Publications

A collection of essays on six years of public health in local government

This report makes explicit the links between health and the local economy, their interdependence, and the action that local authorities and their partners can take to ensure that health and wellbeing are key considerations in local and regional economic development strategies.

Whether it is supporting stopping smoking, encouraging healthy eating, protecting good mental health, or delivering universal or targeted health visiting services or simply working closely with the NHS - councils have a significant role to play.

Self care is about giving people choice and control by helping them to decide how best to protect, maintain or improve their health and wellbeing.

The case studies in this publication show the innovations that can be achieved by local areas collaborating within regions on health issues that can best be tackled at scale.

Drinking and drug problems remain, sadly, all too common. While alcohol consumption is falling, too many adults still regularly consume more than they should.

Addressing violence is not a single agency issue, as it is the culmination of many different issues. It is only by pursuing a strategic, coordinated approach involving a range of agencies, including partnerships between statutory and voluntary organisations, that violent crime can be effectively addressed.

Childhood obesity is one of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century. At the start of primary school one in 10 children are obese and by the end, that has increased to one in five.

Local authority staff have essential frontline roles to play in TB control and ensuring that they themselves are also protected and screened if needed.

Deprived communities experience poorer mental health, higher rates of smoking and greater levels of obesity than the more affluent. They spend more years in ill health and die sooner. Reducing health inequalities is an economic and social challenge as well as a moral one.