The government has announced radical public health measures to prevent illness and ease pressure on the NHS, including plans to ban junk food ads before the 9pm watershed and to stop children from buying high-caffeine energy drinks. These measures, aimed at tackling childhood obesity, will come into force in a year. The government also plans to introduce a strengthened tobacco and vapes bill, expand water fluoridation, and give councils powers to restrict fast food outlets near schools.
Keir Starmer, convinced this is the way to fix the NHS, is willing to face opposition and take bold actions on prevention, as detailed in a report by Lord Darzi. Starmer, along with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, want the NHS to play a more proactive role in prevention, including through workplace health check programs.
Public health officials have been consulting on policy ideas to combat obesity, smoking, alcohol-related health issues, and more. With pressure from figures like chef Jamie Oliver and health experts, the government is urged to go further by regulating the food industry, banning junk food ads in video games, and implementing a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. Research by the Food Foundation shows the significant impact of bad diet on disability and mortality, with potential to save lives through improved nutrition.
These public health measures are part of a broader strategy to shift towards prevention rather than treatment of illness, with the ultimate goal of improving overall health outcomes for the population and reducing the burden on the NHS.
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