About public health
Public health helps people stay healthy and protects them from risks to their health.
We provide a range of services that help people lead healthier lives, by:
- reducing the risk of poor development in babies
- keeping school children healthy
- building emotional resilience in our young people
- reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, diabetes, falls, obesity and sexually transmitted infections
- helping residents to stop smoking or lose weight
- preventing and reducing harm from drugs and alcohol
We work with partners locally to address health challenges collectively. These include healthcare providers such as the NHS, community organisations and the voluntary sector.
Public Health has been defined as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organised efforts and informed choices of society, organisations, public and private, communities and individuals". Public Health became a statutory function of the Council in 2013 through the Health and Social Care Act (2012).