PublicHealthMatters

As students are welcomed into the new academic year, we know how important schools and colleges are to their health and wellbeing. There are significant risks associated with missed education, for children and young people’s health, wellbeing, attainment and life chances. Whilst the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection in children and young people … Read more

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to pregnant women at any point during their pregnancy. To date at least 62,000 women in the UK have received at least one dose. If you’re expecting, here are five key reasons why you should get the jab. 1) Getting two doses is the best way to protect yourself from … Read more

The pandemic has reminded us how brilliant our scientists are and how effective the NHS is at running life-saving vaccination programmes. I welcome the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) advice that 16 and 17 year olds be routinely offered the COVID-19 vaccine. We should also be proud and very grateful that, unlike many … Read more

In February 2021, the Government published a roadmap out of lockdown. This set out a four-stage process for lifting coronavirus restrictions and returning to a more normal way of life. On July 19, the Government moved to stage four of the roadmap and most restrictions have now been lifted. However, the pandemic is far from … Read more

Everyone has made huge sacrifices to bring COVID-19 under control. The whole country is reflecting on what has been achieved in suppressing the virus and getting to a point where we can start to regain some normality. We have learned important lessons from responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and there is a brilliant opportunity to … Read more

Alcoholic liver disease has risen sharply in the last year. Our report on alcohol consumption and harm during the COVID-19 pandemic shows an unprecedented increase in alcoholic liver disease deaths. In 2020, 5,608 alcoholic liver deaths were recorded in England, a rise of almost 21% compared to 2019. This is substantially above pre-COVID trends – … Read more

Dame Carol Black published her report last week on part two of her independent review of drugs, focusing on drug prevention, treatment and recovery. A government response to the report is expected soon. We are pleased to have supported Dame Carol’s review and welcome its powerful findings. The review drew on an impressive wealth and … Read more

In 2018 Public Health England (PHE) asked the public about their experiences with reproductive health issues and over 7,500 women and people with female reproductive needs responded. Many told us of their desire for reproductive health problems to be normalised, destigmatised and openly discussed. When they need help, they want to know when and how … Read more

Today we have published new estimates, based on an updated methodology, on the deaths and hospital admissions caused by smoking. The figures are around 15% lower than previously published but what does this tell us about smoking in England? Why do the estimates of death and disease caused by smoking appear to have gone down … Read more

This week is Breastfeeding Celebration Week, and this year we’re focusing on how partners and the wider family can support new mothers to breastfeed. The emotional and practical help can make a huge difference to the breastfeeding experience and opportunity to bond with the new baby. We know breastfeeding delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits … Read more