ADPH welcomes CMO for England’s Annual Report 2026

Today, the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Witty, published his annual report, detailing the health and wellbeing of rural communities and small towns, and outlining recommendations for addressing the health needs of these populations.

Welcoming the report, ADPH President, Greg Fell OBE, said:

“This timely report sheds light on the health and wellbeing of our rural communities. Through detailed evidence, it demonstrates that above all, services and support must be designed with our communities, and alongside the local partners who play an indispensable role in supporting them if they are to remain effective.

“We now have a significant opportunity to deliver on these recommendations through devolution. However, realising its potential will require sufficient investment, including adequate resourcing and robust data sharing across all levels of governance to ensure decisions remain grounded in evidence and responsive to local need.

“As local leaders for health, Directors of Public Health are uniquely placed to bring partners together across sectors and align these efforts to protect and improve health and wellbeing across communities. Through this collaborative working, we can continue to reduce the unfair differences in health outcomes and support everyone to live a healthier, longer life, regardless of whether they live in a town or a rural community.”