NEW: National Report examines how Brexit may affect health and well-being of people across Wales
21-01-19
Published today by Public Health Wales, the Health Impact Assessment of Brexit examines the potential effects of Brexit on the short, medium and long-term health of people living in Wales.
It highlights how the physical and mental health of the poorest, those with lower educational qualifications, those employed in agricultural and manufacturing sectors exposed to Brexit and those requiring health and social care must be key considerations as preparations for Brexit develop and also continue to be addressed following any final agreements.
The report, The Public Health Implications of Brexit in Wales: A Health Impact Assessment Approach, examines in detail how all aspects of the Brexit process may impact health. It considers the direct risks to health through potential impacts on access to medicines and the staffing of health and social care staff from European countries but also how changes in employment opportunities, the stress of uncertainty for farming and other communities, potential changes in employment rights and regulations of food standards and the marketing of goods such as tobacco and alcohol can impact the health of people across Wales.
The report does not address the consequences of any specific Brexit outcome but considers both the potential harms and benefits that could be realized from any Brexit process. Moving away from exisiting European systems that underpin agriculture and investment in deprived regions of Wales provide opportunities to develop better, more sustainable food production and ensure children and adults living in poverty get adequate support to protect their health.
