The inspiration for this public health report is Sir John Simon – who was the second Chief Medical Officer from 1855 – 1876.
According to the UCLA website Simon was also first Medical Officer of Health for the City of London. In his first annual report in 1849 he called for municipal action to eradicate slums, build model dwellings for the poor, provide public wash-houses, take control of the water supply, suppress offensive trades, provide a municipal cemetery, complete the drainage system, and establish a permanent sanitary inspector. The website tells us that he used his considerable political influencing skills to achieve these changes – precisely the skills required by local DsPH and the CMO.
Regrettably this report does not convince that his legacy continues.
With its list of over 50 medical conditions this is a return to a style of public health reporting that local public health leaders have increasingly tried to get away from as they have sought to give clear messages about priorities and actions that will engage, motivate and energise none health sectors and organisations that can make the biggest difference to health and wellbeing.
This is a shame because hidden away within it are concerning figures that should form the basis of an assertive call to action.
Page 245 – Healthy Standard of Living – Percentage of children living in poverty
Page 246 – Percentage of Households in Fuel Poverty
These figures show respectively a failure to reduce levels of poverty and a worrying increase in the number of households in fuel poverty.
Some of the solutions here rest with government – and require more than pious calls ‘for local authorities to actively promote the uptake of insulation’
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