Choosing Health Making healthy choices easier Working in partnership across government with people, their communities, local government, voluntary agencies and business

Choosing Health – the context  Health in England has improved dramatically over the last century  New challenges have emerged which must be tackled  Unfair inequalities in health persist  Traditional methods of improving health are becoming outdated  A new approach to public health is required, responding to the needs and wishes of citizens as individuals

Underpinning Principles 1) Informed Choice  People want the freedom to make decisions about their own health  They need the back up of credible and trustworthy information  They expect support from Government by helping to create the right environment  There are circumstances where the Government should intervene:  to protect children’s health  where one person’s choice may inflict harm on another

Underpinning Principles 2) Personalisation  People want support in making healthy choices but current services often do not meet their needs or are difficult to use  Support must be tailored to the realities of individual lives to ensure health inequalities are addressed  Services and support personalised sensitively and flexibly and provided conveniently

Underpinning Principles 3) Working together  Government and individuals alone cannot make progress on healthier choices  effective partnerships are required involving local government, the NHS, business, advertisers, retailers, voluntary sector, communities, the media, faith organisations and many others  People look to Government to lead, coordinate and promote these partnerships

Priorities for action  Reduce the numbers of people who smoke – building on current progress  Reduce Obesity – new action with a focus on children  Increase exercise – more opportunities  Support sensible drinking  Improve sexual health – new campaigns and services  Improve mental health and well being – crucial to good physical health

Health in the consumer society  Stimulate demand and availability of healthier options, with better information  Better access to healthier choices and more support for disadvantaged groups  Action with industry to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle  Action to reduce demand for less healthy foods, tobacco and alcohol particularly among young people

Children and Young People Starting on the right path  Better information and support for parents, children and young people  Integrated services brought together in one place to meet the needs of parents, users, children and young people  Co-ordinated whole school approach to health, focusing on diet and physical activity  Strengthen action to manage risk associated with underage smoking and sexual activity

Local communities leading for health  Local authorities providing leadership to local partnerships for health  Investment and new initiatives in disadvantaged communities  Promoting partnership working between public and voluntary sectors  Action on second-hand smoke

Health as a way of life  Advice and support for people to turn good intentions into sustained action  NHS Health Trainers – accredited professionals drawn from local communities to provide practical advice and connections  Personal Health Guides – support for people to help them take more control over their health  Shifting from ‘advice from on high’ to ‘support from next door’

A health promoting NHS  Help to plan and deliver effective action to tackle inequalities and improve health  Turn NHS patient encounters into opportunities for healthy choices  Training for NHS staff to embed health improvement into day-to-day patient care  Drive for modernisation to benefit health improvement and prevention services

Work and health  Improve health and reducing inequalities through employment  Reduce the causes of ill health due to work  Promote the work environment as a source of better health  NHS to become a model employer

Making it happen National and local delivery  Regulation – health built into future legislation  Resourcing delivery – re-focusing of mainstream programmes, and new funding for specific priorities  Joined-up action – overseen by Cabinet Sub- committee  Delivery plan – to be published early 2005  Partnerships – NHS & social care working with public, voluntary & private sectors  Delivery system – ensuring action locally

Next steps for the Department  National Conference - 29 November 2004  Development of Delivery Plan outlining accountabilities and roles  A series of 6 regional themed conferences in focusing on delivery  New structure of Health Improvement Directorate to ensure delivery of White Paper