Public Attitudes to Public Health Policy survey published, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 30 Jun 2004 - 9:00 PDT


Three quarters of the population of the UK want active government intervention to discourage people from putting their own health at risk, according to a new King's Fund survey, co-developed and funded by the Health Development Agency and supported by the Department of Health. Nine out of ten people think individuals are responsible for their own health, yet more than 60 per cent of the population believe the government should intervene to tackle poverty as the most effective way of preventing illness.

Paul Streets, Chief Executive of the Health Development Agency said: "This is a clear signal that a stronger partnership for health between the government and the public is needed to reduce ill-health. One startling outcome is the difference in attitude between the socio-economic groups where people in lower groups feel they have less control over their health. Barriers such as the high cost of fresh fruit and vegetables and limited free access to sports facilities are preventing them from leading a healthy lifestyle."

full document (pdf, 127k);
summary (pdf, 58k)

Public Attitudes to Public Health Policy was conducted by research consultancy Opinion Leader Research (OLR), which interviewed a representative sample of over 1,000 people across the UK.On specific government interventions, the survey shows that:

-- Nine out of ten people want healthier school meals
-- Two thirds of people want a smoking ban in public places
-- 80 per cent of people want government action to ensure fruit and vegetables become cheaper
-- 72 per cent want laws to limit salt, fat and sugar in foods
-- 73 per cent want a stop on advertising junk foods to children
-- 72 per cent want food labels informing them of nutritional value.

24/06/04
HDA conference flyer now available (pdf, 229k)

The HDA Conference 2004 on 23-24 September will bring together leading policymakers and practitioners in the NHS, public health, local government, economic development, regeneration, education, environment and the NGO sectors. For more information or to register, download the conference flyer.

23/06/04
New publication: Community nurses' handbook (pdf, 270k)

This certification programme has been developed to enable community nurses to gain recognition for their experience in the support of teaching personal, social and health education (PSHE), including sex and relationship education (SRE). It allows nurses to identify their professional development needs, and enhance their skills and confidence in this area of practice. The programme aims to improve the effectiveness and raise the profile of PSHE, and to address health inequalities and social inclusion by providing good quality PSHE in schools and other settings. It also reflects the broadening public health role of community nurses.

18/06/04
New publication: Evidence for effective drug prevention in young people (pdf, 50k)

A summary of the findings from work carried out by the HDA on behalf of the Department of Health in 2003.

15/06/04

Wellbeing power is key to unlocking extra cash to improve health and wellbeing of communities' says HDA

Communities would benefit from more flexible use of resources by the agencies in local strategic partnerships (LSPs).

A new report, Pooling resources across sectors: a report for local strategic partnerships published by the Health Development Agency (HDA) this week highlights ways that local strategic partnerships can pool their resources in order to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities...' Read the full press release.


11/06/04
New publication: Helping smokers stop: A guide for the dental team (pdf, 975k)

This guide outlines practical ways dental practitioners and their teams can effectively support people to quit smoking.

08/06/04
New publication: Promoting children and young people's participation through the National Healthy School Standard (pdf, 3 mb)

The NHSS encourages and supports schools to take a whole school approach to promoting physical and emotional health. One of the key criteria against which schools are assessed is the way in which they are 'giving pupils a voice'. This places pupil participation at the heart of the NHSS, and this briefing provides practical suggestions for facilitating it. The briefing supplements the DfES guidance "Working together: giving children and young people a say".

04/06/04
Good news for Euro 2004 - England boys come out tops for physical activity

Antony Morgan, Head of Research at the Health Development Agency, and principal investigator for the England study said:

"This survey enables us to understand the health behaviour of young people in England and compare it with young people across Europe and North America. The results reveal links between social environment, for example home and school life, and the choices young people make that affect their health...' Read the full press release.

04/06/04
The Health Development Agency is sponsoring the following category in this year's HSJ Awards. The last date for entries is 4 August 2004.

REDUCING HEALTH INEQUALITIES
Submissions could include the following elements:

-- Improving community well being
-- Action to prevent ill health
-- Creating effective partnerships
-- User-led schemes
-- Empowering minority communities

03/06/04
The June/July issue of Health Development Today is now available online .

Highlights include:

-- Further education reaches over four million students - many from deprived backgrounds. So why not develop it as a healthy setting

-- Mainstreaming: what does it entail and what are the chances of success? We talk to several projects about their experiences

-- Cool2Bhealthy's innovative approach is getting key health messages across to young people

-- Time banks, the new social currency that is bringing communities together.

02/06/04
Regional conferences

HDA South East is co-sponsor of a conference on social capital to be held in Brighton on 7 July. Aimed at senior planners, policymakers, practitioners and managers from a range of regional and sub-regional organisations, the conference will explore the value of social capital in tackling the wider public health agenda.

For further details, contact Mary Piggott

Obesity was the subject of the largest ever regional public health conference in the North West, which was attended by more than 300 public health professionals. Delegates at the March event helped plan the basis for a Regional Obesity Action Plan, drawing on best practice from across the region and using HDA guidance. The event was organised by the North West HDA. A report will be produced shortly. For more information, contact Dominic Harrison.

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