Planning for Prevention: How Councils Are Quietly Saving Lives

In an article from a recent report published by Solace, ADPH President Greg Fell considers how planning for prevention can support communities to live healthier lives.

At the heart of all local government is the ambition to improve life for its residents. That includes supporting them to be healthy – both physically and mentally. However, that doesn’t just mean making sure people have access to good treatment when things go wrong. In fact, only 10-20% of our health and wellbeing is determined by access to health care services. The rest is shaped by our economic, social and environmental conditions – conditions that those of us working in local government have significant influence over.