Agenda item

To receive the Health & Wellbeing Strategy Performance and Outcomes Report.

The Director of Public Health presented the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Performance and Outcomes Report which complemented the preceding report and provided an update on the numerical indicators set out within the Health and Wellbeing Strategy performance framework.  The report was presented on a six-monthly basis and highlighted the data that had changed since the previous report.

Members attention was drawn to the indicators relating to life expectancy and healthy life expectancy which had been updated. The latest data continued to present a challenging picture with life expectancy remaining statistically lower than the England average.  Healthy life expectancy had deteriorated further and continued to perform below the national trend.

In relation to healthy weight, it was reported that the latest national survey data showed an increase in the proportion of adults classified as overweight or obese.  Whilst the figures were survey-based and subject to a degree of uncertainty, the data indicated that the borough was now performing worse than the national average.

Improvements were highlighted in smoking prevalence in the “Protect, Prevent and Detect Early” outcome and the estimates proportion of adults who smoked had decrease and was now statistically better than the England average.

A number of new screening and immunisation indicators had been added to the performance framework to provide a broader measure of heath protection activity and of particular note, bowel cancer screening rates had continued to improve and were not statistically similar to the national average.  Challenges remained around vaccination uptake, particularly amongst teenage children.

A question was raised regarding the source of the data and it was explained that indicators were drawn from a variety of sources with some measures based on a direct measurement programme such as healthy weight in children.  Other indicators such as adult obesity and smoking prevalence were derived from national surveys and were population estimates but GPs had been included within the national surveys.

Inequalities in life expectance and health life expectancy were a significant challenge, particularly within the borough’s most disadvantaged communities and early deaths and preventable conditions were major contributors to the reduced life expectancy.  Respiratory disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease accounted for around two-thirds of preventable deaths, with around one-third of preventable deaths being attributed to cancer.  The improvement in bowel cancer screening uptake was welcomed.  A range of awareness activities and social media campaigns had taken place, together with support from GP practices who undertook follow-ups with patients who had not responded to screening invitations.

There had been progress in smoking cessation with the introduction of the lung cancer screening programme which had enabled direct referrals for smokers resulting in a significant increase in residents accessing the Stop Smoking services. 

In regard to children’s development indicators, the Best Start in Life Plan, which covered pre-conception to children aged five, would be presented to Cabinet at the July meeting.  The Plan set out comprehensive measures to improve early childhood outcomes and support children to a good level of development.

During the debate, concerns were raised regarding the disparity between the local and national figures in relation to life expectancy and healthy life expectancy reassurance was sought that local intervention could make a meaningful contribution to improve local outcomes despite the scale of the challenge.  The importance of learning from areas that had already seen an improvement, but it was noted that it would take time for changes to life expectancy and required the collective efforts of all partner organisations.  An update was sought on vaping and the current activity taking place.

The Director of Public Health outlined a range of targeted initiatives which aimed to address the health inequalities within disadvantaged communities which were intended to improve these outcomes.  Vaping remained an effective tool in helping smokers to quit.  Concern did remain regarding the increasing number of young people taking up vaping despite having never smoked. Activity on the prevent of vaping focussed on schools and young people.   Following Royal Assent, the Tabacco and Vapes Bill would give greater clarify on the restrictions including measures relating to underage sales, age cohorts and controls on vaping products.  An update on smoking and vaping would be included in the Annual Public Health report at the September meeting.

Members of the Board noted the report.