Wales’ top doctor warns prevention must be a priority
Wales must urgently shift towards a prevention-first approach to health to address stagnating life expectancy and increasing pressure on services, according to the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report published today.
The report, Reflecting on our Health, notes a decline in life expectancy, particularly in deprived areas, with people now living more years of their life in poor health.
It highlights that around 75 per cent of deaths in people under 75 in Wales are preventable, and says tobacco control shows what sustained prevention can achieve over time.
If smoking rates had not changed in the past ten years, there would be more than 170,000 additional smokers aged 18 or over.
If rates fall from the current 10 per cent to 8 per cent, nearly 600 smoking-related deaths and around 2,700 hospital admissions could be prevented each year.
The report calls for action across all levels of government and society to address the social, economic and environmental factors that shape health, support early years programmes for low-income families, encourage vaccination and screening uptake, and help adults make healthier choices.
Key findings include a decline in the number of years people in Wales can expect to live in good health, particularly among women.
Evidence shows public health programmes offer an average return of 14 to 1, and without faster action the number of people living with four or more long-term conditions could almost double by 2035.
Preventable physical and mental ill-health is also contributing to economic inactivity.
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: “I decided to take the role of CMO in Wales because I want to work with the people of Wales to make this focus on prevention a reality.”
“I was attracted to our progressive strategies and policies that, if effectively implemented, will transform the health of the people of Wales.”
“But 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 recognised as a responsibility – as well as a right – for everyone in Wales.”
“The evidence is clear – prevention is incredible value for money. Ahead of next week’s Senedd vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, there is no room for complacency – we need to see smoker rates continue to decrease.”
“But we also need to replicate the progress in tobacco control across other areas – such as healthy eating and exercise.”
To strengthen prevention, the CMO has established a Preventing Ill-Health Advisory Group to provide national leadership and ensure prevention is central to ministerial advice.
The Welsh Government is also introducing legislation that will require specified public bodies to consider the impact of decisions in areas such as housing, education and transport on long-term population health.
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