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According to a compelling badysis that will be published this week, more than 130,000 deaths in the UK since 2012 could have been avoided if improvements in public health policy had not been directly curbed by the cuts in health care. austerity.
The Institute for Research on Public Policy's (IPPR) think-tank study found that after two decades in which preventable diseases have been reduced through spending on better education and prevention, a "perfect storm" lasted seven years. Provisions were reduced due to budget cuts, while adverse behaviors among people of all ages increased.
If the progress had been maintained to those before 2013, about 131,000 lives could have been saved, concludes the IPPR. Despite promises made to the NHS at last year's 100th anniversary celebrations to give priority to prevention, the UK is now only half the list of countries in the fight against preventable diseases.
The report focuses on preventable diseases or disorders, such as heart disease, lung cancer or liver problems, which can be caused by unhealthy lifestyles and habits, often formed at a young age. It has been highlighted disturbing reductions in physical activity in schools and chronic underfunding of health visitors.
Lead researcher and author Dean Hochlaf said, "We have seen progress in reducing preventable diseases flat-footed since 2012. At the same time, local authorities have experienced significant reductions in their public health budgets, significantly reduces the capacity of prevention services. .
"The social conditions of many people have not improved since the economic crisis, creating a perfect storm that encourages unhealthy behaviors. This health problem will only worsen.
The IPPR calls for a "radical new prevention strategy" involving a renewed and increased commitment to the role of the state in disease prevention.
"We can no longer impose the burden of responsibility on individuals, while turning a blind eye to a social environment that makes it difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. It means investing in public health and ensuring that the government takes greater responsibility for creating a healthy environment. "
With regard to cuts in physical education at school, he states: "PE has been reduced in schools all over England, with a 5% reduction in the key phase 3 and 21% at key phase 4 reported between 2011 and 2017. The benefits of physical education – not just about physical development, but also promoting healthier lifestyles and helping to improve cognitive skills and social issues. "
The report adds: "Funding for physical education, which would come from sugar tax revenues, has been reduced from £ 415 million to £ 100 million in 2017, in part to fund an increase in the budget of base of the school. The lost funds should be replenished, potentially through an extension of the sugar tax to other high-sugar drinks and confectionery. "
Five mandatory medical visits should be arranged for each child at the beginning of their life, with an additional visit six months before the start of nursery clbades, says the IPPR. "These must be done by a qualified professional. Health visitors should receive additional training to collect essential information on key health indicators and be ready to offer support and advice to encourage badfeeding based on clinical evidence and information. ensuring that parents vaccinate their children. "
The researchers discovered that the medical check-up system was cracking under pressure.
"About two in five (44%) health visitors reported having more than 400 children, well above the recommended level of 250 per visitor to provide safe service." The report recommends 5,100 additional training for visitors.
In a statement, the Local Government Association said the government urgently needed to cancel the £ 700m reduction in public health funding since 2015 and fill a £ 3.6bn funding gap. adult social services by 2025.
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