The evolution of public health in modern society

Join us in this discussion as we speak to Professor Kate Ardern, Honorary Professor of Public Health Salford University and former Director of Public Health Wigan Council. Kate shares her insights into the history of public health and its evolution over the decades. We explore local and national government and the role they play in public health and why local government is so important, looking at how policy can shape the health and well-being of the nation. We also discuss Kate’s work during the Covid pandemic and the crucial role she played. We hope you enjoy this discussion as much as we did!

Summary

This episode features a discussion on public health with Professor Kate Ardern, Honorary Professor of Public Health Salford University and former Director of Public Health Wigan Council. This conversation covers the history and role of public health in the UK, the importance of local government in public health, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health.

Kate Ardern emphasizes the importance of community activism, volunteering, and communication in public health efforts. She also discusses the need for preparedness and investing in resilient health protection systems to better respond to emergencies in the future. The discussion also touches on the role of technology in healthcare and the need for data privacy to ensure the effective use of technology in improving public health outcomes.

This discussion is an important one as it highlights the significance of public health in today’s world, especially in the context of the ongoing pandemic. It also sheds light on the role of technology in healthcare and the need for collaboration between different stakeholders in the healthcare industry to improve public health outcomes.

Learnings

1. Who is the guest in this episode of the podcast?

The guest in this episode of the podcast is Professor Kate Ardern, ex-Director of Public Health Wigan.

2. What are the four key components of Public Health according to Kate Ardern?

The four key components of Public Health according to Kate Ardern are looking and influencing the determinants of Health, Health improvement, Health protection, and epidemiology.

3. What was the role of Kate Ardern during the pandemic in Wigan?

Kate Ardern had three roles during the pandemic in Wigan: Director of Public Health, Chief of Emergency Planning Officer, and Public Health advisor to Mayor Andy Burnham.

4. What is the Young Health Champions programme and how did it involve young people?

The Young Health Champions programme was a citizen-led public health approach that involved young people in creating a community of health champions. It introduced a qualification into schools and involved young people in designing information based on what they would respond to.

5. What are the three key takeaways Kate Ardern has learnt from the pandemic?

Relationships, trust, and teamwork.

The evolution of public health in modern society