The Association Of Directors of Public Health (UK)’s Post

In today’s expert blog, we hear from the Association of Directors on Public Health, on why making preventing ill health & reducing health inequalities a primary purpose of National Planning Guidance is a win-win for public health. #PowerToPlaces https://lnkd.in/eER3ppYC

Queensland’s response to the National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032 is now live and we couldn’t be prouder to present Making Healthy Happen 2032 to Queensland.   Ambition 2 of Making Healthy Happen 2032 is to Empower people to stay healthy. Health and Wellbeing Queensland will build health literacy, including food and physical literacy skills, through programs and targeted campaigns that aim to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.     Health and Wellbeing Queensland will also work together with community to create and offer programs and services that promote healthy eating and physical activity, with a focus on meeting the needs of priority population groups.     We will also work to shift language from weight-focused to health-focused and seek consumer views in defining appropriate weight-related language to be used across media and healthcare. This is an important step towards addressing weight stigma.    There are 16 actions identified under Ambition 2. Together, this will establish a platform for reform to create a healthier Queensland.     Read more about what is being done to make healthy happen 👉 https://lnkd.in/gJ8jFdRW #strategy #actionplan #makinghealthyhappen #Queensland

Our new briefing outlines five policy proposals that would enable local government in England to help reduce harm from three preventable risk factors driving ill health: tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food. These are: ➡️ introduce a license for retailers to sell tobacco products ➡️ include public health as an objective for alcohol licensing decisions ➡️ create powers for local authorities to limit advertising of unhealthy foods and alcohol on non-council owned premises ➡️ enable local authorities to make planning decisions for hot food takeaways based on healthiness ➡️ closer integration of planning and public health at the national and local level. The government’s ambition to add 5 years to healthy life expectancy by 2035 and reduce health inequalities is on track to be missed. Improving health on this scale will require bold policy action across national and local government. These policy proposals can help achieve that. Explore our proposals ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eNdjsFvB [Alt text: Addressing the leading risk factors for ill health – supporting local government to do more; Kate Dun-Campbell, Leo Ewbank, Hanan Burale, Adam Briggs]

Interesting discussion on obesity and changing the view on treatment and education for individuals with excess weight as well as clinicians. Words matter. also the impact 'not just health but also wealth' will this help change policy makers views? #obesity #healthcare #education #clinicians #CVDRiskFactors FH Europe Foundation

Access to healthy food is a key building block of health. #HealthEquals member The Food Foundation's new report highlights how a lack of access to good food is damaging children’s health in the UK and risks cutting their lives short. These are some of the stats from their report which highlights the disconcerting deterioration in children's health: 📏 Height of 5 year-olds falling since 2013 🩺 Obesity among 10-11 year-olds up 30% 💉 Type 2 diabetes among under 25s up 22% Read more ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eDEpmkRQ

The western world is facing an obesity crisis. Recent data highlights a staggering reality: in the UK 3000 adults per day are being admitted to hospitals due to obesity-related illnesses, marking a dire situation where obesity rates have doubled in just six years and positioning the UK as the heaviest nation in Europe. In the USA 69% of adults are in the overweight or obese range. The financial impact, amounting to billions of pounds, underscores the urgency for addressing this health epidemic. The health effects of being overweight are huge (excuse the pun) leading to diabetes, strokes, heart disease, joint pain and cancer - not to mention our mental health conditions… lack of confidence, anxiety and depression. So what is the cause of this ‘epidemic’? Is it our genes, our environment or are we just plain greedy? On our 9 January podcast episode of Two Women Chatting we chatted to Jane Michell, CEO and founder of JanePlan UK weight management system about obesity and body reality. Jane told us “We're at a pivotal moment where educating people about what they consume is crucial. Food labelling is just the tip of the iceberg. It's time to confront what truly harms us — the excessive sugars and empty calories lurking in our drinks and snacks. We can't ignore the impact of these choices any longer.” No argument with that stance here. A multi-faceted approach with shared responsibility between government, food producers and individuals is needed, starting with education in schools and for adults, accessibility to ‘good’ healthy foods, portion control and food labelling. Sprinkle on a some government sugar tax and supported individual commitment and then maybe we can start saving the NHS some of approx £20 BILLION it costs to treat obese and overweight-related diseases. Comment below if you have feedback on this episode or ideas to help stop the obesity crisis. #obesity #weightmanagement #podcast #NHS #womenshealth #midlifewomen

Your kidneys may be small, but they are mighty! These complex, hardworking organs are essential for your overall wellbeing. Did you know your kidneys filter around 180 litres of blood every day? They also produce vital hormones, control your blood pressure, remove waste and extra fluid, and keep your bones healthy! Don't wait until it's too late – understanding kidney health is crucial, especially for our African Caribbean communities who face higher risks of kidney disease. Visit our information page to learn more about what your kidneys do and how to keep them healthy. Knowledge is power! 💪🏿🌿 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eKs_3T8n Follow The African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE) ™ for more updates and tips on kidney health and wellness! 🖤💛

Really positive to see some action from the UK government on #publichealth and #prevention reported in the media today. Action on smoking and on junk food is really important if we are going to address some of the long term pressures in the NHS outlined yesterday in the #DarziReview. The latest evidence shows that 45% of all dementia cases could be delayed or prevented if action is taken on 14 different risk factors. Given the enormous impact dementia has on individuals, society and the NHS we have to ensure this is a central plank of government health policy. What do we need, building on today's announcement? 📜 A cross government strategy for prevention to ensure efforts are joined up and that we prioritise the right action. 🌲 Initiatives that tackle air pollution, access to green spaces and affordability of a healthy diet. Evidence shows there are at least £4 billion of savings for the economy which could be unlocked by introducing population wide interventions to lower dementia risk. 📋 We need an enhanced NHS Health Check available to everyone in mid-life which includes tests for cholesterol and hearing loss, both associated with dementia risk. Alzheimer's Research UK looks forward to working with the government on this exciting agenda. For more on the action individuals can take to lower their risk see here - https://lnkd.in/eZqGt9_J https://lnkd.in/ewe5i9KZ

Did you know prolonged loneliness can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease and premature mortality? Let's dive into the research and discuss innovative solutions for a healthier future. https://lnkd.in/e9fWdrfB #HealthcareInnovation #Loneliness #SocialWellbeing

'Other priorities' are health. I fully support the evolving conversations around how to balance public health orders but I wish everyone would stop referring educational, economic, societal, and emotional concerns as 'other priorities.' These 'other' factors are health, according to the World Health Organization ("health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.."). We do a disservice to our health system when we say mental and social wellbeing is not health. I'd like to see 'physical' be used more often to define the default state of health and more language about balancing physical health, with other states of health. Our public health policies need to balance all states of health, not just physical, as was done over the last few years, in my opinion. https://lnkd.in/dYJmNksM