Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2025
Everybody knows that prevention is better than cure.
In my annual report last year I made the point that, in the current economic climate, the challenge for us all is to ensure that short term imperatives don’t detract from our goal of better health and wellbeing. This remains the case twelve months on, and there continues to be extraordinary power in getting prevention right. If we do this, we can improve the health of the population of Powys by reducing premature mortality, social disparities, and the absolute time some people spend in ill health. In turn, this will reduce the burden on the NHS and social care.
In this year’s report I outline how investing in prevention sets the foundation for good health throughout life. The evidence is clear. Many of the most common health conditions such as heart disease, type II diabetes and certain cancers, are largely preventable. This
Framework highlights those interventions that reduce the cumulative impact of health risks throughout life and across generations to the greatest effect. In taking this approach, I aim to show that prevention is not a distraction from the immediate acute healthcare pressures, but rather a key part of a sustainable solution.
This Preventing the Preventable Framework report is both the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health for Powys Teaching Health Board for 2025, and a framework for population health. This Framework sets out the Powys approach to prevention at a population level. As such, it is designed to deliver on a commitment in Powys Teaching Health Board’s Integrated Plan 2024-29 to develop a whole system prevention plan across the lifecourse. The Framework will also be reflected in the health board’s strategic plans, Better Together programme and Strategic Commissioning Framework.
I look forward to working with people across Powys in implementing this Framework to support people to live healthier, longer lives.
Mererid Bowley, Executive Director of Public Health, Powys Teaching Health Board