Newsletter
A message from the new Chair of the Royal Society for Public Health, Dr Selwyn Hodge
I count it a great honour and privilege to be appointed as Chair of the RSPH []. Its two predecessor organisations had a long and proud history of innovation and support in public health, which I will endeavour to continue during my term of office.
I want to record my gratitude to Professor Alan Maryon-Davis for his guidance during the merger process and for overseeing the first six months of the life of the RSPH []. This has been well supported by our highly committed team of staff, who have responded well to the leadership and motivation of Chief Executive, Professor Richard Parish.
It goes without saying that we all want to see better health prospects for the global population, but much needs to be done if we are to achieve even a modicum of success. Personally I want to ensure that the vision of the RSPH [] is clearly enunciated and converted into a workable programme, which promotes closer co-operation between national and third sector organisations in improving health.
I firmly believe that effective networks are fundamental to achieving our goals. The RSPH [] has built many successful links already, and has the ambition and capacity to take a lead in bringing other people and groups together. In particular the membership of the Society offers a huge pool of talent and potential to help achieve this. One of my first priorities will be to listen to the views and aspirations of our members and find new opportunities for involving them more in the Society’s work.
The health related third sector is a powerful group of organisations with the capability to influence policy and change practices across the world. The RSPH [] already plays a key role in this as the host of the national NGO Forum for health. I value this relationship, and want to ensure our continuing support in reaching out to other voluntary groups and increasing international links.
Since we now live in a world where health and well being are no longer defined by geographical or political boundaries, efforts to improve global co-operation are essential. I am pleased to report that the RSPH [] has established a number of international partnerships that will aid health improvement through better collaborative working.
Many of you will know that I feel passionately about the need for effective multidisciplinary health education, delivered by well trained and knowledgeable practitioners working together closely. Too often children, in particular, receive poorly communicated half truths or even totally wrong information about health matters, which inhibit them from determining effectively their own needs and lifestyles. This is a key aspect that I want to focus the Society’s attention on over the next few years.
Closely linked with this is the progress we have made with our co-partners in this country in promoting effective public health workforce development. However, the lack of trained individuals to help populations across the globe build their capacity to improve their basic health is a huge barrier which the RSPH [] will continue to concern itself with.
Sadly, social inequalities in health are likely to get worse during the current economic climate as people, organisations and nations are forced to put improvements on hold. Those of us intent on achieving better health for all could easily become disheartened by this. However, we must all endeavour to maintain our efforts to bring about developments, however small; otherwise the well being of the majority of the world’s population will continue to decline.