Official Statistics

Public Health Outcomes Framework: commentary, February 2023

Published 7 February 2023

Applies to England

Public Health Outcomes Framework statistical summary February 2023

1. Background

The Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) sets out a high level overview of public health outcomes, at national and local level, supported by a broad set of indicators. An interactive web tool makes the PHOF data available publicly. This allows local authorities to assess progress in comparison to national averages and their peers, and develop their work plans accordingly.

2. New in this update

The latest update includes data for 42 indicators. This summary provides the main messages from indicators on early years development, and screening indicators. For a complete list of indicators that have been updated please see the table of Public Health Outcomes Framework: indicator updates.

2.1 Early years development in England, B02a to B02d

These indicators measure early years development across a wide range of developmental areas. Children from more deprived backgrounds are more at risk of a lower level of development and the evidence shows that these differences emerge early in life.

This is the first time point added since the 2021 to 2022 Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) reforms were introduced in September 2021. As part of those reforms, the EYFS statutory framework was significantly revised. It is therefore not possible to directly compare 2021 to 2022 assessment outcomes with earlier years.

Main findings

• The percentage of children achieving a good level of development at the end of Reception was 65.2% during 2021 to 2022. For children eligible for free school meals this was 49.1% during 2021 to 2022.

• For 2021 to 2022 the percentage of children achieving the expected level in the phonics screening check in Year 1 was 75.5%. For children eligible for free school meals, 62% were achieving the expected level in the phonics screening in Year 1 during 2021 to 2022.

• In 2021 to 2022, percentage of children achieving at least the expected level in communication and language skills at the end of Reception was 79.5%.

• The percentage of children achieving at least the expected level of development in communication, language and literacy skills of end at the end of Reception was 67.1% during 2021 to 2022.

2.2 Cancer screening, C24a to C24d

These indicators are included in the framework to provide an opportunity to encourage screening promotion and other local initiatives to increase coverage of cancer screening. Improvements in coverage would mean more cancers are detected at earlier, more treatable stages.

The coverage of breast screening in women aged 53 to 70 years of age, has remained in line with the previous year at 64.9% for 2022, compared with 64.1% in 2021. Breast cancer screening has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and remains below pre-pandemic levels of 74.1% or more.

Bowel cancer screening coverage increased to 70.3% in 2022 from 66.1% in 2021. This increase is in line with previous years and the ongoing trend.

2.3 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening, C24e

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening aims to reduce AAA related mortality among men aged 65 to 74. Men who turned 65 in the screening year (April to the March of the following year) and haven’t had previous AAA surgery are offered a one-off ultrasound scan. 70.3% of eligible men were screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during the period 2021 to 2022. This is an increase on the previous year of 15 percentage points. Although this is an improvement, the screening levels for AAA have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

2.4 Diabetic eye screening, C24f

Early identification and treatment of diabetic eye disease could reduce sight loss. Uptake is an important measure of programme performance.

Uptake of diabetic eye screening, for persons aged 12 and over, increased to 78.4% during 2021 to 2022 from 67.9% in the period 2020 to 2021. However, screening remains below pre-pandemic levels of 81.5% or more.

View the Public Health Outcomes Framework

Responsible statistician, product lead: Kathryn Morgan

For queries relating to this publication contact PHA-OHID@dhsc.gov.uk

The next planned update is March 2023.