john gallacher - vision for wales
TRANSCRIPT
A Vision
For Wales
Wales as a public health laboratory
Science as the testing of
well-formed hypotheses
Public health as the engagement of
the public in their own health
Why Wales?
• Distribution of inequality
• Defined population
• Devolved government
• Developed infrastructure
– NHS
– Informatics
– Research base
What are the benefits?
• Health
– Improved public health
– Reduced health inequalities
• Wealth
– Greater productivity
– Reduced health care costs
– Greater inward investment
Smoking and mortality
Smoking and mortality
So, what’s the plan !
1. Do good science
2. Use evidence to inform policy
3. Use policy to engage the public
Good science
• Need for large-scale data resources to deliver definitive answers
• Need to study basic mechanisms to develop new interventions
• Need to reduce costs to make science more efficient
The need for large studies: CHD versus SBP in the Prospective Studies
Collaboration (PSC)
Usual SBP (mmHg)
120 140 160 180
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256 Age at risk:
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
500,000 people
Usual SBP (mmHg)
120 140 160 180
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256 Age at risk:
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
50,000 people
Usual SBP (mmHg)
120 140 160 180
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
Age at risk: 80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
5000 people
Strategic Overview
Does it work?
Areas covered
Recruitment
Cognitive testing
Psychological status
Remote bio-sampling
What would success look like?
“Better, cheaper and quicker science” “Better targeted and more effective public health”
• Fully integrated use of health related information • Widespread participation in the cohort • Generous biosample donation • Profusion of high quality specialist studies • Improved public engagement with health • Increased inward investment