Directorate of Public Health

• Substance Use - Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
• Child Health
• Public Mental Health
• Nutrition and Healthy Weight
• Climate Change and Sustainability
• Prevention of infectious diseases and other hazards to public health in the community
• Screening
• Blood Borne Viruses and Sexual Health
• Health and Work
• Financial Inclusion
• Oral Health
• Physical Activity
• Early Years and Young People
• Health Intelligence
• Healthcare Services Public Health

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024/25

The Director of Public Health's Annual Report outlines the current and projected characteristics of the Tayside population, key health and ill health metrics, and risk factors which can be influenced to determine the likelihood and cause of disease.

It has been designed as a reference document summarising current epidemiological trends, to inform health and social care planning and targeting of resource to greatest impact.

Action being taken by the specialty of Public Health in each of the areas outlined above is detailed in papers presented to the Population Health Committee of Tayside NHS Board.
 
The current health challenges here in Tayside, across Scotland and in the UK are stark.  As a result of higher birth rates in the 1960s there are more people currently entering their 60s than ever before.  At the same time, our overall health is worsening.  Levels of obesity are increasing, giving rise to increased incidence of Type 2 Diabetes and other associated health conditions, mental health is deteriorating, and substance use of all types is remaining stubbornly high.  These are all interlinked and highly dependent on the environment in which we live.

At the same time, public sector finances are under inordinate pressure.  Reasons for this include the changing demographics and health challenges of the population, and the wider political and financial context in which we live (nationally and internationally).

The provision of health and care services is mostly reactive.  There to support and help people when problems arise.  However, treating ill health is costly in all ways and less effective than achieving prevention.

Furthermore, money consumed by the health services is resource away from other services such as schools, public transport networks, wider community opportunities to promote physical activity and wellbeing.  How we choose to use our public sector resource has ramifications for everyone.

The next ten years or so are going to be incredibly challenging as we balance reactive health and care needs against the strategic imperative to promote health and wellbeing for all.

Prevention of disease and early interventions are critical to protecting health, improving wellbeing and ensuring health and social care services continue to have capacity to deliver the best possible care.  Creating change and ensuring everyone is supported to achieve the best possible health and wellbeing must continue to be all of our priority for best population health gain.