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Assessment of health needs, using epidemiology (looking at patterns of diseases, health problems and lifestyles in the population) and consultation (finding out how, when and where people want services to be provided).
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Control of communicable diseases (diseases which can cause illness, disability or death if their spread from person to person is not prevented).
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Developing strategies, recognising that the improvement of the population's health is a long term aim and requires a strategic approach, responding to the needs of the population and addressing issues such as inequalities in health, equity of access to services and the quality of services in terms of appropriateness, acceptability and technical excellence.
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Helping to evaluate services, ensuring that they are effective in producing ‘health gain' and reach all those who could benefit from them.
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Helping to get knowledge into practice, ensuring that the results of research are incorporated into health service provision.
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Health promotion, encouraging and supporting individuals and communities to adopt healthier lifestyles, through a combination of awareness raising, practical support and social policy.
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Working across local strategic partnerships within the local authority area, recognising that little health gain can be achieved without addressing socio-economic factors such as employment, education, housing, transport, etc.
