News

08 Mar 2010
DEFRA - New indicators on regional progress towards sustainable development
An update of 46 measures of regional progress towards sustainable development in England was published on 25 February 2010 by Government statisticians at DEFRA. A formal statistical summary accompanies the indicators but the main interest lies in the detail for each indicator and in fact sheets for each of the Government Office Regions.

08 Mar 2010
Audit Commission discussion paper: 'The truth is out there'
This discussion paper looks at how the public sector can improve information made available to the public. 'The truth is out there' poses questions such as 'What information will capture the public’s imagination?' and 'How will the public know what information to trust?'

08 Mar 2010
East Midlands Regional Platform on Food, Physical Activity and Health
The social and economic costs of obesity are rising in the East Midlands. In the fight against this rising tide, public health champions in the region have signed a declaration to take action through the establishment of a Regional Platform on Food, Physical Activity and Health. The first of its kind in Europe, its supporters include the European Commission, the Chair of the East Midlands Leaders Board and the Regional Director of Public Health.

08 Mar 2010
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: Two Years On
The Department of Health has published 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: Two Years On'. This report includes progress made since the Government’s Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government Strategy for England was published in 2008. It sets out how the Government is helping people to make healthier choices; creating an environment that promotes healthy weight; ensuring effective services are available for those at risk; and strengthening the delivery system to support frontline services.

08 Mar 2010
Tackling problem drug use
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published 'Tackling problem drug use'. This report into government action to tackle problem drug use has concluded that there has been good progress in a number of areas, including an increasing number of problem drug users in effective treatment and an increasing number leaving treatment free from dependency. Without an evaluative framework for the Strategy as a whole, the NAO was not able to conclude positively on value for money. However, the NAO noted that the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) has estimated the benefit-cost ratio for drug treatment, the largest element of spending, at 2.5 to 1 and that the programme has delivered some significant successes.

04 Mar 2010
Updated data for the The Spend and Outcome Tool
The Spend and Outcome Tool has been updated with the 2008/9 programme budgeting data. This tool was commissioned by Department of Health and produced by Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory on behalf of the Association of Public Health Observatories. This tool allows a PCT to explore spend and outcome by programme budget category and the factsheet present an overview for 2007/8 and 2008/9.

19 Feb 2010
Improving health outcomes in deprived communities: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities Programme
This report forms part of the National Evaluation of the New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme. It examines interventions designed to improve health outcomes for NDC residents, and explores their subsequent impact. It draws on in-depth case study research in four NDC areas, as well as programme and national level outcome data. The report also looks at the sustainability of the NDC approaches, and draws lessons for both central government and local regeneration partnerships

17 Feb 2010
NICE consultation on Topics for the 2012/13 Quality and Outcomes Framework
NICE has opened the second and final phase of topic suggestion for the 2012/13 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). The closing date is 8 March 2010.

16 Feb 2010
Fair Society, Healthy Lives
A report has been published on the review by Professor Sir Michael Marmot of University College London 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives'. The aim of the review was to propose an evidence based strategy for reducing health inequalities from 2010. The strategy includes policies and interventions that address the social determinants of health inequalities.

16 Feb 2010
Sexual Health Balanced Scorecard
The South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO), lead PHO for sexual health in England, has launched a new web tool to support sexual health strategies in England. The scorecard was commissioned by the Department of Health and developed by SWPHO with the Health Protection Agency. It provides a suite of nationally agreed indicators at PCT level, presented in chart, table and map formats, together with documentation to support interpretation and use. A wide range of indicators is used relating to teenage pregnancy, abortions, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and other relevant issues. The tool will support sexual health and teenage pregnancy leads and others in making decisions regarding where to target resources.

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