Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services and the Director of Public Health which presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Director of Public Health for County Durham (for copy of report see file of minutes).

In moving the report, Councillor C Hood, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services Service welcomed the independent annual report from the Director of Public Health.

The annual report provided an update on the current health and well-being of residents and some of the in depth work carried out to understand the needs of veterans across County Durham. It also recognised some of the challenges faced over the last ten years such as the response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living crisis and the impact these significant issues placed on health and well-being. The report also provided an update on the work of the Health and Wellbeing board undertaken against the four current key health priorities for County Durham, which were

·      making smoking history

·      enabling healthy weight for all

·      improving mental health resilience and well-being; and

·      and reducing alcohol harms

The report highlighted that smoking prevalence had decreased by 6.7%, a reduction of 26,700 smokers since 2013. However at 14.5% levels in County Durham remained above the national average and it was important to concentrate efforts in County Durham in having a smoke-free future for families. The report highlighted the strong links with the social determinants of health, with joint work between health and the economy.

Councillor T Henderson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services was pleased to second the annual report for 2023, and the particular focus on family hubs and the start to life programme to improve the lives of babies, children, young people and their parents.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.