Welcome to the Public Health Hub at Sheffield Hallam University

Public health has been described as;

'the science and art of promoting and protecting health and well-being, preventing ill-health and prolonging life through the organised efforts of society.' (Acheson 1998)

It is a complex area of activity which is not simply about 'providing healthy choices' and 'encouraging healthier lifestyles' but recognises how living and working environments, economic and social status and access to services impact on health.

Public health is 'everybody's business' and the Public Health Hub is committed to reducing health inequality and improving health with the support of internal and external partners.

The Public Health Hub was established in 2007 to harness the diverse range of public health related activity undertaken within Sheffield Hallam University, acting as a conduit, to bring together the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to support the achievement of this.

Public health is facing major challenges following the publication of the Coalition Governments White Paper, Liberating the NHS, That and the subsequent Public Health White Paper has resulted in the relocation of public health services to local authority, the emergence of Public Health England and the development of the new Health and Wellbeing boards and commissioning processes. All this is taking place against the backdrop of the current global financial context and welfare reform. The Public Health hub is ready for these challenges and in collaboration with internal partners will make a difference in supporting external colleagues and potential business partners to reduce health inequalities and improve health.

The Hub firmly believes in nurturing public health knowledge transfer between other key strategic internal players including the Sustainability Hub, the Sheffield Business School, the Centre for Leadership in Health & Social Care, the Enterprise Centre and the Research centres.