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July 23, 2019
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Prevention proposals are welcome but require funding public health to make an impact

We welcome the publication of the Government’s green paper on prevention, including the recognition of the integral part local authorities play.

Only by putting prevention at the centre of all policy and funding decisions can we create the conditions for improvements in population health.

We will be working closely with Directors of Public Health to ensure their experience and recommendations feed into the forthcoming consultation.

ADPH President Jeanelle de Gruchy said:

“For too long ‘prevention is better than cure’ has been a commonly used mantra rarely matched with deeds. It is time for that to change.

We welcome ambitions to stub out smoking entirely by 2030 and ensure that people can enjoy at least 5 extra healthy, independent years of life by 2035.

But words are no substitute for actions. The scale of the prevention challenge will require investing once again in public health – with at least £1 billion more a year to reverse years of cuts – and strong, effective leadership across Whitehall to address the root causes of ill health, from poverty of money to poverty of opportunities.

We must remember, too, that it is the wider determinants of health – housing, employment, education, environment - that overwhelmingly shape our health and wellbeing, alongside health services, and Directors of Public Health play a critical role in addressing these.

This green paper must be at the top of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s reading pile – and their to do list.”

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