NHS Lothian’s Director of Public Health annual report 2023

NHS Lothian’s Director of Public Health has published a new annual report which provides an in-depth analysis into the health of the population of Lothian.

The Director of Public Health Report this year highlights how the early years of a child’s life lay the foundations for their physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development.

Work to improve the health of children and young people should focus on prevention, early identification of need and early intervention, ensuring that we focus our support on people identified as having the greatest need.

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said the health board was committed to helping to create a society where people have access to the right building blocks for a healthy life – a stable job, good pay, quality housing and good education.

She added: “In Lothian there are huge differences in life expectancy, and other health outcomes, that can be seen from very early in babies’ lives. All children and young people should be able to grow up in healthy and safe environments.

“Children and young people need environments where they are protected from harms such as air pollution, traffic danger, the impacts of poor-quality housing, as well as environments that allow them to realise their right to play, connect with nature, learn and be physically active.

“This report reaffirms our commitment to tackling poverty and improving the health and wellbeing of children and families in Lothian.”

The Lothian Strategic Development Framework sets out a five-year strategy for the Lothian Health and Care system working alongside local partners. Improving maternal, children and young people’s health and wellbeing is a key part of the framework.

Partnership Groups are established in each of the four Lothian local authority areas and involve a range of community planning partners working collaboratively to develop strategic plans and deliver on identified priorities which aim to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing.

This report provides an update on some of the evidence about what influences the wellbeing of children and young people, and we hope it will be useful in shaping local partnership plans in the future.