Public Health England (PHE) have released a new strategic action plan to 'protect and improve the public’s health and reduce inequalities' over the next 4 years.
PHE's new strategic action plan follows a 2015 'evidence to action' plan, in which alcohol featured as one of its top priorities. However not all of the seven previous actions are mentioned in the new plan, although the commitment to 'publish an independent evidence-based report on alcohol' is listed as a priority for 2016/17. It would be expected this would include a significant focus on the role of price and availability; last year's plan stated PHE would 'continue to set out the evidence base for the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol'.
The strategy though includes a new commitment to 'provide estimates of the number of children likely to be affected by the drug or alcohol use of their parents, and provide advice to national and local government on where action could have the greatest impact on improving life chances'. A current All Party Parliamentary Group on the Children of Alcoholics aims to spur further action to reduce the impact of alcohol misuse on children, chaired by Liam Byrne MP who has recently been championing the issue.
No other alcohol specific actions are identified within the new PHE plan, though alcohol relates to many of the other areas. PHE say they will build on their social marketing campaigns, including the new One You campaign encouraging over 40s to lead healthier lives. They will also 'refresh and relaunch' the Change4Life campaign to ensure 'we continue to reach millions of families and give them the information and tools they need to make healthier choices'.
Sustaining health and treatment services?
Over recent years PHE have released a number of resources supporting local alcohol approaches. To support local alcohol strategy, an alcohol Self-Assessment Stocktake tool and JSNA support pack were made available, as well as new liver disease profiles. PHE also now oversee the former National Treatment Agency's remit for substance misuse services, including data on numbers in alcohol treatment. A recent resource, harmful drinking and dependence, set out the invest to save case alongside resources to support the development of hospital based alcohol services.
However with the recent alcohol chapter within the new crime strategy indicating the end of an over-arching national alcohol strategy, health advocates may hope for more commitment to sustaining local health focused alcohol interventions. Public health budgets - which fund alcohol health and treatment activity - are now facing significant cuts. How well alcohol activity will fare by 2020 will most likely prove to be at best, a mixed picture.
Recent Comments