Our Public Health Team works to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Devon. Many things affect our health, not just how we use healthcare – but the conditions into which we are born, the places we live in, our income, our homes and our jobs.
What we do
We use data, research and local insight to understand the needs of our communities. This helps us plan and deliver a range of public health services which keep people well and prevent ill health. We work in partnership with many organisations to tackle health issues together and create healthier communities.
People across Devon experience different levels of health – with some people living with poorer health than others. We want to reduce these unfair differences and create the opportunities for everyone to improve their health and wellbeing.
We also have a responsibility to protect our residents’ health from threats that could be a risk to public health, for example climate change or infectious diseases. We work with our Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response team and the UK Health Security Agency to plan and prepare for such events.
How we work
- We use data and evidence to understand how health and wellbeing changes over time and across different parts of Devon.
- We plan and fund a range of services that support people to stay well through all stages of life.
- We protect people from serious health risks.
- We listen to and work with communities and people with lived experience.
- We work in partnership to strengthen the building blocks of health such as good housing and transport.
- We support councils, the NHS, and partners to take action to improve health and wellbeing.
- We work with our partners to help improve access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable people.
- We focus on prevention and raise awareness about health and wellbeing, for example campaigns and communications on steps to improve our own health.
Our responsibilities
We are responsible for a range of local public health activities such as:
- providing health visiting and school nursing service to families
- supporting NHS health checks for 40 to 74 year-olds
- commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services
- providing public health support and advice to the NHS
- commissioning good sexual health services
- improving oral health and preventing tooth decay
- developing ways to help reduce childhood obesity, including the national child measurement programme
- increasing levels of physical activity in communities through Active Devon
- addressing health inequalities
We are active members of the Devon Health and Wellbeing Board which is made up of key leaders from health, public health and care systems, who work together to improve health and wellbeing in Devon. The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2035 can be found here and we will continue to support the delivery of its priorities – which include:
- mental health and wellbeing
- start well, live well
- housing
- rural areas and access to services