Public health

Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society. It considers principles of social justice and equity, promoting and protecting better health for everyone, and focuses on tackling inequalities in health including those driven by racism and discrimination.

Public health works to protect and improve the health of communities and populations at a local, regional, national, and global level. Public health is a shared responsibility that requires collective action. The shared aim of the diverse range of public health work is to offer populations the best chance to live long lives in good health.

Public health can:

  • engage in the planning process to inform planning policy development
  • respond to planning applications and planning policy consultations
  • make recommendations to planning authorities and developers on how to positively incorporate health and wellbeing into proposals
  • ensure responses to planning proposals are objective, considered, measured, balanced and informed by scientific evidence.

Public health will:

  • recommend that a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is undertaken for all major plans, policies and development proposals
  • recommend that all plans, policies and development proposals have regard to our Planning, Health and Wellbeing Guidance
  • when necessary, consult independent experts such as environmental scientists at Public Health England to help inform, advise or provide external review of our conclusions and advice.

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