Mental Health Minister calls for more smoking and obesity prevention
More focus on prevention and public health is needed to improve people’s long-term health in Wales- according to the Welsh Government
More focus on prevention and public health is needed to improve people’s long-term health in Wales- according to the Welsh Government
Mental Health Minister Sarah Murphy will call on healthcare professionals to become “champions of prevention” to encourage people to make healthier choices.
The minister's comments follow criticism over rising obesity levels and the levels of smoking rates in Wales.
Speaking at the Welsh Public Health Conference, in Cardiff, she will highlight the impact of preventable illnesses on people’s lives; on the NHS and the economy.
Obesity-related illness costs the NHS £365m ever year:
Obesity-related illness costs the NHS £365m ever year in Wales and a quarter of adults live with obesity.
Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death, with around 3,845 deaths and 17,000 hospital admissions every year.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy said: “Whilst there is a place for weight loss jabs for some people as part of their weight management, they are not the solution for everyone.
“We must intervene earlier"
“We must intervene earlier to address the underlying causes. That is why our focus is on a whole system approach to address obesity's complex roots.”
A new national lung cancer screening programme is bringing brought in 2027 to cope with smoking related illness.
Minister Sarah Murphy added: “Transforming health outcomes for the people of Wales cannot be achieved by government alone. We need people to become champions of prevention in everything they do.
“Prevention has the power to radically improve both public health and the economy.
“Every pound invested in early intervention can yield returns of up to £13 in reduced later costs.
“Together, we are building a Wales where everyone can thrive, where prevention is woven into every policy decision we make. The future of Welsh health depends on the actions we take today.”
The Welsh Government says they're bringing in new laws to restrict volume price promotions of less healthy foods in their effort to tackle obesity.