RSPH and ITN Productions have launched The Public’s Health Across The Life Course, a news and current affairs-style programme which explores how different issues and events impact on health at different stages of our lives, from early years to later life, and the tailored interventions taking place to address them across the UK today.
From the support offered to mothers and newborns, through educating young people in healthy living, and the importance of mental health support in maintaining a healthy, productive workforce, to a joined-up approach to maintaining wellbeing in older adults, the programme brings to life the journey from cradle to grave to find out about the projects and people who are making a difference. It looks at how health professionals, local and national government, the voluntary and community sector and communities are working to achieve a healthier nation.
Anchored by Natasha Kaplinsky, the film's highlights include a special report on the pioneering use of drug safety testing to keep revellers safe at UK music festivals. The Public’s Health Across The Life Course also explores issues as varied as difficulties in finding work for people with learning difficulties, wellbeing and mental health within the workplace, early years health visiting, childhood obesity, vaping as a smoking cessation aid, vaccinations, and the process of returning older adults to their homes after time in hospital.
Drawing upon ITN’s 60 year heritage and expertise in storytelling, the news-style piece combines big picture interviews with on the ground stories from organisations such as Bourne Leisure, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Brunel University, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, the Independent British Vape Trade Association, Institute of Health Visiting, Manchester Metropolitan University, Medway Council, Mercer, MSD, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, Rolls-Royce, and West Midlands Fire Service.
This programme is the third such collaboration with ITN Productions, sitting alongside 2015's Improve and Protect and 2016's Championing the Public’s Health.
Shirley Cramer, Chief Executive, RSPH said: “Looking at public health through a life course lens has given us a fantastic opportunity to showcase how a range of organisations across the UK are responding to the varied challenges that face our health at different stages of life. ITN Productions have helped create a film that expertly weaves this narrative using stories from an impressive and diverse range of partners from both the core and wider public health workforce who are pushing the boundaries of public health best practice.”
Simon Shelley, Head of Industry News, ITN Productions, said: "ITN Productions has been delighted to partner with the Royal Society for Public Health to create The Public’s Health Across The Life Course. We hope this programme will help to inform and educate about the importance of protecting and improving the nation’s health. We are extremely pleased with how this programme brings to life the challenges of public health throughout various stages in the life cycle.”
