Public health


Councils to be fully funded for coronavirus costs 18/03/2020 Councils in England will be fully funded for implementing measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the chancellor has confirmed.
Electoral Commission calls for autumn polls 12/03/2020 May’s local elections should be postponed until the autumn, the Electoral Commission has said.
Jenrick launches taskforce to ‘strengthen’ plans to tackle coronavirus 10/03/2020 The local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, has launched a new taskforce to strengthen local plans to help tackle the outbreak of coronavirus.
Government to give volunteers job protection to help fight coronavirus 09/03/2020 New measures to make it easier for volunteers to help support health and social care services have been introduced by the Government in the fight against the coronavirus.
A fifth of public toilets lost in past decade 05/03/2020 More than a fifth (22%) of public toilets have been closed down since 2010 due to council funding cuts, a trade union has found.
Public health cuts ‘stall’ progress in children’s health 04/03/2020 Progress in children’s health and wellbeing has ‘stalled or is in reverse’ partly because of cuts to local authority budgets, study finds.
Council advises pupils to ‘self-isolate’ following Coronavirus fears 26/02/2020 Cheshire East Council has told pupils who have been to Italy where Coronavirus cases have been identified to ‘self-isolate’ as a precautionary measure.
Life expectancy stalls for the first time in a century 25/02/2020 Life expectancy has stopped improving for the first time in more than 100 years, and has actually declined for England’s poorest women, according to a new study.
England ‘unlikely’ to meet 2030 smoke-free target 25/02/2020 England will fail to reach the Government’s 2030 smoke-free target unless smoking in the poorest communities is tackled, research has revealed today.
Cuts will lead to tragedy, health visitors warn 20/02/2020 Nearly half of health visitors in England worry a tragedy is waiting to happen where they work due to cuts to public health budgets.
Councils cannot afford to roll-out anti-HIV drug 12/02/2020 Local authority leaders have warned that cash-strapped councils cannot afford to roll-out the anti-HIV drug PrEP without guarantees it will be fully funded.
London aims to be ‘first city’ to stop new HIV infections 05/02/2020 Over 30 organisations have joined together in an effort to make London the first city in the world to stop new HIV infections.
Public health cuts leading to 'spiralling' STI rates 05/02/2020 Local authority leaders have called for more investment into public health services as a new report reveals that there is an STI diagnosis every 70 seconds in England.
Nearly 300 children start smoking every day, figures show 03/02/2020 Campaigners have called for tobacco manufacturers to pay to end smoking after figures show 280 children in England start smoking every day.
Funding cuts put 2030 smokefree target ‘at risk’ 14/01/2020 Funding shortages for local tobacco control could put the 2030 smokefree target at risk, campaigners have warned today.
Planning system is ‘failing’ children’s rights, says report 29/11/2019 The planning system is neglecting the rights and needs of children, a new report has warned today.
Asbestos still ‘serious’ threat to public heath 25/11/2019 Asbestos can be still be found in 1.5 million public buildings putting people at risk of exposure, a think tank has warned.
Councils chiefs call for more powers to ‘restrict’ takeaways 12/11/2019 Local authorities have called for more planning powers to help them prevent takeaways from ‘clustering’ as part of the fight against health inequalities and obesity.
Policy action to secure the future health of young people 08/11/2019 We need to invest across housing, employment and transport to secure the health prospects of the next generation, argues Martina Kane.
Councils welcome increase in funeral expenses payments 06/11/2019 Councils leaders hope the increase in funeral expenses payments will help lower the number of public health funerals.
Think tanks calls for public health funding to be linked to NHS budgets 05/11/2019 Public health funding should be linked to increases in the NHS budget, a briefing published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests.
Thousands of inpatients with learning disabilities and autism to receive care review 05/11/2019 Thousands of people with learning disabilities and autism that have detained in a mental health hospital will have their care reviewed over the next 12 months, the Government announced today.
Councils chiefs call for more sexual health funding 25/10/2019 Local authority leaders have called on the Government to ensure that its updated sexual and reproductive health strategy is ‘fully funded’.
New academy to drive forward 'social prescription' 23/10/2019 Every patient with long-term health problems will be offered a 'social prescription' including arts, sport or leisure activities in a new Government initiative.
Nearly £2m awarded to projects improving health services for the homeless 22/10/2019 Nearly £2m has been awarded to six projects as part of an effort to help test models that improve access to health services for people sleeping rough.
Council chiefs call for investment into leisure facilities 18/10/2019 Local authority leaders have voiced concerns over the ability of councils to continue to provide leisure centres, which contribute to public health, without more Government investment.
Number of young people gambling is ‘emerging’ public health risk 16/10/2019 A new study has found an increasing number of young people are experimenting with gambling, making them more likely to be problem gamblers later in life.
Half of mental health patients with diabetes not receiving ‘vital checks’ 08/10/2019 A charity has called on the NHS to better integrate mental health and diabetes care after it was revealed that half of those needing treatment in both areas are not receiving vital checks.
Local councils aim to make communities 'seizure savvy' 02/10/2019 A new partnership to help local councils raise awareness of how to help someone having an epileptic fit has been launched.
Councils issue warning over toxic skin-lightening creams 30/09/2019 Local government leaders have warned of the dangers of skin-lightening creams that 'act like paint stripper' and increase the risk of cancer.
Councils voice concern over 'alarming' fall in childhood vaccination rates 27/09/2019 An 'alarming' fall in childhood vaccination rates should serve as a wake-up call to parents and authorities about the need for children to be protected against disease, local government leaders have warned.
Social care for smokers costing councils £720m a year 26/09/2019 Smoking-related social care is costing local authorities £720m a year, new research has revealed.
Cuts force councils to slash public health funding by £72m 16/09/2019 Local authorities plan to cut public health spending by £72m this year in response to reductions in Whitehall funding, the Labour Party says.
Ban junk food shops near schools, report argues 13/09/2019 Unhealthy fast food outlets within a five-minute walk from schools should be banned, a new report has argued today.
Charity calls for re-investment in public health grant 10/09/2019 A new study of health and social care spending has found that the Government focuses too much on acute services rather than investing in long-term preventative measures.
Think tank calls for councils to have powers over immigration post-Brexit 06/09/2019 Councils should be given powers after Brexit to issue visas to foreign workers based on their assessment of local need, according to think tank Localis.
New HIV diagnoses at lowest level since 2000 03/09/2019 Figures show that new diagnoses of HIV have fallen by a third in the UK since 2015, and are now at their lowest levels since 2000.
5G: Unlocking new opportunities for healthcare 28/08/2019 5G will be revolutionary for UK businesses and industry, but especially in the healthcare sector.
Drug poisoning deaths up 16% in face of public health cuts 16/08/2019 Council chiefs warn that cuts to public health grants are a ‘false economy’ which make it more difficult to provide support and treatment to drug users.
NHS Health Checks to be ‘modernised’, health secretary says 16/08/2019 Health secretary Matt Hancock has launched a review of NHS Health Checks with the aim of moving away from standardised checks towards more tailored programmes.
Air pollution could be causing a third of child asthma cases, study warns 08/08/2019 Air pollution could be the cause of up to a third of new cases of childhood asthma in Europe, according to a new study.
Dementia causes one in ten deaths, new figures show 07/08/2019 Dementia and Alzheimer's disease were the cause of more than a tenth of the registered deaths in England and Wales last year, according to new figures.
Campaigners call for 'calorie tax' to tackle obesity 07/08/2019 Companies producing high-calorie foods should be taxed to help tackle the 'obesity crisis', campaigners have demanded.
Calls for ugent investment in public playgrounds 05/08/2019 The decline in public playgrounds is ‘pushing’ children away from outdoor play, a new survey has revealed.
Council leaders join call for fairer public health funding 01/08/2019 Local authorities have backed a call by Cancer Research for the new Government to increase public health funding.
Councils report 'worrying rise' in body image drugs 29/07/2019 Council leaders have reported a ‘worrying’ increase in the number of people using illegal and dangerous body enhancing drugs.
Prevention green paper blasted as ‘shopping list of half-complete ideas’ 23/07/2019 Local authority leaders have criticised the Government’s prevention green paper as a ‘missed opportunity’ which neglects the role councils play in delivering public health services.
Homeless people denied access to healthcare, study finds 17/07/2019 Homeless people are being denied access to basic healthcare, a new study has revealed.
Parents urged to find time to take kids to the park 16/07/2019 Three-quarters of children would like to spend more time outdoors, according to a new survey published to coincide with Love Parks Week.
Diabetes in children up 50% in five years 15/07/2019 Council chiefs have warned of an 'obesity crisis’ as figures reveal the number of young people being treated for Type 2 diabetes increased 50% in five years.
Javid announces ‘public health duty’ to tackle violent crime 15/07/2019 Sajid Javid will this week announce a new legal duty which will require local authorities and other public bodies to prevent and tackle serious violence.
For local authorities, the social care crisis is about more than money 02/07/2019 David Cundy explains why reducing demand for social care means supporting people to age well.
Manchester’s rough sleeping scheme secures NHS funding 20/06/2019 NHS in Greater Manchester has agreed to allocate £1.5m to help tackle rough sleeping and homelessness across the region.
Children exposed to toxic air inside schools, report warns 18/06/2019 The quality of air inside and outside primary schools must be improved to protect children's health, campaigners have demanded.
Charities call for £1bn a year to reverse public health cuts 12/06/2019 Two health charities are calling on the Government to reverse the £1bn a year cuts to public health grants.
Local authorities will continue to commission public health services 10/06/2019 Councils will continue to commission local public health services, a government review has concluded.
Over half of the disease burden in England ‘preventable’ 04/06/2019 Local authority leaders have welcomed a report which urges the Government to increase investment into initiatives supporting public health.
Closure of public toilets ‘threat to health’, warns report 23/05/2019 The decline in public toilets is a threat to health, mobility, and equality, according to a public health body.
‘Significant’ variations in rates of dental visits, study finds 17/05/2019 Children living in areas of deprivation are more likely to visit the dentist compared to those in more affluent areas, a new study has revealed.
Call to ‘rethink’ public health investment 14/05/2019 A culture change is needed in the way local organisations evaluate long-term investment in prevention, a report has argued today.
Councils urged to apply for funding to improve health of rough sleepers 10/05/2019 Councils are being urged to bid for a share of £1.9m to help support rough sleepers living with a mental illness or substance abuse problem.
Prevention work for tackling obesity under threat from cuts, council chiefs say 09/05/2019 Early intervention by councils is ‘vital’ for dealing with obesity, council chiefs say as new figures reveal a 15% increase in hospital admissions where obesity was a factor.
Charity calls for £2.4bn Dementia Fund 08/05/2019 A report calling for a new £2.4bn Dementia Fund has received backing from 68 cross-party MPs.
Council chiefs call for ‘greater proportion’ of soft drinks levy 08/04/2019 Local authority leaders have called for a greater share of the soft drinks levy to go towards the public health budgets of councils.
E-learning tools launched to ‘boost’ public health knowledge 08/04/2019 The Government has launched a series of e-learning tools to help boost health and care professionals’ knowledge of the biggest issues in public health.
Councils to be part of ‘multi-agency initiative’ against knife crime 01/04/2019 Local authorities will be among the bodies involved in a multi-agency initiative against knife crime launched by home secretary Sajid Javid.
Inactivity linked to 70,000 deaths a year 26/03/2019 Spending too much time sitting around is linked to about 70,000 deaths a year in the UK, according to public health experts.
Health experts have revealed a big rise in the use of crack cocaine 26/03/2019 Public Health England says the number of adults starting treatment for crack addiction in the last three years has gone up by 19%.
Tuberculosis at ‘lowest levels’ since records began 22/03/2019 New cases of TB in England have fallen to the lowest levels since records began in 1960, new data reveals.
Health body announces £6m for alcohol treatments 22/03/2019 The Government today announced that £6m of capital funding will be made available to help councils increase access to alcohol treatments.
Charity warns people at risk of suffering poverty, ill-health and hardship in later life 13/03/2019 Action must be taken to create communities that enable older people to stay active, campaigners have urged.
Expansion of PrEP Impact Trial given the go-ahead 01/03/2019 Trials of the anti-HIV treatment PrEP are set to expand after local authorities agreed to commission extra places.
Very few young people regularly vape, report finds 27/02/2019 Only a small proportion of young people are regularly using e-cigarettes, according to the findings of a new report.
UK youth ‘let down’ on long-term health issues 20/02/2019 Youth in the UK are being ‘let down’ when it comes to treating long-term illnesses such as asthma, according to an independent health think tank.
Health experts warn about impact of toxic air on children 06/02/2019 Nearly nine out of ten child health experts are warning air pollution is already having a negative impact on children's health in their region.
Whitehall commits to reaching zero HIV transmissions by 2030 30/01/2019 Council chiefs have welcomed Whitehall’s announcement that it is committed to reaching zero HIV transmissions by 2030, but they urged the Government to reverse public health cuts ‘as a matter of urgency’.
Councils chosen to develop childhood obesity plans 28/01/2019 Practical plans to tackle childhood obesity are to be developed by 13 councils after they received funding from the government’s Trailblazer programme.
Investment in cycling could prevent 34,000 life-threatening illnesses, report finds 28/01/2019 Thousands of life-threatening illnesses could be prevented if major cities increased cycling rates to those seen in London since the turn of the millennium.
Council chiefs welcome decision to expand PrEP trial 14/01/2019 Local authority leaders have said they are ‘pleased’ with NHS England’s decision to expand the trial of a drug that could ‘significantly’ reduce levels of HIV.
NHS to fund council ‘drunk tanks’ over Christmas 21/12/2018 The NHS has announced it will be funding council ‘drunk tanks’ over the Christmas period to ease the pressure on local hospitals.
Councils warn of impact of public health funding cuts 21/12/2018 Councils have reacted angrily to ‘short-sighted’ cuts to public health funding next year by the Government.
Council call for action over number of operations to remove rotten teeth in children 03/12/2018 Council leaders have called for immediate action to tackle sugar consumption after new figures showed more than 45,000 teenagers and children had teeth extracted in hospital last year.
Council chiefs call for funding to ‘step up’ fight against HIV 29/11/2018 Local authority leaders are urging the Government to reverse the £600m of cuts to public health grants to help them ‘step up’ the fight against HIV.
Public health progress put at risk by cuts 27/11/2018 The Government must restore councils’ public health grants because of their important role in the urgent task of improving public health, according to a report from leading health think tank, The King’s Fund.
'Sugar tax' raises more than £150m to fight child obesity 21/11/2018 Cash collected from the 'sugar tax' has already helped in the fight against childhood obesity, according to the Government.
Councils urged to reduce smoking in social housing 20/11/2018 Councils have been urged to help drive down smoking rates after research revealed smoking is twice as common in social housing than in other tenures.
Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics 15/11/2018 Universal Credit (UC) is bad for health and wellbeing, academics have found in a new study commissioned by Gateshead MBC.
One in 10 deprived areas ‘food deserts’, think tank says 15/10/2018 Nearly one in 10 deprived areas in England and Wales do not have easy access to healthy, affordable food products, new study shows.
Javid announces £200m to tackle youth violence 03/10/2018 Local government leaders have welcomed the announcement of a new fund to tackle violent crime — but renewed calls to reverse cuts in public health budgets.
Council chiefs call for reversal of cuts to sexual health services 01/10/2018 Maintaining sexual health services at current levels will be difficult unless cuts in public health services are reversed, local government leaders warn.
One person every 80 seconds stopped smoking last year 20/09/2018 More than a million people have stopped smoking in England since 2014, new figures have revealed.
UK plagued by ‘stubborn’ health inequalities 11/09/2018 A report looking at the state of the nation’s health has revealed that the rich live nearly 20 more years than the poor on average.
Council to review vaping scheme after exploitation accusation 10/09/2018 A deal between Birmingham City Council and a multi-national tobacco company to promote e-cigarettes has been branded 'a disgrace' by a government minister.
Half of households unable to afford a healthy diet, finds study 05/09/2018 Around 3.7 million children are living in households unable to afford a healthy diet, according to a new study by a think tank.
HIV diagnoses fall second year in a row 04/09/2018 HIV diagnoses in the UK have fallen for the second year in a row, public health body reveals.
Greater Manchester unveils plan to fight HIV 29/08/2018 The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has unveiled a plan to end all new cases of HIV in the city region within 25 years.
Council agrees to re-evaluate health service procurement process 15/08/2018 Lancashire County Council has agreed to re-evaluate its tendering process for public health services after a court ordered the council to set aside its agreement with Virgin Care.
Hepatitis C-related deaths fall by 11% 08/08/2018 Deaths from hepatitis C-related end-stage liver disease have fallen by 11% in 2017 compared to the previous year.
Campaigners warn about postcode lottery for breastfeeding support 30/07/2018 Breastfeeding campaigners have warned mothers are facing a postcode lottery after research found 44% of councils have reduced or closed down their local support services.
Councils warned to prepare for a trebling of heat-related deaths 26/07/2018 Local authorities have been told to prepare their areas for the impact of climate change as experts predict heat-related deaths will treble by 2050.

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