01.07.14
Public health directors launch policy demands
The directors of public health in the north west have launched a manifesto outlining their 10 top priorities and the evidence for their proposed policies.
Abdul Razzaq, chairman of the North West Directors of Public Health Group (NWDsPH) said: “We aren’t only asking politicians in the capital to read and sign up to this document – all of us within our communities; individuals, groups and our local politicians, now have the chance to help us have an impact on the public health agenda locally and nationally. Hopefully the information and quite frankly, startling statistics, should result in some interesting conversations starting.”
The priorities are to:
• Introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol to tackle alcohol-related harm
• Introduce a sugar sweetened beverage duty at 20p per litre to reduce poor dental health, obesity and related conditions
• Commit to the eradication of childhood poverty to meet targets set by the Child Poverty Act 2010
• Work with employers to increase payment of the living wage to benefit both businesses and employees, and introduce a higher minimum wage
• Ban the marketing on television of foods high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm to reduce children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertising
• Implement the recommendations contained within the ‘1001 critical days’ cross-party report to ensure all babies have the best possible start in life
• Implement tougher regulation of pay day loan companies to prevent people ending up with unmanageable debts
• Require all schools to provide a minimum of one hour of physical activity to all pupils every day in line with UK physical activity guidelines for 5-18 year olds
• Introduce policies to encourage active travel and use of public transport to increase physical activity, reduce emissions, increase road safety and reduce pollution
• Require compulsory standardised front of pack labelling for all pre-packaged food and beverages (including alcohol)
The Group wants the document to be used as “a constructive evidence-based aid to policy development locally and nationally”, and to help inform policy-makers and politicians ahead of next year’s general election.
The manifesto is being launched today at the Festival of Public Health UK hosted by Manchester University.
Matthew Ashton, director of public health in Knowsley, said: “By identifying our top ten issues and working in collaboration at the highest level to address them will help us to deliver our priority of improving the health and wellbeing of our residents. I look forward to progressing them and I am confident that this will result in a range of benefits for our local communities.”
Visit http://phlive.org.uk/phmanifesto