Sue Siegel Hugh Alderwick Sabine Vuik Chris Ham Hannah Patel
This paper argues that while providing healthcare is important there needs to be a shift beyond traditional forms of health treatment through medical prescription by giving way to the induction of support groups in societies that can have more of an impact.
The health of a population is influenced by a wide range of factors, most of which lie outside the healthcare system. This includes social, economic and environmental factors, as well as individuals’ behaviors.
Tackling the major health challenges facing populations across the globe – including the rise of chronic diseases and widening inequities in health – requires co-ordinated action between different parts of society. Yet approaches to improving population health are typically fragmented and imbalanced towards healthcare services.
This report sets out a framework for developing new strategies to improve population health that join up healthcare systems with other services and sectors. It focuses both on what the strategy should cover and how to make it happen in practice.