About public health

The public health functions include:

• Sexual health services.
• Drug and alcohol misuse services.
• Stop smoking services.
• Local programmes to promote physical activity, healthy eating and weight management.
• The Healthy Child programme for school age children, including school nurses.
• Local projects to prevent accidental injury.
• Local projects to reduce deaths related to the seasons eg cold-related deaths in winter.
• Infant mortality.

Public health staff also commission services from a range of providers, including other parts of the NHS and the VCS (voluntary and community sector).

The transfer of public health was determined by government under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as part of a national programme for health reorganisation.

The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for Bradford and Airedale identifies the health and wellbeing needs of the local population and aims to support the development of services which reduce inequalities.

You can find the latest version of the Director of Public Health's annual report on the Bradford Observatory - Public Health page in the documents section.

Public Health report to take unique film approach

Bradford Council’s Department of Health and Wellbeing is pioneering a new concept when it showcases its next Public Health Report. Working with the Aerial Picture Company and the Working Academy from the University of Bradford, the Council will create an innovative film version of the latest public health report.

Amazing drone footage of the Bradford District that shows the urban, rural and heritage mix that makes the area unique, will be combined with interviews and testimonials from some of the many beneficiaries of the public health initiatives; family cycling in Lister Park, dementia gardening activities in Keighley and Train Like a Jedi fun in City Park, to name but a few.

The film and supporting leaflets will be submitted to a national competition for public health as well as made available through the Council’s website. The aspiration is that rather than a lengthy document this video will create an easily accessible and entertaining way of understanding the impact and range of public health initiatives that have been undertaken in Bradford.

Sarah Muckle, Director of Public Health, says “It’s great to be working with a company like Aerial Picture Company on this. They are usually working on TV shows like Doctor Who, Eastenders, Coastal Walks and Countryfile, so for them to bring their expertise to capturing Bradford and District from the skies is very exciting. We’re really pleased that as a company that originated from our region they are helping support us with this project”.