What is public health?

Public health is “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organised efforts of society”. (Sir Donald Acheson)

As Dorset Council’s Public Health team, we play a key role in creating the conditions for people to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Our work centres on improving health and wellbeing across whole populations, not just treating individual illnesses. We aim to reduce health inequalities by tackling the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes between different groups in society.

Our priorities 

1. Improve healthy lifestyles - We support people to change their behaviour to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through services that encourage healthier choices.
2. Protect against threats to health - We work to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and environmental risks and ensure effective responses to public health emergencies.
3. Support local healthcare services - We use our expertise to shape and improve health and care services across the Integrated Care System (ICS), helping people access the care they need.
4. Create healthier places - Where we live, work and play affects our health. We influence policies on active travel, climate change, and planning to make sure our environments support wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

Statutory public health services

By law, public health is responsible for providing and commissioning the following mandatory services:

• National Child Measurement Programme
• Sexual health services
• NHS Health Checks
• Children’s public health nursing
• Providing public health advice to the NHS

In addition to these statutory duties, we also commission services that help people make positive changes to their health and wellbeing, such as specialist drug and alcohol services and stop smoking support.

Using data to improve health

Public health work is guided by intelligence and insight. We analyse Dorset’s health needs to inform decisions, shape services, and reduce inequalities. This includes leading the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), which brings together data and evidence to support planning and commissioning across the health and care system.

Working together to improve and protect health

We collaborate with teams across Dorset Council, the NHS, and voluntary and community organisations to improve and protect health in our communities. As part of this, we support and contribute to the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board and help develop the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, using shared priorities and evidence from the JSNA to shape and implement local action.

Some of the key public health services cover the county of Dorset and are jointly commissioned and managed by the Public Health and Communities Directorate at BCP Council and the Public Health and Prevention Directorate at Dorset Council.

Public health training

We’re also a recognised training location for the Public Health Specialty Training Programme, helping to develop the next generation of public health consultants. For more information, visit the Faculty of Public Health website.

Find out more about what we do

Visit our policies and strategies page to explore our reports, plans and strategies to find out more about our public health work.