Posts about the work of the Health and Wellbeing directorate
A week ago we welcomed the independent report from the Mental Health Taskforce, setting out how national bodies, including health agencies and government departments, should work together over the next five years to improve mental health. One in four of …
Today we launched a rerun of our national Be Clear on Cancer campaign that highlights blood in pee as a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancers. The key message from this latest campaign, which is aimed at men …
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – conditions that are not caused by an acute infection – are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 68% of total deaths in 2012. They are responsible for significant premature disability, morbidity and mortality, and are …
It’s always encouraging to hear how an NHS Health Check has changed someone’s life. Take Rajiv, who discovered he had type 2 diabetes after taking up the offer of an NHS Health Check. On the doctor’s advice, he reduced sugar …
The role of healthcare providers is to investigate, treat and care for people who are ill, but they also have huge potential to act as public health organisations at a time when prevention and early intervention have a crucial role …
High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for premature death and disability, and can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. Conditions caused by high blood pressure cost the NHS over £2 …
The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that in 2013 the number of people with dementia in England was 686,000. Without public health intervention this has been forecast to increase by 40% by 2025. Dementia may be affecting 108,700 people in the country …
Life expectancy in England has risen by more than five years in the past two decades, yet for many people, a longer life will involve more years spent in ill-health. Earlier this year, The Global Burden of Disease project – …
Last year I blogged on how there was a role for all of us in preventing suicide. The focus of this latest blog is on actions that local authorities and organisations can take to reduce suicide rates in their areas. …
January has seen us reach a significant milestone by screening our one millionth 65-year old man as part of the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme. AAA screening detects any dangerous swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main …
