Helping People
Live Healthier Lives Preventing cancer, cutting tooth decay in
children and the population weighing less, are just some of the
challenges local councils will be able to track their progress
against when they take over looking after the health and wellbeing
of their residents, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced
today.
For the first time, public health will be measured against a
framework which sets out 66 health measures so councils and the
Government are able to see real improvements being made and take
any action needed.
From April next year, councils will be given a ring-fenced budget
– a share of around £5.2 billion based on 2012/13 funding – and
will be able to choose how they spend it according to the needs of
their population. Those who make the most improvements will be
rewarded with a cash incentive.
The results this progress will be measured against include:
fewer children under five will have tooth decay;people will
weigh less;more women will breastfeed their babies;fewer over 65s
will suffer falls;fewer people will smoke; andfewer people will
die from heart disease and stroke.
But public health is more than just moving more and eating well.
It’s also about tackling the causes of ill-health. That is why the
new measures also look at school attendance, domestic abuse,
homelessness and air pollution.
Speaking at the Royal Society for Public Health,
Andrew Lansley said:
“We are giving local councils the money, the power, the right
expertise and information to build healthier communities. Every
area of the country is different so councils will be able to
decide what the most important public health concern is for them
and spend the money appropriately.
“It is absolutely right that the budget and decision making sits
with councils. They will be able to address all aspects that
affect our wellbeing – such as school attendance, homelessness and
fuel poverty – in the round.
“Using the framework we have published today, local professionals
will be able to make real changes to improve health.”
The Health Secretary also highlighted how public health has
already started to change, thanks to the Responsibility Deal.
Now, people on the high street can be reassured that artificial
trans fats are not lurking in their food from many outlets such as
Greggs, Costa or McDonald’s. In supermarkets, people will know a
lot of the food going into their basket will have less salt in.
And customers will know that when they eat out at popular high
street restaurants this year over a third of meals and takeaways
will have their calories labelled, helping people to opt for the
healthier options.
Andrew Lansley added:
“The Responsibility Deal has led to real changes for everyone and
we can now see these in our everyday life – on our high street, in
our supermarkets and at work too.
“People might not realise that these changes are down to the
Responsibility Deal but we can now see that it is helping people
to live healthier lives.”
Notes to editors
For further media enquiries please call the Department of Health
Newsdesk on 020 7210 5221.Local authorities will be paid a new
health premium for the progress they make against the public
health indicators.Over 40 retailers have now signed up to the out
of home calorie labelling pledge, and this week Subway will
announce their participation too.In his speech the Health
Secretary also set out plans to ensure that non-medically
qualified public health specialists are appropriately
regulated.The Health Secretary set out a new national ambition for
physical activity – to have a year on year increase in the number
of adults doing 150 minutes of exercise per week and a similar
reduction in those who are inactive. Phsyical activity is also one
of the indicators in the Public Health Outcomes FrameworkThe Heath
Secretary also confirmed an additional £2 million to extend the
reach of Change4Life school sports clubs, totalling an investment
of £8.4 million until 2015.The Public Health Outcomes Framework
will be published on the Department of Health website –
www.dh.gov.uk
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk