Annual Report of the the Director of Public Health 2006 to 2007

A Closer Look

This year’s public health report focuses on some of the most important causes of ill-health in Southwark.

First we look in depth at health inequalities — how some people are unfairly disadvantaged in terms of health because of their age, gender, ethnicity, location, physical or mental ability,sexuality, income, language or other discriminating factor. This is a fundamental theme running through any public health report — but is a particularly huge issue for Southwark, being an inner city borough of great diversity and considerable deprivation.

We then look at the main so-called ‘lifestyle factors’ which can have such a profound effect on health — obesity including physical activity and nutrition, smoking and drinking, drugs and sex — before moving on to mental health problems, long-term conditions and commissioning for health and wellbeing. And, for those who want to delve into the data, we provide a compendium of key statistics.

As well as being a mine of useful information and a good read, our report will, I hope, go a long way in providing a basis for the joint strategic need assessments that the NHS Primary Care Trust and Southwark Council are required to undertake together. And our recommendations should also be considered in drafting the health and social care commissioning plans.

I would like to thank the many people who have helped to bring this report together, led by Geraldine O’Dea and Jin Lim from my senior team. Particular thanks go to colleagues in other parts of Health &
Social Care, and across Southwark Council.

Sadly this is my last Southwark public health report. After nearly 20 years in Lambeth and Southwark I shall be moving on to work at national level. But I shall always remember my time at Southwark
with great affection. It’s a fantastic, vibrant population in a truly stimulating setting — and my colleagues at the PCT and Council have been a wonderful team to be part of. I shall miss Southwark very much indeed.

Dr Alan Maryon Davis
Director of Public Health for Southwark