P1:
A summary of the three reports:
The Acheson report, like Black, embraces the socioeconomic model of health and its
inequities, which links factors like money, education, and work to overall health as well as
the physical environment and way of life. There are three key areas noted: a high priority
should be placed on the health of families with children, and additional measures should be
taken to reduce income inequality and raise the standard of living for low-income
households. All policies that are likely to have an impact on health should be assessed in
terms of their impact on health inequalities. Since childhood is viewed as a crucial and
vulnerable time where low socioeconomic conditions can have long-lasting repercussions,
priority is granted to families with children. Additionally, it is believed that the best opportunity
of eliminating future disparities in mental and physical health is through treatments involving
parents, particularly current and prospective moms, and children. Continued benefit levels
for families with children, actions to enhance women's and children's health and nutrition,
encouragement of breastfeeding, a decrease in the incidence of smoking during pregnancy,
and social and emotional support for parents are just a few examples of specific
recommendations.
The black report demonstrated in considerable detail the extent to which illness and death
are unequally distributed among British citizens and made the argument that these
disparities have grown rather than shrunk since the National Health Service was founded in
1948. The Report came to the conclusion that these disparities were not primarily caused by
shortcomings in the NHS, but rather by a variety of other socioeconomic disparities that have
an impact on health, including income, education, housing, food, employment, and working
conditions. As a result, the Report recommended a broad approach to social policy
initiatives to address health inequality.
The Beveridge Report, authored by Sir William Beveridge in 1942, discussed five "Evil
Giants" in society. The study suggested that the post-war period was a moment for
significant change, and one suggestion was for the government to develop new strategies
for illness prevention. It suggested that every employed person should contribute a specific
sum to the organisation in exchange for assistance for the jobless, the ill, the retired, or the
bereaved. The Beveridge report made several recommendations on how to overcome
poverty; a government minister to be appointed to control the benefits schemes, a national
health service should be set up, unemployed people have the right to payments for an
indefinite period, family allowances to be brought up, benefits such as pension(for old age),
maternity grant, pensions for widows and people injured at work and finally national
insurance to be made for those people who are at work.
Identifying the needs of the population
In order to eliminate health disparities and assess how successfully health and care services
are distributed to a particular demographic, the first strategy, "identifying the
requirements of the community," is crucial
Health inequalities are one example of a health issue highlighted in England using the
Acheson Report. The Acheson Report was a UK government report published in 1998 that
revealed the prevalence of considerable health inequities in England, notably between
various socioeconomic classes.
,Lower socioeconomic categories had significantly worse health outcomes than higher
socioeconomic groups, with greater rates of mortality, morbidity, and ill health, according to
the survey. According to the research, these health disparities are caused by a variety of
social determinants of health, such as income, education, and employment.
Overall, the Acheson Report identified health inequalities as a major health issue in
England and emphasised the significance of tackling social determinants of health in order to
reduce these gaps. Policymakers can help improve overall health outcomes and minimise
health inequities in England by tackling the socioeconomic determinants of health.
The Acheson Report proposed a number of government initiatives to improve health
disparities in England. Among these actions were:
First initiative is Poverty reduction: The report recommended that the government
implement measures to alleviate poverty, such as raising the minimum wage, boosting
access to education and training, and enhancing social security benefits.
Second initiative is enhancing access to health care: The report recommended that the
government increase access to health care for persons in lower socioeconomic groups,
including boosting financing for public health initiatives and enhancing access to primary
care services. (GOV)
Third initiative is Addressing social determinants of health: According to the report, the
government should address social determinants of health such as housing, education, and
employment, which can have a major impact on health outcomes. (National Institutes of
Health)
Fourth initiative is Tackling prejudice: The report recommended that the government take
actions to combat prejudice, such as enhancing minority groups' access to employment
opportunities and eliminating workplace discrimination. (National Institutes of Health)
Overall, the Acheson Report proposed a number of government steps to reduce health
inequities in England, including poverty reduction, improved access to health care,
addressing socioeconomic determinants of health, and addressing prejudice. Policymakers
can assist improve overall health outcomes and reduce health inequities in England by
implementing these ideas.
Planning and evaluating
The second strategy is "Planning and Evaluating," in which the Department of Health
collaborates with a number of organisations in the UK to do public health research. After
gaining this knowledge, they can determine which organisations they need to set up to
achieve the structural shift in healthcare required in that particular region.
Obesity has been shown to reduce life expectancy in England. Obesity is linked to a variety
of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of
cancer. These health problems can reduce life expectancy and increase the risk of death.
,According to a Public Health England report, those who are very obese (BMI 40 or more)
have a life expectancy that is up to ten years lower than those with a healthy BMI. The
survey also discovered that obesity is linked to a number of health issues that might shorten
one's life expectancy, such as heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
The national government can play an essential role in adopting initiatives aimed at
reducing obesity levels in England. The national government can accomplish this in a variety
of ways, including: (National Institutes of Health)
First initiative is Creating a national strategy: The national government can create a
comprehensive obesity strategy that includes goals, targets, and specific activities that must
be followed to reach those goals. (National Institutes of Health)
Second initiative is Funding efforts: The federal government can fund activities that
encourage healthy eating and physical activity, such as school programmes or public health
campaigns. (National Institutes of Health)
Third initiative is Creating rules: The national government can create legislation to
encourage healthy food choices, such as imposing charges on sugary drinks or mandating
calorie labelling on restaurant menus. (National Institutes of Health)
Fourth initiative is Research: The national government can invest in research to better
understand the causes of obesity and to assess the success of obesity-reduction measures.
(National Institutes of Health)
And the fifth initiative is Coordinating activities: To ensure that policies are integrated and
successful, the national government can coordinate efforts across sectors such as health,
education, and urban planning. (National Institutes of Health)
Overall, the national government may play a critical role in adopting measures aimed at
reducing obesity levels in England. Policymakers may help improve overall health outcomes
and lower the prevalence of obesity in England by taking a comprehensive approach that
involves defining a national strategy, providing funds, setting rules, conducting research, and
coordinating efforts.
Local government can play an essential role in enacting initiatives aimed at reducing
obesity levels in England. Local governments can accomplish this in a variety of ways,
including:
First initiative is Creating healthy surroundings: Local governments can create healthy
environments that encourage physical activity by constructing parks and playgrounds, as
well as bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. (National Institutes of Health)
Second initiative is Promoting healthy eating: Local governments can promote healthy
eating by making fresh, healthful food more accessible, such as by funding farmers' markets
or building community gardens. (National Institutes of Health)
, Third initiative is Physical activity promotion: Local governments can encourage physical
activity by giving access to sporting facilities, such as public swimming pools or sports
centres. (National Institutes of Health)
Fourth initiative is Creating local policies: Local governments can create policies that
promote healthy behaviours, such as enacting healthy food policies in schools or creating
incentives for businesses that promote healthy behaviours. (National Institutes of Health)
And fifth initiative is Community engagement: Local governments can work with the
community to raise awareness about the hazards of obesity and support healthy behaviours,
for example by sponsoring public health events or providing health education programmes.
(National Institutes of Health)
Overall, local government can play an essential role in enacting policies that aim to reduce
obesity levels in England. Policymakers can help improve overall health outcomes by taking
a comprehensive approach that includes building healthy settings, supporting healthy eating,
promoting physical exercise, crafting local legislation, and interacting with the community
and reduce the prevalence of obesity in their local area.
Promoting the health of the population and minimising harm from environmental
factors.
The third strategy, "enhancing the health of the population and reducing harm,"
contributes to the advancement of public health since it aims to lessen both environmental
impact and population-wide poor health. The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural
Affairs (DEFRA), a government agency, is in charge of developing and carrying out policies
pertaining to environmental, food safety, and rural issues. It is also in charge of maintaining
and protecting biodiversity, the marine environment, British farming, and food production, as
well as minimizing harm to the populace as a result of environmental issues and upholding a
sustainable future. (National Institutes of Health)
Air pollution: asthma
Several national initiatives in England aim to reduce the number of people at risk of asthma
caused by air pollution. Among these initiatives are:
The first initiative is The Clean Air Strategy is a nationwide project that aims to reduce air
pollution and enhance air quality across the country. The policy includes steps to promote
cleaner fuels and technology, as well as actions to cut emissions from automobiles, industry,
and agriculture.
The second initiative is The Environment Bill is a proposed piece of law that includes steps
to minimise air pollution and enhance air quality. The law includes provisions to build a
framework for air quality governance, establish new air quality targets, and strengthen
municipal air quality management.
The third initiative is The nationwide Clean Air Programme: The National Clean Air
Programme is a nationwide effort that aims to reduce air pollution and enhance air quality in
