The need for action to improve the nation’s health

The need for action to improve the nation’s health Many people recognise that both the NHS and the health of the nation are in deep crisis. Whether we look at life expectancy, levels of long-term ill-health, inequalities, mental health or the drivers of poor health such as obesity, England’s recent record is poor and often compares badly to its neighbours. 

Therefore, it is timely that a group has come together to set out a possible path out of this mess, publishing A covenant for health that sets out priority areas for action, which, taken together, can make England a healthier place to live and work. If this all seems to make perfect sense, what stops us, as a country, from doing it? I think there are four common myths that have stood in the way. The King's Fund

See also: 

• A Covenant for Health: Policies and partnerships to improve our national health in 5 to 10 years (report) A Covenant for Health
• Sick note Britain: Country’s ‘sickness explosion’ costing economy £15bn every year, experts warn The Independent
• UK gripped by 'sickness explosion costing economy £15 billion a year' Sky News