Improving the public's health: a resource for local authorities published by the King's Fund - Philippa Lynch

This resource, published by the Kings Fund pulls together evidence from successful interventions across key local authority functions about ‘what works’ for improving health and reducing health inequalities. It highlights the evidence for and the economic benefits of effective public health action across councils’ work following the transfer of responsibility for public health to local government in April 2013 and highlights specific local successes from several local authorities. 

The material addresses nine key areas

• the best start in life;
• healthy schools and pupils;
• helping people find good jobs and stay in work;
• active and safe travel;
• warmer and safer homes;
• access to green and open spaces and the role of leisure services;
• strong communities, wellbeing and resilience;
• public protection and regulatory services; and
• health and spatial planning.

The report has been endorsed in a foreword by Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman, Local Government Association; Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England; Janet Atherton, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health; and Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity.

The report and resources are available at www.kingsfund.org.uk/iph