For the first time, Essex County Council and NHS North Essex have jointly produced the Annual Public Health Report (APHR) for Essex.
The report seeks to inform decision makers and local stakeholders about the challenges facing us in delivering the public health agenda.
The government are reforming the public health system in England and the changes propose Local Authorities taking much more responsibility and accountability for public health from April 2013.
This year’s report gives a picture of how Essex is doing in each of the key improvement areas proposed by the government. It shows what we need to do to improve the health of the population we serve, using published evidence of what works.
Summary Public Health Report 2011
Full version of Public Health Report 2011
If you would like to receive either of these in hard copy please click the link below:
Please send me a copy in the post
What Does Being Healthy Mean?
'Health' means different things to different people. For many people being healthy means not being ill. We often take our health for granted until we are ill or problems with our health occur.
But What Affects Health?
For many years it has been recognised that 'being healthy' is seldom, if ever, the result of chance or luck. A variety of factors can have either a positive or a negative effect on a person's health at any one time. These are likely to include family history, friends, income, housing conditions access to services and education. These can affect the lifestyle habits we choose. Therefore, action is required not just at the individual level but also in communities and through the work and living environment. This all helps people make the easier choice the healthier choice.
So it is everyone's responsibility
We recognise the challenge ahead and the vital role our colleagues in local government, the various voluntary organisations, other health and social care organisations and local communities have in improving health. We look forward to working with you all in making real, lasting improvements to public health and wellbeing.
What is Public Health?
Public Health can be described as a discipline that addresses the health of the population rather than on the medical care that focuses on individual treatment. This involves monitoring the health status of the population, identifying health needs, controlling communicable diseases, screening for early disease, developing policies for and evaluating healthcare provision.