RESUB
P1- Explain the strategies used to develop public health policy in order for it to meet its aims.
The origins and aims of public health policy
What is Public Health?
The health of the population as a whole, especially as the subject of government regulation and
support. The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through
the organised efforts of society.
What were the Origins and aims of Public Health Policy
The origins of the Public Health policy according to the article titled ‘The origins of Public Health
policy and legislation’ (nd) started with the 1848 Public Health Act. This was an act set up the Board
of Health and was the first time that Government had actually legislated on health issues. The Public
Health Act 1948 allowed local authorities to be given the power to select an officer of health, who
had to be a legally qualified medical practitioner, and to improve sanitation in their area, e.g., collect
rubbish, build sewers, and provide a clean water supply. There are many aims of the Public Health
Act as it ensures to create prime conditions for maximising the potential of every individuals health
throughout their lives. Therefore, a few of the main objectives include increasing the chances of
survival at birth, and an increase in active life expectancy, ensuring there is no reduction in your
quality of life despite your social group or condition and developing stewardship by people for their
own health. Some of the more specific aims and objectives include ensuring social and economic
security for everyone, making sure people get a healthy start in life, improving the health of older
people, creating a healthy and safe environment and the ability to control chronic, non-
communicable diseases. These are just a few of the many ways in which the public health policy
intends to ensure that you live a healthy, and happy lifestyle.
Contributions
There were many contributions to the Public Health system that made it as advanced as it is today
and one of these includes the Beveridge Report 1942. The website Wikipedia (nd) said that
the Beveridge Report was written by William Beveridge, and is a government report, published in
November 1942, influential in the founding of the welfare state in the United Kingdom. William
proposed new reforms to the system of social welfare due to the ‘Five Giants’ which were want,
disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. During WWII these new reforms became very popular as
they formed the basis for post-war reforms known as the Welfare State, and eventually lead to the
creation of the NHS in 1948.
Another contribution to the Public Health system was the National Health Service Act which was
created in 1946. This act was a huge breakthrough when it came to the health and wellbeing of the
population of England and Wales, as it allowed healthcare to be free and accessible for all meaning
any ailments they had were able to be treated without any extra cost as it was already funded by the
government.
Risk of epidemics
When and epidemic arises, there are many risks that have to be considered. For example, one of the
main ones is the costs to the health system, as no matter whether you are a public or private service
due to the amount of funding that has to go towards the treatment of service users funding is
usually needed in very high amounts. Usually, treatments have to be found quickly and efficiently in
,order to stop the spread of infection before it becomes too much for the NHS to handle. For
example, Covid-19 turned very quickly from an epidemic to a pandemic as not enough safety
precautions were taken quick enough in order to control the spread of disease. Therefore, medical
professionals had to get a vaccine made in a very short space of time which would have had a huge
negative effect on costs.
Another risk of epidemics is the panic and fear that is caused as a result of it often leads to a rise in
mental health patients. For example, during lockdown in 2020 as a result of the corona virus, The
Guardian (30th June 2020) said that Overall, 65% of adult participants with a pre-existing mental
health problem said it had become worse during lockdown, with the figure was higher, at 75%,
among people aged 13-24 with pre-existing mental health problems. Therefore, this places emphasis
on the affect it has on not just peoples physical wellbeing, but also their mental which subsequently
leads to populations health deteriorating faster which has a knock on affect to the NHS and other
healthcare services such as therapy and counselling.
Planning national provision of healthcare and promoting the health of the population:
The government’s main aim is to ensure that the health of its citizens is the most important thing to
them and therefore, in order to promote the health of the population the health and social care
student book 2 said that the public health policy was created in order to address multiple issues such
as dementia, mental health issues and rising rates of resistance to antimicrobial treatments as well
as raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating, exercising, moderation in alcohol
consumption and stopping smoking. By doing this, it will help shape the planning process of health
provision as it will take into account things such as lifestyle choices, housing, education, and
prevalence of diseases etc. to see the current health trends within the population. To meet the
needs of a changing demographic, public health policy needs to be responsive. To plan for future
needs and to provide care in acute situations such as the swine flu epidemic in 2009, the
government needs to gather statistical data and commission reports into current trends in health
within the nation as well as attempting to predict future developments in the health status of the
nation.
Identifying and monitoring needs of the population
Population Health is an approach that is aimed to improve the physical and mental health outcomes,
promote good wellbeing, and decrease health inequalities across the population. This includes
focusing on the wider determinants of health – which have a significant impact as only 20% of a
person’s health outcomes are attributed to the ability to access good quality health care – and the
crucial role of communities and local people.
Population Health Management is an emerging technique for local health and care partnerships to
use data to design new models of proactive care and deliver improvements in health and wellbeing
which make best use of the collective resources.
Population health management according to the NHS website (2020) is helping us understand our
current, and predict our future, health, and care needs so we can take action in tailoring better care
and support with individuals, design more joined up and sustainable health and care services and
make better use of public resources. It is a partnership approach across the NHS and other public
services including: councils, the public, schools, fire service, voluntary sector, housing associations,
social services, and police. All have a role to play in in addressing the interdependent issues that
affect people’s health and wellbeing.
, For example, adults and children who live in cold, damp housing may be more likely to develop
respiratory problems over the next 20 years because their lungs are affected by the mould spores in
their home. If we improved their housing now by working with partners such as local councils and
housing associations, they may not end up with various health conditions in the future which can
result in poor quality of life (conditions like asthma, chest infections, and other respiratory
problems) and could avoid the need for multiple health and care services.
Identifying and reducing inequalities between groups and communities in society
Unfortunately, there are still people who are discriminated against in society which can lead to a
reduction in the quality of health care they receive. People like those who are not registered with a
GP, homeless people and rough sleepers, asylum seekers, gypsy, and traveller groups, those in
prison, those with mental health conditions, those with drug or alcohol harm issues, people with
learning disabilities, physical disabilities or communication difficulties, non-English speakers and, sex
workers are all people who do not get equal rights in terms of health care.
The Gov.uk website (2021) said that all eligible people should be able to access NHS population
screening programmes and understand the potential benefits and harms of screening tests in
ordered to make an informed choice. However, variation in participation exists both within and
between national screening programmes. Barriers can result in some people being unable to
maximise the benefits of screening. And people at higher risk of the conditions being screened for
are generally less likely to participate.
The NHS England Standard Contract Service Condition 13 (SC13) outlines the contractual
requirements for equity of access to services, equality and the avoidance of discrimination. Under
the Equality Act 2010, the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Public Services (Social Value) Act
2013, NHS screening providers have a legal duty to make sure screening services are accessible to
everyone, including people with one or more protected characteristic.
Protecting individuals, groups, and communities in society from threats to health and wellbeing that
arise from environmental hazards and communicable diseases:
From the 1970s onwards, factors such as crime rates, housing conditions, pollution, economic
regeneration, and education were observed as affecting the health and wellbeing of people. There
are worldwide and national guidelines about monitoring these issues and suggesting improvements
to protect the population from these hazards. For example, there is legislation about the disposal of
toxic waste and standards governing air quality in cities with regard to vehicle emissions. A new local
authority role, Director of Health, required local authorities to be directly responsible for the health
of their residents. The health and social care student book 2 said that all communicable illnesses are
reported through a GP, or local hospital, to a regional health team who monitor the overall
incidence. If several cases of an infectious disease are reported, then an outbreak management
team investigates, monitoring its spread throughout the local area, and putting in place medical
resources to prevent further spread. Wherever possible, preventative measures are used against
infections that are likely to occur on a seasonal basis. For example, flu vaccination is offered to
vulnerable people, including the elderly, or those with a specific health condition such as diabetes,
to prevent the illness in these groups. The immunisation of babies and infants to prevent the spread
of communicable diseases such as mumps, measles, and rubella, is another example of a
preventative measure. Controlling an outbreak of an infectious disease would include a case
definition report. This includes information about the time, place, the person, and the illness, so that
a picture can be established to understand where the outbreak started. The local health authorities
use this information to report to the national health body, which allows monitoring of whether the
P1- Explain the strategies used to develop public health policy in order for it to meet its aims.
The origins and aims of public health policy
What is Public Health?
The health of the population as a whole, especially as the subject of government regulation and
support. The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through
the organised efforts of society.
What were the Origins and aims of Public Health Policy
The origins of the Public Health policy according to the article titled ‘The origins of Public Health
policy and legislation’ (nd) started with the 1848 Public Health Act. This was an act set up the Board
of Health and was the first time that Government had actually legislated on health issues. The Public
Health Act 1948 allowed local authorities to be given the power to select an officer of health, who
had to be a legally qualified medical practitioner, and to improve sanitation in their area, e.g., collect
rubbish, build sewers, and provide a clean water supply. There are many aims of the Public Health
Act as it ensures to create prime conditions for maximising the potential of every individuals health
throughout their lives. Therefore, a few of the main objectives include increasing the chances of
survival at birth, and an increase in active life expectancy, ensuring there is no reduction in your
quality of life despite your social group or condition and developing stewardship by people for their
own health. Some of the more specific aims and objectives include ensuring social and economic
security for everyone, making sure people get a healthy start in life, improving the health of older
people, creating a healthy and safe environment and the ability to control chronic, non-
communicable diseases. These are just a few of the many ways in which the public health policy
intends to ensure that you live a healthy, and happy lifestyle.
Contributions
There were many contributions to the Public Health system that made it as advanced as it is today
and one of these includes the Beveridge Report 1942. The website Wikipedia (nd) said that
the Beveridge Report was written by William Beveridge, and is a government report, published in
November 1942, influential in the founding of the welfare state in the United Kingdom. William
proposed new reforms to the system of social welfare due to the ‘Five Giants’ which were want,
disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. During WWII these new reforms became very popular as
they formed the basis for post-war reforms known as the Welfare State, and eventually lead to the
creation of the NHS in 1948.
Another contribution to the Public Health system was the National Health Service Act which was
created in 1946. This act was a huge breakthrough when it came to the health and wellbeing of the
population of England and Wales, as it allowed healthcare to be free and accessible for all meaning
any ailments they had were able to be treated without any extra cost as it was already funded by the
government.
Risk of epidemics
When and epidemic arises, there are many risks that have to be considered. For example, one of the
main ones is the costs to the health system, as no matter whether you are a public or private service
due to the amount of funding that has to go towards the treatment of service users funding is
usually needed in very high amounts. Usually, treatments have to be found quickly and efficiently in
,order to stop the spread of infection before it becomes too much for the NHS to handle. For
example, Covid-19 turned very quickly from an epidemic to a pandemic as not enough safety
precautions were taken quick enough in order to control the spread of disease. Therefore, medical
professionals had to get a vaccine made in a very short space of time which would have had a huge
negative effect on costs.
Another risk of epidemics is the panic and fear that is caused as a result of it often leads to a rise in
mental health patients. For example, during lockdown in 2020 as a result of the corona virus, The
Guardian (30th June 2020) said that Overall, 65% of adult participants with a pre-existing mental
health problem said it had become worse during lockdown, with the figure was higher, at 75%,
among people aged 13-24 with pre-existing mental health problems. Therefore, this places emphasis
on the affect it has on not just peoples physical wellbeing, but also their mental which subsequently
leads to populations health deteriorating faster which has a knock on affect to the NHS and other
healthcare services such as therapy and counselling.
Planning national provision of healthcare and promoting the health of the population:
The government’s main aim is to ensure that the health of its citizens is the most important thing to
them and therefore, in order to promote the health of the population the health and social care
student book 2 said that the public health policy was created in order to address multiple issues such
as dementia, mental health issues and rising rates of resistance to antimicrobial treatments as well
as raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating, exercising, moderation in alcohol
consumption and stopping smoking. By doing this, it will help shape the planning process of health
provision as it will take into account things such as lifestyle choices, housing, education, and
prevalence of diseases etc. to see the current health trends within the population. To meet the
needs of a changing demographic, public health policy needs to be responsive. To plan for future
needs and to provide care in acute situations such as the swine flu epidemic in 2009, the
government needs to gather statistical data and commission reports into current trends in health
within the nation as well as attempting to predict future developments in the health status of the
nation.
Identifying and monitoring needs of the population
Population Health is an approach that is aimed to improve the physical and mental health outcomes,
promote good wellbeing, and decrease health inequalities across the population. This includes
focusing on the wider determinants of health – which have a significant impact as only 20% of a
person’s health outcomes are attributed to the ability to access good quality health care – and the
crucial role of communities and local people.
Population Health Management is an emerging technique for local health and care partnerships to
use data to design new models of proactive care and deliver improvements in health and wellbeing
which make best use of the collective resources.
Population health management according to the NHS website (2020) is helping us understand our
current, and predict our future, health, and care needs so we can take action in tailoring better care
and support with individuals, design more joined up and sustainable health and care services and
make better use of public resources. It is a partnership approach across the NHS and other public
services including: councils, the public, schools, fire service, voluntary sector, housing associations,
social services, and police. All have a role to play in in addressing the interdependent issues that
affect people’s health and wellbeing.
, For example, adults and children who live in cold, damp housing may be more likely to develop
respiratory problems over the next 20 years because their lungs are affected by the mould spores in
their home. If we improved their housing now by working with partners such as local councils and
housing associations, they may not end up with various health conditions in the future which can
result in poor quality of life (conditions like asthma, chest infections, and other respiratory
problems) and could avoid the need for multiple health and care services.
Identifying and reducing inequalities between groups and communities in society
Unfortunately, there are still people who are discriminated against in society which can lead to a
reduction in the quality of health care they receive. People like those who are not registered with a
GP, homeless people and rough sleepers, asylum seekers, gypsy, and traveller groups, those in
prison, those with mental health conditions, those with drug or alcohol harm issues, people with
learning disabilities, physical disabilities or communication difficulties, non-English speakers and, sex
workers are all people who do not get equal rights in terms of health care.
The Gov.uk website (2021) said that all eligible people should be able to access NHS population
screening programmes and understand the potential benefits and harms of screening tests in
ordered to make an informed choice. However, variation in participation exists both within and
between national screening programmes. Barriers can result in some people being unable to
maximise the benefits of screening. And people at higher risk of the conditions being screened for
are generally less likely to participate.
The NHS England Standard Contract Service Condition 13 (SC13) outlines the contractual
requirements for equity of access to services, equality and the avoidance of discrimination. Under
the Equality Act 2010, the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Public Services (Social Value) Act
2013, NHS screening providers have a legal duty to make sure screening services are accessible to
everyone, including people with one or more protected characteristic.
Protecting individuals, groups, and communities in society from threats to health and wellbeing that
arise from environmental hazards and communicable diseases:
From the 1970s onwards, factors such as crime rates, housing conditions, pollution, economic
regeneration, and education were observed as affecting the health and wellbeing of people. There
are worldwide and national guidelines about monitoring these issues and suggesting improvements
to protect the population from these hazards. For example, there is legislation about the disposal of
toxic waste and standards governing air quality in cities with regard to vehicle emissions. A new local
authority role, Director of Health, required local authorities to be directly responsible for the health
of their residents. The health and social care student book 2 said that all communicable illnesses are
reported through a GP, or local hospital, to a regional health team who monitor the overall
incidence. If several cases of an infectious disease are reported, then an outbreak management
team investigates, monitoring its spread throughout the local area, and putting in place medical
resources to prevent further spread. Wherever possible, preventative measures are used against
infections that are likely to occur on a seasonal basis. For example, flu vaccination is offered to
vulnerable people, including the elderly, or those with a specific health condition such as diabetes,
to prevent the illness in these groups. The immunisation of babies and infants to prevent the spread
of communicable diseases such as mumps, measles, and rubella, is another example of a
preventative measure. Controlling an outbreak of an infectious disease would include a case
definition report. This includes information about the time, place, the person, and the illness, so that
a picture can be established to understand where the outbreak started. The local health authorities
use this information to report to the national health body, which allows monitoring of whether the
