News

"We urgently need to take action to tackle child obesity and councils are playing their part, but need more planning powers to help tackle this epidemic which has made the UK the most obese nation in western Europe."

Councils are urging residents to keep an eye on vulnerable or elderly family and friends and help save lives as the nation heads outside to bask in the sunshine. 

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to NHS Health Check figures published today by Public Health England, which marks the end of the first five-year cycle of the programme.

Cllr Linda Thomas, Vice Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to a report by the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation on an increase in emergency hospital readmissions.

The number of 10 and 11-year-old children classed as severely obese - the most overweight scale - in the final year of primary school is nearly double that of those in reception, new analysis by the Local Government Association reveals today.

"The findings of this survey highlight the need for urgent investment in oral health education so that parents and children understand the impact of sugar on teeth and the importance of good oral hygiene."

"These findings are not unexpected. Despite budget reductions, councils are determined to maintain vital public health services to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives, but the reality is that many local authorities are having to make difficult decisions on these key services, including stopping them altogether."

"Councils are committed to ensuring that those that need help with alcohol misuse get the right support and treatment."

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to the Lord Darzi Review of Health and Care (interim report), published by the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to an annual report published today by the Office for National Statistics on preventable deaths in the UK in 2016.