Public Health Wales has published a new report ‘Investing in a Healthier Wales: prioritizing prevention’ and here are some key takeaways.
THE REPORT
This report by Public Health Wales highlights the importance of investing in preventative measures to not only keep people healthy but also tackle health inequalities and offer long-term value for money.
The report examines successful programmes from three stages of life, early years and children, healthy adults, and healthy aging, and showcases successful interventions that can benefit communities at each stage.
EARLY YEARS AND CHILDREN
One key finding in the report is that the child death rate in Wales is 70% higher for children in the most deprived communities compared to those in more affluent areas.
Addressing this, the report identifies several effective interventions:
- Integrated services for maternal and parental mental health
- Early years education programmes especially for low income families
- Programmes supporting women to stop smoking during pregnancy
HEALTHY ADULTS
For adults, the report highlights that those in the most deprived areas are at a significantly higher risk of dying from preventable causes. Key interventions that can help reduce this risk include:
- Multi-component approaches to reducing self-harm and suicide
- Physical activity initiatives to mitigate against obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes
- Data sharing between organisations, reducing the cost associated with violence
HEALTHY AGEING
The report also highlights a stark disparity in life expectancy, with a 17-year gap for women and a 13-year gap for men between the most and least deprived areas of Wales. Interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults include:
- Programmes and interventions to promote independent living of older people
- Programme to address loneliness and isolation
- Prediabetes management programmes
The report underscores the financial benefits of public health interventions, noting that for every £1 invested, there is a return of £14 in value.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To read the full report.
Find out more about WCVA’s work in health and social care.