Issue - meetings

The attached report considers the health of the people in Brent. It outlines the major causes of mortality and morbidity as well as describing health related behaviours in Brent. It contains a number of examples of how the Council and local people are responding to the health challenges in the borough. The published report will be professionally designed and include the addition of photographic images.

That the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health for Brent 2014 which will be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board for consideration be noted. The Health and Wellbeing Board will review its work programme and priorities in the light of the Report.

The report from the Director of Public Health considered the health of the people in Brent. It outlined the major causes of mortality and morbidity as well as describing health related behaviours in Brent. It contained a number of examples of how the council and local people were responding to the health challenges in the borough. Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) advised that the report would be submitted to the Health and Well-being Board for reflection on the findings. He drew attention to key concerns in the report including sexually transmitted infections, life expectancy variation within the borough and the need to address conditions such as obesity, diabetes and the causes of premature deaths. Councillor Hirani was pleased to report a significant reduction in rates of teenage pregnancy in Brent.

Members in discussion raised questions on the finding that oral health in Brent was relatively very poor and the risk of child deaths increasing with co-sleeping and bed sharing. On sickle cell in the borough, the Director of Public Health advised that the council was reliant on the NHS and there would be greater focus on this in the near future. Members heard that the poor oral health was in the main attributed to low levels of registrations with dentists, misunderstanding on the use of baby bottles and poverty with dental care featuring low on the list of priorities. The cabinet also heard that life expectancy was improving for deprived communities however people were living longer with conditions and were pleased to note that a dedicated dementia workshop was due to take at the Health and Well-being Board.

RESOLVED:

that the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health for Brent 2014 which would be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board for consideration be noted. The Health and Wellbeing Board will review its work programme and priorities in the light of the report.