Five things to look out for in public health in 2026

Public health is going to play a crucial role over the coming year, as we face continuing challenges in the UK and across the globe. The work the public health community does has never been more important.

Key moments for public health in 2026 so far

2026 has already gotten off to a positive start, with several key policy wins announced over the last few weeks. In case you missed them, here are the headlines:

• The NHS’s vaccination programme is being expanded to include chickenpox for the first time to protect hundreds of thousands of children from getting ill.
• A new £2 million pilot will allow health visiting teams to offer vaccinations to children, reaching underserved families and ensuring more children can access life-saving protection.
• New legislation has come into effect to restrict junk food advertising, protecting children from excessive exposure to unhealthy food adverts and creating the conditions for people to make healthier choices.
• Naloxone – a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses – is to be made accessible at homeless shelters and to the public in emergencies as part of a government consultation to help combat rising drug deaths from opioids.

What to look out for in public health this year

NHS England abolishment

Last year it was announced that NHS England would be abolished, with public health functions being returned to the Department of Health and Social Care. The process of abolishing the body will continue this year.

While it is too early to say what the effects of this might be, it will have an impact on those working in the NHS, particularly for those who may lose their jobs and livelihoods. As this change happens, it will be crucial that the functions and skills needed to support the shift from hospital to community and treatment to prevention are maintained.

Stronger protections for workers

This year we will begin to see changes in employment law as a result of the Employment Rights Act, which came into effect in December 2025. The Act will give employees stronger protections at work, including sick pay from day one and enhanced safeguards from harassment.

Local government reorganisation

Local government reorganisation is continuing this year, which is likely to have significant impacts on the delivery of local public health services. The duties of the new Strategic Authorities are still being settled, but it is important they take public health seriously.

Protecting the next generation from tobacco harm

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently making its way through parliament. Once in effect, it will phase out the sale of tobacco for anyone born after January 1, 2009, and further regulate the sale of vapes. This will be transformative for both the health of the next generation and reducing preventable deaths.

Speaking on a recent episode of our podcast, Spread the Health, Greg Fell, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health said the Bill “will genuinely be part of the end game for tobacco harm”.

Reducing child poverty

From April 2026, the two-child limit will be lifted, meaning that families will be able to receive Universal Credit regardless of family size. Putting more money in the pockets of low-income households will make a profound difference to the health and wellbeing of millions of children and will be instrumental in reversing growing inequalities.

As Tracy Daszkiewicz, President of the Faculty of Public Health said on our podcast recently: “If we’re going to change health in a generation, then we need to start with our children.”

Find out more

If you want to hear more about what we can expect from the upcoming year in public health, why not check out the latest episode of our podcast, Spread the Health.

I spoke to two leading figures in public health – Tracy Daszkiewicz, Faculty of Public Health President, and Greg Fell, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health. We discussed the wins of the last 12 months and what to expect in the year to come.

You can listen to the episode here, or by searching for ‘RSPH Spread the Health’ wherever you get your podcasts.