Press Releases
UKPHA demands radical rethink to protect the Nation's health
24 March, 2010
The UKPHA's Manifesto can be
downloaded here.
The UK Public Health Association, representing members
from across the UK active in promoting the health and wellbeing of
the public, is calling upon the political parties to radically
reform how we deliver health and wellbeing to current and future
generations. Hot on the heels of the Marmot Review,
this General Election offers an unparalleled opportunity to set a
new course and make the health of the public the number one
priority in determining future policy. The adoption of the
five strategic shifts proposed in the UKPHA's Manifesto would
enable this vital reform. This will be launched today,
Wednesday 24th March, at the UKPHA's Annual Public Health Forum in
Bournemouth.
The public themselves need to be partners in the co-production
of their good health. With Beveridge's Five Giants re-emerging from
their lairs (Want, Idleness, Squalor, Ignorance and Disease)
governments and public alike have to acknowledge and act upon the
fact that degraded environments, economic failures, fractured
communities, inadequate housing and stratified educational systems
are the true causes of ill-health, not individual lifestyle
choice.
This approach will demand a radical cross governmental step
change with each department becoming accountable for its policies
impact on public health under the eagle eye of a newly created
Secretary of State for Public Health.
Angela Mawle, Chief Executive of the UK Public Health
Association says, "The scenarios unfolding through the 21st Century
do not paint a pretty picture. There will be profound impacts on
public health. Now is the time to create a public health
system 'fit for purpose' and to make the health of the people the
ultimate goal of all politicians."
Chair of the Association, Dr John Ashton, Director of Public
Health, Cumbria PCT says: "This is a call to arms. Public Health in
the UK is in a state of fragmentation and lacks secure resourcing.
It is not surprising that we have made such little impact on the
appalling inequalities in health that now exist here and which put
us in the same league as some of the poor European countries. We
will be challenging all the political parties throughout the
General Election campaign to cut the hot air and be specific about
how we are to regain our reputation as a world leader in Public
Health."
ENDS
The UKPHA's Manifesto can be
downloaded here.
Notes
Angela Mawle, Chief Executive of the UK Public Health
Association, is available for further comment. Call 020 7713 8910
or 07872822762
The UK Public Health Association an independent, UK wide
voluntary association, which through its membership brings together
individuals and organisations from all sectors who share a common
commitment to promoting the public's health. The Association
seeks to promote the development of healthy public policy at all
levels of government and across all sectors. www.ukpha.org.uk
The 18th UKPHA Annual Public Health Forum takes place at the
Bournemouth International Centre on March 24 & 25, 2010. This
year its theme is 'Confronting the Public Health Crisis: Global
issues, local actions - health and wellbeing in a time of
ecological and economic crises'.
Drastic Drop in Health Visitor Numbers Threatens Child Health in the 21st Century
24 November, 2009
A new report from the UK Public Health Association
(UKPHA) launched on 24th November 2009 makes five key
recommendations aimed at creating a reinvigorated health visiting
service which will promote and protect the health of families and
children and reduce health inequalities.
'Health Visiting Matters' is launched at a time when
health inequalities are deepening and the economic crisis is biting
into the very fabric of society and the need for informed
compassionate and non-judgemental care for children and families is
therefore of critical importance. Yet health visiting is in deep
decline at a point in history when the need for it is greatest.
For the full report 'Health Visiting Matters',
please click here.
Please click here to view the full press release.
Please click
here to view the full executive summary.
See below for statements of support from:
Parents
1st
Swine Flu & Defence of the Realm: We are Prepared – Where are the Resources?
28 July, 2009
The schools have broken up and we are now entering what could be
the fourth phase of the Swine Flu phenomenon. In all,
the Public Health community and its partners have stepped up to the
plate and ridden these waves of surf.
So what is all this about tabloid headlines questioning the
preparedness of the public health workforce. In the case of the
armed forces, nobody in the media questions the preparedness - only
the resources! The media has been asking the wrong question,
and should be redirected onto the Public Health equivalent of
equipment and helicopters.
Chair of the UK Public Health Association, Professor John R
Ashton said: "We have to consider whether we wish to have a fight
with President Obama over our own vaccine supplies. Would we
be doing this with tanks and helicopters and the armed forces, I am
moved to ask? Or is this latest manifestation of the
infatuation with the free market to go unchallenged?
Shouldn't Public Health be seen in the same light as Defence of the
Realm?"
Download the full press release here
The new cutting edge of the UK Public Health Association
25 June, 2009
The UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) officially welcomed its
new trustees this week after their election at the organisation's
AGM in March.
Professor John Ashton, NHS Cumbria's Director of Public Health
was voted Chair at the meeting of the group on Monday (22 June
2009).
Please click here for the full release.
Swine flu and climate change are inextricably related
29 April, 2009
"Swine flu and climate change are inextricably related" says
Angela Mawle, CEO of the UK Public Health Association. "Both are
the end results of unbridled economic growth, environmental
degradation and industrial agricultural practices. When will we
ever learn that prevention is better than cure?"
For the full release, please click here.
Climate Change and Health Take Centre Stage at a Conference in Brighton
12 March, 2009
Climate change will be a top topic at a conference in Brighton
this month where ministers will meet public health experts from all
over the country.
The UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) will show how the
public health community is helping to lead the way in tackling what
many people think is the most pressing issue of the day at their
conference at the Brighton Centre on the 25th and
26th March. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo and
Energy Minister Lord Hunt will be speaking on the key challenges
ahead for building better health for future generations. Read the full release
here.
The Climate Connection Launch – Tuesday 2nd December
2 December, 2008
Tuesday 2nd December saw the launch of a major new public health
initiative to address climate change.
The event brought together public health leaders and
educators with professionals from housing, transport, town planning
and other sectors - to map out a joint response to the climate
crisis, and begin a transformation in public health practice in the
regions.
Download the full
press release from the event here.
Climate Change – Public Health Workforce Development Partnership Launch
30 July, 2008
The UK Public Health Association, funded by the Department of
Health, is launching a Public Health Workforce Development
Partnership for climate change.
This work will capture many existing good initiatives,
coordinate them and provide the drive and energy to give everyone
in the public health workforce, whether in training or in positions
of power, tools they can use to reduce greenhouse emissions and
prepare the health service for the challenges of climate
change.
Download the full press release here
Public Health Threatened By The Dramatic Decline In Health Visiting Services
11 October, 2007
A call for the vital regeneration of the health visiting service
will take place today at the House of Commons.
The important Symposium entitled 'A Powerful Equaliser -
Regenerating the Health Visiting Profession' is to be held at
Portcullis House Westminster, and will hosted by Barry Gardiner, MP
for Brent North, and coordinated by the UK Public Health
Association (UKPHA) in close collaboration with the CPHVA.
Participants will consider evidence-based funding models for the
health visiting service; how best to mainstream the best practice
models and how to bring their findings and recommendations from
their grassroots connections to government.
Download the full press release here
New Wanless Report A Stark Warning, says UKPHA
11 September, 2007
2007 report finds prevention still the Cinderella service
The Government's ongoing lack of focus on the prevention of the
causes of ill health has led to the stark picture painted by Derek
Wanless in his new report, 'Our future health secured?' warns the
UK Public Health Association. Despite the enormous sums of money
ploughed into the health service over the last few years it is not,
he says, on course to deliver good health for the people of
England.
Download the full press release here.
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