We will make it our mission to facilitate a transformation in the way we keep people healthy, with a greater focus on prevention and the long term. As a result, public bodies are working together to tackle the root causes of ill health and addressing health inequalities.

Health is central to our well-being and the NHS is one of the country’s most valued institutions. Over half of the Welsh Government’s budget is spent on health, yet levels of preventable illness and health inequalities remain high. Those living in deprived areas still have a lower life expectancy on average, and we often hear of the frustrations that people experience due to waiting lists and a need for joined-up services. 

Despite the hard work and dedication of the workforce across our health and social care sector, the many innovative approaches to lifelong well-being and expansion of approaches such as social prescribing, limited progress is being made towards a healthier Wales. 

Our unique role is to support the health sector in applying long-term and preventative approaches; to help equip all public bodies to understand their role in preventing ill health; and to do more to share examples and advocate for people who are doing good things. We need to play a role in changing the narrative from one in which we collectively question whether the NHS can cope or is fit for the future, to one where we articulate and solve the ways in which the wider system is making people unhealthy. 

We will support public bodies and Public Services Boards, so they collaborate to use every lever they have, to embrace ‘health in all policies.’ We will use our powers and duties to convene, advise, monitor, and review. 

Health and Well-being Theory of Change  
We will make it our mission to facilitate a transformation in the way we keep people healthy, with a greater focus on prevention and the long term. As a result, public bodies are working together to tackle the root causes of ill health and addressing health inequalities.

Need  
Progress towards a Healthier Wales is too slow.  

Preventable illnesses are on the rise and inequalities in health outcomes are  high in many communities.  

The future burden on health and social care is unsustainable without   moving to a more preventative system.  

Activity 
1. Equip all public bodies to understand their role in preventing ill health and to apply long-term and preventative approaches.   

2. Convene public bodies, community groups and others to facilitate learning exchanges on the health agenda.  

3. Share good practice examples and advocate for those people doing good things.  

4. Ensure organisations outside the NHS use their levers to improve health and well-being, in areas like housing, education, and land use planning. 

5. Work with others to better understand the implications of future trends and the potential of future solutions.  

Outcomes 
The social model of health is understood and is the focus of well-being objectives.  

There is a shift in budgets and planning towards prevention in Welsh Government and public bodies. 

More collaboration and integration are happening between the NHS, social care, and other relevant organisations, for example sharing data, budgets, plans and campaigns. 

A more diverse range of people are involved in co-producing services.

Impact  
Wales is reducing the incidence of preventable diseases, comparing well to other UK nations.   

Health inequalities have decreased, and healthy life expectancy is increasing.   

People’s experience of our health services will be better with joined up health and care plans.  

Across Cymru we have created environments for good that promote well-being – not cause illness.  
Read Cymru Can: our strategy for 2023 – 2030.

Our Missions:

Further resources and information: