The Royal College of Physicians has welcomed the announcement today of an Office for Health Promotion.
In response to the announcement, Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Today’s announcement is a much-needed update on the government’s thinking about the future of public health.
“We are pleased to see the government recognise that coordinated action across government is needed to tackle the wider determinants of health.
“The creation of a cross-government ministerial board on prevention, alongside the Office of Health Promotion, could be a turning point for addressing health inequalities if it is given a remit to take policy action in other departments on issues like poor housing and air pollution which we know affect health outcomes.
“We now need a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities, underpinned by the necessary funding to implement it. This is something the Royal College of Physicians, along with the other 173 members of the Inequalities in Health Alliance, has long been advocating for.
“We look forward to seeing more detail when it is announced later this year, and hope to see the public health budget given a significant uplift at the spending review.”
