Health Secretary Encourages Social Marketing

According to Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley: “Effective social marketing is the essential tool to better understand your local population and empower your community to manage their own health and meet the government's vision”.

In his first speech on Public Health, Mr Lansley set out his vision for a new Public Health Service that will release all of society to work together to get healthy and live longer.

“My vision is for a new Public Health Service which rebalances our approach to health, and draws together a national strategy and leadership, alongside local leadership and delivery and, above-all, a new sense of community and social responsibility.”

The plans to create a healthy nation are centered on a whole new approach which focuses on behaviour change. The framework includes:

Clear outcomes and measures to judge progress alongside NHS and social care outcomes
An enhanced role for Public Health Directors so they have the resources and authority to improve the health of their communities
A new 'Health Premium' to target public health resources towards the areas with the poorest health

www.hsj-socialmarketing.com

Published by Breathe on Thursday, Jul 15 2010.