Public health blogs

Joint blog by Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA Community Wellbeing Board and Sam Watt, Zoe Marshman, Kara Gray-Burrows and Peter Day on behalf of the BRUSH team.

Heart and circulatory diseases cause just over a quarter (26 per cent) of all deaths in England; that’s over 140,000 deaths each year – an average of 390 people each day or one death every four minutes.

In the wake of the influential 2010 report "Fair Society, Healthy Lives" and its follow-up in 2020, by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, the concept of Marmot Places has emerged as a beacon for addressing health inequalities across the country. These places focus on the social determinants of health (SDoH) to create fairer, healthier communities.

Councillor David Fothergill writes in his latest Blog about the concept of dying well. It encompasses the idea of living a life that leads to a peaceful and dignified death.

Health messages come at us thick and fast. Whether it’s eating more fruit and veg or eating less sugar, exercising more or drinking less alcohol. Empowering people with the confidence and information to look after themselves when they can, and visit the GP when they need to, gives people greater control of their own health and encourages healthy behaviours that help prevent ill health in the long-term.

Each year, more than 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK. This type of cancer can affect people at any age with over 800 losing their lives to the disease. The primary cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is preventable through vaccination. Early detection through regular cervical screenings, commonly known as smear tests, can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality rates associated with this cancer.

Health inequalities are the stark and often unjust differences in health outcomes seen across various population groups. These disparities may present themselves as variations in life expectancy, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and access to healthcare services. These inequalities are shaped by a myriad of factors, including socio-economic status, ethnicity, geography, and lifestyle choices.

Health literacy is a crucial aspect of public health that significantly impacts individuals' ability to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. It encompasses the skills and knowledge necessary to access, understand, appraise, and use health information and services effectively.

National HIV Testing Week 2025 takes place between 10-16 February and marks a crucial opportunity to promote regular HIV testing across England.

As the chill of winter approaches, everyone needs to prepare for the colder temperatures, Councillor David Fothergill discusses how a long-term strategic approach is needed by health and wellbeing boards, integrated care systems, directors of public health and commissioners to assess needs and to commission, plan and implement interventions, to reduce deaths attributed to periods of extreme cold.

Joint blog post from Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, and Sharon White MBE, Chief Executive of the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA).

Public health is an ever-evolving field, constantly adapting to new challenges and harnessing innovative technologies to safeguard the wellbeing of our local populations. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to bring numerous benefits to local government. This may include improved efficiency, cost savings, enhanced decision-making, and better resident services.

Blog post from Councillor David Fothergill on how to make preventative health and social care strategies a reality.

Councillor Fothergill on the impact deprivation has on living a healthy life

Over the last century, life expectancy has dramatically increased in the UK. But the portion of life we spend in poor health is getting worse, meaning we spend more years in poor health than at any point in history. Moreover, significant inequity continues to exist across and within our communities. Councillor David Fothergill argues that if we tackle this head on, we can help ensure that not only do we add extra years to life but extra life to those years.

Robin Ireland, Director of Research, Food Active (part of the Health Equalities Group), discusses how elected members can be powerful levers for change to champion and promote healthy weight.

Blog post from Councillor David Fothergill on the importance of vaccine uptake to help tackle the rise in measles cases.

Professor Louis Appleby and Councillor David Fothergill discuss the importance of prioritising suicide prevention during financially difficult times.