Public health works across communities and populations rather than at the level of the individual. It emphasises collective responsibility for health, its protection and disease prevention. Key to this is the recognition of the key role of the state, linked to a concern for the underlying socio-economic and wider determinants of health, as well as disease. Partnership working with all those who contribute to the health of the population is a main aim of public health action at all levels – nationally, regionally and locally.
More information on the national picture
Regional Health and Well-being Strategy
Work is now underway on ambitious plans to transform the traditionally poor health of the North East. The area’s first ever health and well-being strategy aims to make people living here the healthiest in the country within a generation.
Minister for the North East Nick Brown launched Better Health, Fairer Health in 2008. It contains ten key themes:
- economy, culture and environment
- mental health, happiness and well-being
- tobacco
- obesity, diet and physical activity
- alcohol
- prevention, fair and early treatment
- early life
- mature and working life
- later life
- a good death.
Regional advisory groups have been established to take forward this work and updates on their progress are available.
Public Health North East has a strategic role working with other regional organisations to address the factors that contribute to the historically poor levels of health in the area.
They also lead and support the local implementation of national health programmes including:
- tobacco control
- antenatal screening
- improving diet/reducing obesity
- workplace health
- sensible drinking.
