Wales’ top doctor says preventing ill-health is an 'urgent priority'
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has published her annual report showing a decline in life expectancy and a rise of people living with preventable illnesses
Wales must urgently shift towards a prevention-first approach to health to address stagnating life expectancy and mounting pressures on its health services- according to the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Isabel Oliver.
In the CMO's annual report, it's revealed there's been a decline in life expectancy and a rise of people living with preventable illnesses in Wales.
The report, "Reflecting on our Health," notes a decline in life expectancy especially in deprived areas with people now living for more years of their life with ill health.
It highlights that around 75% of deaths in people under the age of 75 in Wales are preventable but that successful prevention initiatives, such as tobacco control, have demonstrated the potential for significant improvements in population health over time.
“Prevention is better than cure”
Prof Oliver says “prevention is better than cure but refocussing the health service towards a preventive approach at a time of constrained resources and increased pressure is never an easy task.
"However, we make the case that without such a shift the health of the population will continue to stagnate or worsen.
"This is a major challenge to our health service leaders. It also demands changes in society, and at an individual level, so that health is a responsibility – as well as a right – for everyone in Wales."
NHS Wales currently spends approximately 74% of its budget responding to urgent health issues, but only 6% is invested in preventing problems from occurring in the first place.
Evidence shows public health programmes offer an average return on investment of 14 to 1.
People living with four or more long-term conditions could almost double by 2035:
The report reveals that without 'accelerated action' on prevention, people living with four or more long-term conditions could almost double by 2035
Preventable physical and mental ill-health is believed to be contributing to rising economic inactivity and increasing costs.
Prof Oliver continues: "We are experiencing widening gaps between the rich and poor and with mental wellbeing, as indicated by life satisfaction and anxiety, also worsening.
"The health of the population in Wales also compares less favourably to many similar countries beyond the UK.
"Our population deserves better health"
"Our population deserves better health outcomes and I believe that a Wales where every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy is a necessity and it is achievable".
In the report, smoking had seen a rise in Wales.
If smoking rates were from 10% to 8%, it is estimated that it could prevent nearly 600 smoking-related deaths and 2,700 smoking-related hospital admissions per year, and lung cancer incidence could be reduced by 6%.
It also noted a rise in chronic obesity, in children and adults- something which the CMO believes needs to be tackled.
The report calls for action across all levels of government and society to address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health; continue to support parents and early years education programmes for low-income families; encourage vaccination and screening take up; and help adults make healthier choices.