In 2020, Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health in Oxfordshire used his first annual report to recognise and redefine how we address the unfair and avoidable differences in people's health and wellbeing across the county.
Now in 2026, we celebrate the collective progress that has been made since that first report – and how important it has been to understand our communities, how where we live and work, and the food, transport and resources we are able to access impact on our health and wellbeing.
Five years on
Strong partnerships, community involvement and programmes that are improving health and wellbeing across the county are now established, particularly true in those areas where joint action was needed. Together with the Marmot Place Principles and the NHS Long Term Plan, local understanding through community insight profiles continues to push to improve outcomes for local people.
“The work has been significant. But maintaining progress needs ongoing investment and commitment. Without it there is a real risk to the very programmes that are making an impact. Where evidence shows impact, we should work to expand these programmes, ensuring that momentum is not lost at this critical time”
Ansaf Azhar
Community voices
So many partners are working together to support people’s health and wellbeing across the county. Keeping communities at the heart of the work to reduce inequalities and improve wellbeing.
There are also a range of other programmes that are led by our partners to enable health and wellbeing within the community. Hear from some of our community health development officers and partners involved with wider programmes below.
