Reducing infant mortality
Reducing infant mortality in Sheffield
Public health is awash with threats and risks which directors of public health work in partnership with a wide range of people to prevent and mitigate against. These protective measures, which go unmentioned in the press, help thousands of people live longer, healthier lives and should be celebrated for their impact on both individuals and the communities they live in.
As director of public health for Sheffield City Council, I am responsible for the health of over 580,000 residents. Twenty years ago, Sheffield had a disproportionately high rate of infant mortality with 116 babies dying before their first birthday between 2001 and 2003.
In 2010, the city made a commitment to reducing this rate to below the national average by 2020, as well as to reduce inequalities between the different communities in the city.