The Financial Case for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

The NHS in England is undergoing significant restructuring, with new clinical commissioning groups taking the lead in health service commissioning. Responsibility for public health moves back to local authorities from the NHS, and a new lead statutory body, Public Health England, is to be established. Co-ordinating health promotion, disease prevention and NHS treatment is more important than ever to deliver a truly integrated service.

This timely publication outlines the changes and challenges to the public health service in England and focuses on the financial case for spending on disease prevention and health promotion to improve the future health of our population. It includes a series of case studies that review evidence for investment in public health schemes and payback. The publication looks at schemes aimed at tackling obesity, alcohol, smoking, early years development and health promotion in the workplace, and schemes that provide preventative and risk-based care through integrated partnerships. It includes guidance on making evidence-based changes to health programmes to specifically improve health outcomes.

The case for reducing health inequalities is observed UK-wide; the significant health challenges in Scotland and in some parts of London and the costs of these inequalities are examined.

This publication has been developed for staff working on finance and public health in the NHS and local authorities in England. Clinical commissioning groups will find it an indispensable resource, while the UK-wide perspective makes this a valuable guide for authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.