Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health.

The Director of Public Health at the London Borough of Harrow presented the Annual Public Health Report, she expressed gratitude to her team, particularly the Public Health Specialist for editorial support and the Deputy Director for Public Health for leading the report’s development.  The report adopted a monthly theme approach, which focused on health topics that aligned with awareness events and community relevance.  The themes included:

·                 January (Alcohol Awareness):  Promoting safe drinking habits, understanding unit limits, and the health benefits of moderation.

·                 February (Mental Health):  Addressing seasonal mental health challenges, encouraging open discussions, and raising awareness of available support.

·                 March (Start Well):  Focusing on early childhood health, including prenatal care, vaccination, oral health, and obesity prevention.

·                 April (Vaccinations):  Emphasising the importance of childhood and adult immunisations, including flu and COVID boosters.

·                 May (Tobacco Awareness):  Supporting the new tobacco and vapes bill, addressing nicotine addiction, and promoting smoking cessation.

·                 June (Circulatory Health):  Encouraging regular health checks, particularly for blood pressure, to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

·                 July (Environment and Health):  Raising awareness of the environment’s impact on health and promoting small actions for climate resilience.

·                 August (Physical Activity):  Motivating residents to increase activity levels, with programs like Couch to 5k and green gym initiatives.

·                 September (Sexual Health):  Promoting safe sex, early HIV detection, and sexual health services to reduce transmission.

·                 October (Women’s Health) and November (Men’s Health):  Encouraging cancer awareness, regular check-ups, and healthy lifestyle choices, with added emphasis on men's mental health support through campaigns like CALM.

·                 December (Isolation and Loneliness):  Highlighting the effects of winter isolation, with community hubs and encouraging neighbourly support during the festive season.

Each theme included an online webpage with resources, events, and key messages to support the health and well-being of Harrow residents.  The Director of Public Health noted that Harrow performed well in various health indicators, with low rates of preventable deaths and violent crime but faces challenges within areas such as childhood vaccinations and self-harm admissions.

The Board asked the following questions:

The Chair praised the health walks, noting that they were well-organised and supported by trained volunteers.  The Director for Public Health acknowledged the dedication of volunteer walk leaders and, emphasised the value they add to Harrow’s community efforts.

The Board requested more specific data in the report, suggesting that the figures for road safety incidents be broken down to distinguish between fatalities and serious injuries, which would aid in targeted road safety investments.  The Board also asked for actual numbers alongside percentages for the location of deaths to improve clarity.  The Director for Public Health confirmed the total deaths figure and agreed to incorporate both figures and percentages in future reports.

The Board expressed concerns about loneliness among the elderly, especially those unable to access community hubs or events.  The Director for Public Health mentioned the West INT project, which includes a befriending scheme to support people in their homes and encourage social engagement.  The Director for Public Health also highlighted digital solutions, such as telephone and online social groups, as innovative ways to reach isolated individuals.

The Board commended the Director for Public Health for her detailed and accessible reports over the years, expressing gratitude for her contributions and thanked her for her dedicated service.

RESOLVED:  The Board noted and supported the findings and recommendations of the report.