OVERVIEW

The public health white paper 'Healthy Lives, Healthy People' was published by the Department of Health towards the end of 2010 and set out the government's long-term vision for the future of public health in England. Directors of public health, now employed by local authorities and jointly appointed with the new 'wellness service', Public Health England, will lead on driving health improvement locally.

What is the impact of the recent health policy changes on known determinants of health, such as smoking, diet and other lifestyle behaviours? How are the wider reforms impacting on existing work to improve public health and address health inequalities? This conference will look at the work that is being done on the ground, taking a practical perspective on public health policy and examining how collaboration can achieve real results.

Health and wellbeing boards, based in local authorities, will provide a forum to bring together NHS commissioners, councils and elected councillors with patient champions to join up the public health agenda with the wider work of the NHS, social care and children's services. Many local authorities have already made initial steps in response to the white paper, with shadow health and wellbeing boards starting their work in April 2011. A focus on joint working – encouraging collaboration for health and wellbeing – is vital. A strong partnership between the NHS and local government is essential if further improvements in healthcare, social care and public health are to be delivered.

One of the key points made in the white paper is giving local communities the capacity and confidence to try out and evaluate a behavioural approach to sustainable health improvement. This means finding ways to encourage, support and enable people to make better choices for themselves, and there are numerous examples of where local authorities, charities, the government and private sector organisations are working in this way to encourage healthier behaviours. The recently published social marketing strategy for public health, 'Changing Behaviour, Improving Outcomes', aims to use social marketing to improve those behaviours that affect health outcomes.

Everyone has a part to play in improving public health. The Public Health Responsibility Deal, established in March 2011, brings together public sector, commercial, non-governmental and academic organisations, aiming to tap into the potential for businesses and other organisations to improve public health and help to tackle health inequalities through their influence over food, physical activity, alcohol and health in the workplace.

Improving Public Health: working in partnership will offer insightful and practical sessions on what is being done now, with lessons to be learned for all.