Prevention

The Major Conditions Strategy will focus on preventing ill health by reducing the impact of risk factors on health outcomes. The strategy will empower individuals to lead healthy lives, focusing on smoking,
diet, physical activity, and alcohol and drug use, which account for most of the burden of ill health. There are clear disparities among population groups across these healthy behaviours. The strategy refers to existing government commitments in order to advance this agenda, including: achieving a smokefree society by 2030, £780 million investment in drug and alcohol treatment services, creation of Family Hubs / Start for Life programmes and development of a national suicide prevention
strategy.

The case for change acknowledges the importance of tackling the wider determinants of health to improve primary prevention. The strategy will also highlight the vital role of integrated care systems
(ICSs) in improving population health. It will also recognise the need for broader government action on reformulation of unhealthy foods, increasing rates of physical activity and reducing air pollution.

The case for change clarifies the key role the NHS and NHS trusts in delivering on secondary prevention, through identifying and offering targeted intervention to those most at risk of developing more serious illness. The final strategy will aim to enhance community based services and improve access to diagnoses and treatment.