; 1,200 fewer hospital admissions; a £5.5 million reduction in healthcare costs; and 22,900 fewer days' absence from work. But the proposal for a minimum price was subsequently defeated in the Scottish Parliament.
Source: Press release 2 September 2010, Scottish Government
Links: Scottish Government press release | BBC report (1) | BBC report (2) | Guardian report
Date: 2010-Sep
An article examined gender differences in the relationship between urban green space and health.
Source: Elizabeth Richardson and Richard Mitchell, 'Gender differences in relationships between urban green space and health in the United Kingdom', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 71 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Aug
Researchers examined the role of primary mental health workers, focusing in particular on their role within education.
Source: Mary Atkinson, Emily Lamont and Barry Wright, The Role of Primary Mental Health Workers in Education, National Foundation for Educational Research
Date: 2010-Aug
An article examined the relationship between mobility and health among pregnant women, new mothers, and infants. Mobility was weakly and non-significantly associated with most health variables with the exception of self-rated health and depression among mothers who moved for negative reasons (such as relationship breakdown or problems with neighbours), or who had been homeless since birth.
Source: Helena Tunstall, Kate Pickett and Sarah Johnsen, 'Residential mobility in the UK during pregnancy and infancy: are pregnant women, new mothers and infants "unhealthy migrants"?', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 71 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Aug
An article examined whether deprived areas were less responsive to health promotion activity, or whether they were less exposed to it. The relationship between area deprivation and the impact of health promotion might be due, at least in part, to differential levels of exposure.
Source: Corina Chivu and Daniel Reidpath, 'Social deprivation and exposure to health promotion: a study of the distribution of health promotion resources to schools in England', BMC Public Health, Volume 10
Date: 2010-Aug
A new book set out the existing state of knowledge about what worked in reducing impairments to children's health and development. It examined interventions such as changes in household income, early years support, moving families to less disadvantaged communities, improving parenting, and using schools to improve mental health.
Source: Michael Little (ed.), Effective Interventions for Children in Need, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Aug
The new coalition government said that public health policy should be based on a 'new responsibility deal' between government and business that was built on 'shared social responsibility' rather than state regulation. A White Paper would be published later in 2010.
Source: Speech by Andrew Lansley MP (Secretary of State for Health), 7 July 2010
Links: Text of speech | DH press release | LSHTM press release | Guardian report | Pulse report | Children & Young People Now report | Telegraph report | Nursing Times report
Date: 2010-Jul
A report said that there was 'huge potential' for both the health sector and the housing care and support sector in working together across traditional boundaries.
Source: Emily Bird (ed.), Health and Housing: Worlds Apart? Housing care and support solutions to health challenges, National Housing Federation
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Jul
An article examined the experiences of lay food and health workers and professionals involved in delivering local food and health initiatives. The study highlighted previously unreported benefits related to the direct experiences of lay people used in community nutrition.
Source: Lynne Kennedy, 'Benefits arising from lay involvement in community-based public health initiatives: the experience from community nutrition', Perspectives in Public Health, Volume 130 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jul
The new coalition government announced plans (following a review) to reduce the number of arm's-length bodies in the National Health Service. The Health Protection Agency, together with the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, would be abolished and their functions transferred to the Secretary of State as part of a new 'Public Health Service'. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority would be abolished, and its functions transferred to other bodies. The work of the General Social Care Council in regulating social workers in England would be transferred to the Health Professions Council.
Source: Liberating the NHS: Report of the Arms-Length Bodies Review, Department of Health
Links: Report | DH press release | ADASS/ADCS press release | CQC press release | CWDC press release | DrugScope press release | HFEA press release | HPC press release | NTA press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Personnel Today report | Community Care report | Children & Young People Now report | Christian Institute report
Date: 2010-Jul
An article examined the relationship between public health law and evidence-based policy.
Source: Ray Pawson, Lesley Owen and Geoff Wong, 'Legislating for health: locating the evidence', Journal of Public Health, Volume 31 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jul
An article examined the factors influencing schools' decisions and children's food choices in relation to vending machines. Pupils made food decisions based on cost considerations and convenience, and they strongly valued individual choice. Schools' decisions to provide vending were influenced predominantly by fiscal and structural constraints. Although unhappy with the existing quality of school food, staff and pupils criticized initiatives to restrict unhealthy foods.
Source: Anu Devi, Rebecca Surender and Michael Rayner, 'Improving the food environment in UK schools: policy opportunities and challenges', Journal of Public Health, Volume 31 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jul
Guidance published by an official advisory body recommended the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol.
Source: Alcohol-Use Disorders: Preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
Links: Guidance | NIHCE press release | DH press release | NHS Confederation press release | BMA press release | Telegraph report | Children & Young People Now report | Nursing Times report | BBC report
Date: 2010-Jun
An audit report reviewed the data systems used to support delivery of the Labour government's public service agreement 28 – to 'secure a healthy environment for today and the future' – over the period from 2008.
Source: Review of the Data Systems for Public Service Agreement 28, National Audit Office
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Jun
The inspectorate for education and children's services said that in the majority of schools visited, food was attractive, nutritious, and well prepared; and that most pupils had a good understanding of what made up a healthy diet.
Source: Food in Schools: Progress in implementing the new standards, HMI 090230, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | School Food Trust press release | NUT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2010-Jun
An article mapped food access in a northern city of England in order to determine access, availability, and affordability in relation to healthy food options. There was a need for action to ensure that shops in urban areas offered a healthy range of options and were sited near to where people lived.
Source: Martin Caraher et al., 'A tale of two cities: a study of access to food, lessons for public health practice', Health Education Journal, Volume 69 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jun
A report examined how the tobacco industry sought to influence health policy.
Source: The Smoke Filled Room: How big tobacco influences health policy in the UK, Action on Smoking and Health
Links: Report
Date: 2010-May
A study found that people across all income groups bought cheap alcohol – contrary to claims that minimum pricing for alcohol would be unfair because it would only affect low-income families.
Source: Anne Ludbrook, Purchasing Patterns for Low Price Off Sales Alcohol: Evidence from the Expenditure and Food Survey, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
Links: Report | SHAAP press release | BBC report
Date: 2010-May
A report by a committee of MSPs said that it supported the principles behind the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill – designed to tackle alcohol misuse, including through minimum pricing.
Source: Stage 1 Report on the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill, 5th Report 2010, SP Paper 441, Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee
Links: Report | Scottish Parliament press release | SNP press release | BBC report
Date: 2010-May
An article examined the effects of alcohol pricing and promotion policy options on various population subgroups. Minimum pricing policies and discounting restrictions might warrant further consideration because both strategies were estimated to reduce alcohol consumption, and related health harms and costs, with drinker spending increases targeting those who incurred most harm.
Source: Robin Purshouse, Petra Meier, Alan Brennan, Karl Taylor and Rachid Rafia, 'Estimated effect of alcohol pricing policies on health and health economic outcomes in England: an epidemiological model', The Lancet 17 April 2010
Links: Abstract | BBC report
Date: 2010-Apr
A think-tank report said that although tax on tobacco contributed £10 billion annually to the Treasury, the true costs to society from smoking were far higher, at £13.74 billion. Tobacco duty needed to rise to reflect this.
Source: Robert Nash and Henry Featherstone, Cough Up: Balancing tobacco income and costs in society, Policy Exchange
Links: Report | Policy Exchange press release | Cancer Research press release | Nursing Times report
Date: 2010-Mar
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on alcohol promotion. It said that it was premature to consider tougher regulatory action, and that the emphasis should instead be placed on education and self-regulation.
Source: The Government Response to the Health Select Committee Report on Alcohol, Cm 7832, Department of Health/TSO
Links: Response | Hansard | MPs report | Advertising Association press release | Guardian report
Date: 2010-Mar
A new book examined the challenges confronting the public health system in England, how its parameters had shifted, and the origins of dilemmas in public health practice.
Source: David Hunter, Linda Marks and Katherine Smith, The Public Health System in England, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Mar
A trade union report said that workplaces should not just prevent staff from becoming ill, but should be organized so as to actively promote good health and well-being through 'good work'.
Source: In Sickness and in Health? Good work – and how to achieve it, Trades Union Congress
Links: Report | TUC press release
Date: 2010-Mar
An article said that families rarely took part in physical activity as a family – because of the demands of work, school, and the different interests of family members. Family-based interventions might be more effective if they were designed to accommodate the complex demands and needs of two-parent and single-parent families and provide affordable, diverse activities appealing to a wide range of interests.
Source: Janice Thompson et al., 'Physically active families – de-bunking the myth? A qualitative study of family participation in physical activity', Child: Care, Health and Development, Volume 36 Number 2
Links: Abstract | Bristol University press release
Date: 2010-Mar
A report examined the public health benefits of increasing tobacco prices. It said that raising tobacco prices through taxation by 5 per cent above inflation would lead to a reduction in the number of smokers by 190,000, and also save the National Health Service over £20 million per year.
Source: Howard Reed, The Effects of Increasing Tobacco Taxation: A cost benefit and public finances analysis, Action on Smoking and Health
Links: Report | ASH press release | Cancer Research UK press release | BBC report
Date: 2010-Mar
A report said that more needed to be done to ensure that food served in early years settings in England was healthy and nutritious.
Source: Laura Sharp, Patricia Mucavele and Michael Nelson, Preliminary Review of Early Years Food, Nutrition and Healthy Eating Guidance in England: A summary, School Food Trust
Links: Report | 4Children press release | BBC report
Date: 2010-Mar
An article examined the replacement of incapacity benefit by the employment and support allowance, from a public health perspective. It said that this change represented a broader international transformation from welfare to workfare states, the re-emergence of labour discipline, and a political shift in how people suffering from ill-health were categorized as disabled or not and perceived as 'deserving' or 'undeserving' of state support.
Source: Clare Bambra and Katherine Smith, 'No longer deserving? Sickness benefit reform and the politics of (ill) health', Critical Public Health, Volume 20 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Mar
Researchers examined the impact of the school fruit and vegetable scheme (following previous surveys in 2004 and 2006). The scheme did appear to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables: but interventions were more likely to be successful if implemented within a multi-component campaign – especially in respect of those experiencing socio-economic deprivation.
Source: David Teeman et al., The Third Evaluation of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, Department of Health
Date: 2010-Mar
The Chief Medical Officer for England published his annual report for 2009.
Source: On the State of Public Health: Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2009, Department of Health
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2010-Mar
An audit report said that government policies and programmes had not significantly improved the health of the under-fives in England in the previous decade. More than £10 billion had been spent, directly or indirectly, over the period: but results were disappointing considering the level of investment. Some aspects of young children's health had improved – there were fewer deaths in infancy, and obesity rates were slowing overall. But gaps between the health of children in disadvantaged areas and those in better-off places had grown – a child in a deprived area was 19 per cent more likely to have bad teeth than the average child.
Source: Giving Children a Healthy Start, Audit Commission
Links: Report | Audit Commission press release | NCT press release | PSLA press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Guardian report | Local Government Chronicle report | Children & Young People Now report | New Start report | Nursing Times report
Date: 2010-Feb
An article examined the development of alcohol policies in England under New Labour. It attempted to explain these policy developments with regard to the politics of the 'Third Way' and, in particular, relationships between New Labour and industry, 'better regulation', joined-up government, evidence-based policy-making, and the involvement of stakeholders within the policy process.
Source: Rob Baggott, 'A modern approach to an old problem? Alcohol policy and New Labour', Policy & Politics, Volume 38 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Feb
The Scottish Government published a strategy aimed at tackling Scotland's 'obesity time bomb'. It said that if action were not taken, by 2030 nearly 4 in 10 Scots would be obese – costing Scottish society up to £3 billion a year.
Source: Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland: A route map towards healthy weight, Scottish Government
Links: Report | Scottish Government press release | BBC report | Nursing Times report
Date: 2010-Feb
The government began consultation on proposals to to improve unit and health information for consumers on alcohol labels – whether through a renewed and strengthened voluntary agreement or a mandatory requirement through legislation. It followed publication of independent research showing widespread non-compliance with the existing voluntary code.
Source: Consultation on Options for Improving Information on the Labels of Alcoholic Drinks to Support Consumers to Make Healthier Choices in the UK, Department of Health | Campden Technology Ltd, Monitoring Implementation of Alcohol Labelling Regime Stage 2 (Including Advice to Women on Alcohol and Pregnancy), Department of Health
Links: Consultation document | DH press release | Campden research | RCN press release | CofE press release | Methodist Church press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | BBC report | Nursing Times report
Date: 2010-Feb
The government published three linked reports by independent experts on public health and well-being. The first considered what the role of the state should be in relation to people's health and well-being, specifically focusing on the prevention of ill-health. The second considered the lessons that could be learned about influencing healthier lifestyle choices from fields such as behavioural economics, psychology, and marketing. The third considered what the government and the National Health Service could do to enhance delivery of front-line services to improve people's health and well-being.
Source: Richard Reeves, A Liberal Dose? Health and wellbeing – The role of the state, Department of Health | Geoff Mulgan, Influencing Public Behaviour to Improve Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health | Howard Bernstein, Paul Cosford and Alwen Williams, Enabling Effective Delivery of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | Report (3) | BBC report
Date: 2010-Feb
The government published a strategy designed to halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10 per cent of the population in England, by 2020.
Source: A Smokefree Future: A comprehensive tobacco control strategy for England, Department of Health
Links: Strategy | DH press release | NHS Confederation press release | RCN press release | BBC report | Nursing Times report | Personnel Today report
Date: 2010-Feb
The report of an independent review made recommendations to the government on how better to enable the delivery of improved health and well-being. It said that action on a small number of specific issues would significantly improve the effectiveness of approaches. It recommended targets to improve disability-free life expectancy (health expectancy), in addition to the existing 'vital sign' indicator on life expectancy. Stronger and more innovative mechanisms were needed for cross-government actions to improve health and well-being, including mechanisms to identify the role of different government departments and their delivery systems.
Source: Enabling Effective Delivery of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health
Links: Report | Pulse report
Date: 2010-Feb
An article reported the findings from a systematic review of the impact of partnership working on public health, and considered whether these partnerships had delivered better health outcomes for local/target populations. It found that there was little evidence that partnerships had produced better health outcomes or reduced health inequalities.
Source: Neil Perkins, Katherine Smith, David Hunter, Clare Bambra and Kerry Joyce, '"What counts is what works"? New Labour and partnerships in public health', Policy & Politics, Volume 38 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Feb
A report examined how health impact assessment was being used within the wider impact assessment process within government. Government departments (other than the Department of Health itself) were found to be taking health impacts into account, and in some instances were providing excellent examples of analysis: but there was still more that could be done.
Source: Putting Health in the Policy Picture: Review of how health impact assessment is carried out by government departments, Department of Health
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Feb
The government published a strategy for getting more people walking and cycling.
Source: Active Travel Strategy, Department for Transport
Links: Strategy
Date: 2010-Feb
A large-scale survey for the food standards watchdog found that the overall picture of people's diet and nutrition was broadly similar to previous surveys carried out between 1992 and 2001: but there were suggestions of some positive changes, and no new or emerging nutritional problems in the general population were identified.
Source: Beverley Bates, Alison Lennox and Gillian Swan (eds.), National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Headline Results from Year 1 of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009), Food Standards Agency
Links: Report | FSA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2010-Feb
A report examined interventions designed to improve health outcomes for residents in New Deal for Communities areas, and explored their subsequent impact.
Source: Sarah Pearson with Elaine Batty, Beverly Cook, Mike Foden, Rachael Knight-Fordham and Jean Peters, Improving Health Outcomes in Deprived Communities: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities programme, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report | DCLG press release
Date: 2010-Feb
A new book examined evidence-based approaches in public health. It covered the context and role of evidence-based public health in England; frameworks for evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of public health policies and interventions; the role of social context in influencing health-related behaviours; what works to improve health and tackle health inequalities; existing best available evidence on the effectiveness of a diverse range of interventions; and the role of evidence-based guidance and standards in changing policy and practice.
Source: Amanda Killoran and Mike Kelly (eds.), Evidence-Based Public Health: Effectiveness and efficiency, Oxford University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Feb
Public health specialists published a manifesto calling for action on 12 practical steps to tackle serious public health concerns. Proposals included: a minimum price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol sold; no junk food advertising in pre-watershed television; a ban on smoking in cars with children; chlamydia screening for university and college freshers; and a 20 mph limit in built-up areas.
Source: 12 Steps to Public Health: A manifesto, Faculty of Public Health and Royal Society of Public Health
Links: Manifesto | RSPH press release | BBC report
Date: 2010-Jan
The opposition Conservative Party published its plans for public health policy. Greater responsibility for tackling problems including obesity, drug use, and teenage pregnancy would be devolved to local communities on a new 'payment by results' basis.
Source: A Healthier Nation, Conservative Party
Links: Plan | Conservative Party press release | NHS Confederation press release | Local Government Chronicle report | New Start report | Pulse report
Date: 2010-Jan
An evaluation of the 'Partnerships for Older People Projects' found that substantial savings and better health outcomes for older people could be achieved by investment in preventative services.
Source: Karen Windle et al., National Evaluation of Partnerships for Older People Projects: Final Report, Department of Health
Links: Report | Summary | Appendices | Guidance | BGS press release | Community Care report | Pulse report
Date: 2010-Jan
