05 December 2003
Stronger performance indicators on cutting obesity and smoking, a national strategy on obesity and more resources for public health services are likely to result from the second Wanless Review.
An interim report will be published with the chancellor's Pre-Budget Report next week, and a final version in February 2004.
Former NatWest chief Derek Wanless has been asked to produce an update on his 2002 report on long-term health trends.
He told Public Finance last week that 'the government has a lot of levers it can pull,' including curbs on junk food advertising and public smoking bans. But improving public health, 'may or may not mean central regulation,' he said. 'There has to be a certain level of popular support.'
Wanless's first report set out the case for the large increases in NHS funding, financed out of general taxation, announced last year.
The second, Securing good health for the whole population, will focus on the public health interventions needed to implement the 'fully engaged' scenario that was assumed in the first report.
That presupposed a high level of involvement by the public in improving its own health. It would cost an estimated £30bn less by 2022/23 than more expensive funding options.
Wanless believes more robust targets are needed across all public services to reverse current trends on obesity, smoking and other health hazards. More resources should be directed towards 'whole population' and 'upstream' health services, he said.
A joint submission to the Review from the Local Government Association, the NHS Confederation and public health bodies has recommended setting common priorities on health improvement for the whole public sector, and greater investment in public health.
PFdec2003
