A covenant for health: policies and partnerships to improve our national health in 5 to 10 years

'This work focuses on how central government, with its unique role and powers, can shift systems and behaviours, but this must be a pan-society mission, with central government supporting the key partners to make our society healthier.

'Our work is also a plea to reject fatalism and to create a better future for our children and a healthier society. It is possible to do so, and it is essential.'

'The national health service has become a national treatment service, so if we’re to save our NHS and get our economy back on track we need to enable people to lead healthier lives. This is a timely report that will contribute to the debate on how we can do just that.'
Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrats Deputy Leader and Health & Social Care Spokesperson

'This is a welcome report, seeking over a five- to ten-year period to sustainably improve the poor health of the UK population. For the first time since the industrial revolution, poor health is now detracting from both growth and wellbeing. The report makes it clear that we know what would bring about change. It describes the barriers and has identified policies and practices that would, if adopted, lead to healthier and longer lives.'
Dame Carol Black DBE, Chair, Centre for Ageing Better

'Essential reading for all those drafting credible plans for social justice, economic growth and NHS sustainability, this succinct report identifies evidence-based policies and partnerships that could achieve important and affordable change within 5 to10 years to improve our nation’s health.'
Professor Dame Theresa Marteau DBE, University of Cambridge

'This is an important report which I commend. Sadly a considerable proportion of our population is now losing a significant number of years of healthy living as a result of obesity, diabetes and other avoidable disorders — and things are getting worse. This well written report sets out practical and achievable means by which preventive measures can be deployed to improve the health of the nation. This preventative approach is surely preferable to allowing the situation deteriorate further and then vainly trying to deal with the inevitable consequences.'
Professor Roger Kirby MA MD FRCS, President Royal Society of Medicine

'We are seeing first-hand the additional pressures on the health service due to avoidable illness caused by poor housing, unemployment, food quality, air pollution and smoking. The RCP agrees with Lord Filkin that the health of the nation must be prioritised by all political parties. We strongly welcome the recommendation that action be led by the Prime minister and Chancellor, with a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequality.'
Dr Sarah Clarke, President, Royal College of Physicians