About public health

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Isle of Wight Public Health Strategy 2025 to 2030

Our Public Health Strategy gives clear direction on how we will improve health and tackle health inequalities, shaping our work and partnerships. We will use data and intelligence and listen to the voices of our Island communities to understand the impact poor health has on their lives, and how we can work together to improve everyone’s health.

The strategy sets out our vision for helping people on the Isle of Wight live healthier and longer lives. We want to make sure everyone, no matter where they live or how much money they have, has a fair chance to be healthy. The council and its partners will work together to stop health problems before they start. We will make sure people can get help early and easily. By doing this, the Island will be a better place to live, with less pollution, good jobs, and more opportunities for people to be active and eat healthy food, reducing the need for health interventions by preventing ill health. 

The key points of the strategy are

  • help everyone live longer, healthier lives, especially those who are struggling
  • focus on stopping health problems early and making support easy to get
  • work together to improve health, the environment, and the local economy

Download and read the Public Health Strategy 2025 to 2030 (PDF, 7MB)

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What is public health?

Public health is defined as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988)

Our Public Health Team aim to improve the overall health of the people on the Island. The team works collaboratively with a range of local services to

  • assess and address the health needs and inequalities on the Island
  • promote healthy living
  • develop strategies for health improvement

Public health focuses on the entire spectrum of health and wellbeing. Activity is targeted either at population level, through the likes of health campaigns, as well as the provision of personal services to an individual. 

To learn more, please watch the video called 'What is Public Health'.

Data analysis

The production of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) aims to bring together key data and information in a way which is accessible to

  • local commissioners
  • local communities
  • other stakeholders

It identifies the health and wellbeing needs of the local population to help improve the targeting of services. This aims to reduce health inequalities that exist between different localities, groups and communities of the Isle of Wight.

Health and Wellbeing Board

The Health and Wellbeing Board is a statutory body. It was created to oversee and drive forward health and wellbeing priorities of the Island. The board includes a number of partners including councillors and council officers.

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