We know good health is central to people’s happiness and wellbeing.
Public Health is the term given to the work we do to improve people’s health; improve health services; reduce inequalities in health; prevent illness and disease; and improve life expectancy of our residents.
Our work includes promoting healthy lifestyles; identifying and targeting the greatest health needs of our communities; commissioning evidence-based services and interventions; and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.
Each year the Director of Public Health publishes a report covering a specific area of public health.
The documents we publish on this page are either legally required to be made available for inspection, for information and analysis purposes or may have been supplied by the public and so in some cases may not be fully accessible. If, for any reason, you cannot access the documents and need an alternative format, please email ina@durham.gov.uk.
2024 Unfair and avoidable; Looking ahead to health in 2040
Director Of Public Health Annual Report 2024 – Unfair and avoidable (PDF; 3Mb)
“This year’s report ‘Unfair and avoidable; Looking ahead to health in 2040‘ has a focus on the future health of County Durham residents. Using the work of the Health Foundation, the report highlights the potential increases in major illness and the unfair and avoidable inequalities that will worsen by 2040 should nothing change. However, it also highlights that the burden of these inequalities are worse in our areas of deprivation.
2023 10 years in Local Authority – Looking back to plan ahead
In this year’s annual report, the focus is 10 years of public health in the local authority. The
public health move came at a time of change and reorganisation for local government in
County Durham. Durham County Council is a progressive local authority and had recently
moved from a two-tier council structure covering the seven districts and boroughs of
the county to one unitary authority. The ongoing organisational changes meant an early
opportunity for public health to be embedded into unitary authority structures
2022 Building Healthier, Fairer and Protected Lives
2022 Director of Public Health Report
This report provides insight to the health and wellbeing of our residents and reflects the work we are doing to support people in living longer, healthier lives. This includes a focus on tobacco and the need to focus our efforts on making smoking history in County Durham.
We are living longer than ever before however this is not the same for everyone. The social and environmental conditions in which we are born, grow up and live with do not give us all an equal chance. How much money we have, the quality of the house we live in, the natural environment surrounding us, our access to transport, education and work all impact on our chances of living a long and healthy life. These are the ‘building blocks’ of good health.
2021 Putting life into living
2021 Director of Public Health Report
This report considers how we have responded to outbreaks of COVID-19 in care homes, schools, workplaces and a range of community settings and covers our work with partners to respond to government guidance, promote vaccine uptake and support other preventative measures to protect our population.
In addition, it gives an update on how we continued working on the seven priorities that were set out in 2018, with an in-depth focus on the last three priorities, which are promoting positive behaviours, high quality drug and alcohol services and better quality of life through integrated health and care services.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please contact us if you require an accessible format.
2020 Healthier Lives, Healthier Communities
2020 Director of Public Health Report (PDF; 8Mb)
The COVID-19 pandemic and the public health measures that followed have highlighted the important role of Public Health in protecting the public from infectious diseases and supporting and improving their health and wellbeing. This report outlines some ways that we have responded to reduce and control transmission of the virus, support our communities, and maintain our essential services.
It gives an update on how we continued working on the seven priorities that were set out in 2018, with an in-depth focus on giving every child the best start in life and promoting good jobs and places to live, learn and play. It also introduces a new evidence-based Approach to Wellbeing that has been developed and will
be used to help empower our communities and build their resilience.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please contact us if you require an accessible format.
2019 Time to talk
2019 Director of Public Health Report (PDF; 3Mb)
Time to talk about mental health and wellbeing take an in-depth look at mental health at scale and a health workforce. Support people to be able to talk more openly about mental health.
It sets out our refreshed priorities, how we will work to reduce any differences in health across our county, and how the whole council can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people in County Durham.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please contact us if you require an accessible format.
2018 A new vision for the Taylors
Director of Health Annual Report – A new vision of the Taylors 2018
A new vision for ‘The Taylors’ improving health in County Durham – introduces a fictional family, ‘the Taylors’ to highlight the issues some of our families face as well as what we can achieve collectively to improve health and wellbeing.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please contact us if you require an accessible format.