|
Issue of the day: Public health
Party spokesmen debate their plans for improving public health.
Labour: Health secretary John Reid
Whilst the engine of health improvement is the individual's control over their own life, it is not enough to say to all the individuals in our society that you can choose to make your own health, because the different economic and social conditions under which we live either differentially hinder or help our choices. Those with more financial resources generally have more choices, as do those with more educational qualifications.
The priority this government has given to improving health and tackling health inequalities is rooted in the fact that health and life expectancy are linked to social circumstances in adulthood and childhood.
If we want people's health to improve, then we have to unlock their motivation to gain more control over their health. If we want to achieve that for everyone then a prior condition for disadvantaged people is to unlock their motivation to improve their condition perhaps through work, perhaps through education.
All of these policies for reducing health inequalities, either directly through addressing health, or indirectly through addressing the constraints on people's ability to choose, recognise the importance of unlocking motivation.
I believe that the lessons for us in health improvement are clear. We know the ideas that need to be applied. Enjoy the good things of life, but in moderation. Cut out the bad things of life as much as possible.
But the problem is in doing this. It is not just a matter of motivation. The millions of people trying – and failing – to improve their health are a signal of this. They know what needs to happen, they try and try, but it is just too hard.
Given this philosophy the aim of government is two fold. First, we need to provide clear leadership to our whole society about what are healthy choices and how important it is to struggle to gain control of your health. Second, whilst this whole struggle depends upon individual motivation, governments need to provide the support for people to improve their health.
So our philosophy is clear. Without people's motivation very little health improvement will happen, but people have a right not to do this hard work on their own. They have a right to look to government for practical support and we aim to provide it.
The above article was based on a speech delivered by John Reid.
Conservatives: Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley
Our nation needs a new focus on improving public health. A focus which Labour have lost. Over the last few years, public health delivery has become fragmented and health ministers have sent out confused and mixed messages.
In tomorrow's NHS, Conservatives will put the secretary of state in charge of public health, not a junior minister as it is under Labour. Public health will be the secretary of state's personal priority.
Nationally, we will establish an independent Public Health Commission to gather evidence and make recommendations to government and parliament. Locally, public health teams will ensure co-ordinated, consistent efforts, across all sectors to tackle the problems of poor sexual health, alcohol and drug misuse, smoking poor housing and poverty.
Government initiatives alone cannot tackle the public health crisis. It has to be a collective venture, promoted through clear information, strong leadership and joint working.
Rather than resorting to the legislative route, a route that often comes with high expectations but tends to deliver limited results, Conservatives will improve the health of the nation by embracing solutions based on education, awareness and action.
We believe we should educate not regulate. There will be clear leadership and effective public health messages from government, a national Public Health Commission to provide evidence- based research and local teams to deliver public health programmes in each community.
Liberal Democrats: Health spokesman Paul Burstow
The Liberal Democrats believe that people need to have the information and the opportunities to take control of their own health. This means tackling issues like poverty and the environment head on, so that we do not have such unacceptable gaps between the health expectations of the richest and poorest people in this country.
It means giving people clear information about how to live healthier lives and supporting people who want support, for example to quit smoking. So the NHS does have a key role to play, but it needs to have the freedom to focus more on tackling the cause of ill health as well as treating the symptoms.
The Liberal Democrats are a party that believes in individual freedom. But we also believe in individual control. It is easy to get confused between the rights and freedoms of people themselves, and the interests of big business. For example, banning tobacco advertising (a Liberal Democrat initiative) does not trample on the rights of individuals – it protects individuals from undue pressure to start, or continue to smoke. The same argument can be used about the advertising of junk food to children, to encourage 'pester power'. People need the freedom to take control of their own health.
We are setting out a package of measures to tackle the root causes of ill health. We would introduce a traffic light labelling system, so that busy shoppers can see clearly the amount of sugar, salt and fat in their foods. We believe that there should be a compulsory system for labelling bottles of alcohol with the numbers of units. We are calling for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. It is measures like these that will save lives and improve healthy life expectancy in years to come.
The above texts are edited versions of articles which first appeared in The House Magazine.
|
