Public health team reports on the public's health

The latest Wiltshire Council Public Health Annual Report captures the historic importance of public health, and highlights the key and varied role the team plays in promoting, improving and protecting good health in the county. 

The Director of Public Health is required to  produce an annual report each year to highlight the health of the population.

This year the report takes the form of a video with Wiltshire Council public health director Tracy Daszkiewicz, former cabinet member for public health Jerry Wickham, and members of the public health team talking through the progress made during 2018.

The report is broken down into a number of areas which includes; how data is used to inform where the public health team focuses its efforts, how we are carrying out prevention work through the Warm and Well partnership scheme, the growing importance and recognition of vulnerability, the causes of ill health, public protection, and the drug and alcohol support available. 

The highlights of the 2017/18 report include:

• Life expectancy for both men and women is higher than the England average at just over 80 for men and 84 for women
• The Wiltshire population is projected to increase to 524,200 by 2030, up from the current figure of 484,400
  Through the Warm and Safe Wiltshire scheme more than 1,500 households have been supported, helping them save money on fuel bills and ensuring their homes keep them safe in the colder months
• Smoking prevalence was at its lowest in a decade in 2018 with 84% of Wiltshire adults not smoking
• The council's health trainers support around 1,000 people a year providing them with specialist one-to-one health support and advice with a success rate of 97%.
• The council is working with a number of stakeholders to improve air quality in Wiltshire's communities, including the launch of an app to encourage the school run to be done by car sharing, running the successful Beat the Street walking challenge, and support for the use of cleaner bus technology
• Turning Point being commissioned by the council to run the council's adult drug and alcohol service called Impact, which places prevention at the heart of all the work it does

Wiltshire Council director of public health, Tracy Daszkiewicz said: Our report provides a glimpse into the varied and fascinating role that our public health service plays day in, day out for the population of Wiltshire.

"The breath of public health and the sheer number of projects and initiatives we work on is not always understood, all with the aim of promoting and enhancing positive health and wellbeing.

"The data shows the population is set to increase and this will provide challenges, our report demonstrates we are making a positive difference and  are committed to assuring the population of Wiltshire, live long lives, in good health and in a place they feel safe and included.

The video can be found on our YouTube channel (opens new window).

More information about our public health service.

 Our report provides a glimpse into the varied and fascinating role that our public health service plays day in, day out for the population of Wiltshire.
Wiltshire Council director of public health, Tracy Daszkiewicz

Last updated: 19 July 2019 | Last reviewed: 19 July 2019