We have one of the most centralised employment and skills systems in the developed world. Different central government departments and their agencies are directly responsible for employment and skills policy, design, funding and oversight. Local areas have little ability to influence priorities, funding or delivery.
The LGA and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) invited directors of public health (DsPH) to take part in a survey about local authority commissioned weight management.
The population is ageing. Over the last 10 years the number of people aged over 65 in England increased by a fifth – that’s nearly 1.7 million extra older people.
In November 2017 the LGA conducted a survey of lead members of public health in England to capture the thoughts of local leaders on public health delivered by their local authority.
The theme for this year’s report is transformation. The eight case studies in this report
show the wide range of ways in which public health is transforming how it operates.
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.
We hope the case studies included in this publication provide inspiration to all those with a shared interest in ensuring that the aspirations and needs of people and communities are at the centre of our collective efforts to deliver new, high quality development.
In an era of constrained budgets, it is clear making the most of digital technology is essential. It can drive efficiency and deliver value for money in a multitude of ways as well as benefiting the health and wellbeing of individuals.
