Public Health England (PHE) was a national public health organisation in England that worked to protect and improve people’s health. Established in 2013, it played an important role in areas such as disease prevention, health protection, health improvement, public health research, and reducing health inequalities. PHE also provided scientific advice, health information, and support during public health emergencies. Although Public Health England ceased operating in 2021, its former responsibilities continue through organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Understanding the role of PHE helps explain how England’s public health system has developed and how its responsibilities are managed today.
What Was Public Health England?
Public Health England was a national public health organisation responsible for helping protect and improve the health of people in England. It worked with central government, local authorities, the NHS, public health professionals and other organisations.
Its work covered both health protection and health improvement. This meant that its responsibilities ranged from responding to infectious diseases and other public health hazards to supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing health inequalities.
PHE also provided scientific expertise, research, health information and analysis to help decision-makers understand public health challenges.
Before its closure, PHE described its purpose as protecting and improving the nation’s health and wellbeing while reducing differences in health between population groups.
When Was Public Health England Established?
Public Health England was established on 1 April 2013. It brought together public health specialists from more than 70 organisations into a single public health service.
The organisation was designed to provide national expertise while supporting local public health services. It employed thousands of scientists, researchers and public health professionals and operated through regional and local centres.
During its years of operation, PHE became an important source of public health guidance, data, research and specialist advice in England.
What Did Public Health England Do?
PHE had a broad range of responsibilities. Some of its major areas of work included:
Protecting the Public From Health Threats
One of PHE’s central responsibilities was health protection. This included helping identify and respond to infectious diseases, environmental hazards and other threats to population health.
The organisation also supported preparedness for public health emergencies and worked with other parts of the health system during outbreaks and emergencies.
Supporting Healthier Lifestyles
Public Health England also worked on health improvement and prevention.
Its activities covered areas such as:
- Healthy eating
- Physical activity
- Obesity prevention
- Tobacco control
- Alcohol and drug-related health
- Sexual health
- Mental health and public mental health
- Health inequalities
- Maternity and early years
PHE used research, public information, behavioural science and partnerships to support improvements in population health.
Collecting and Analysing Health Data
Reliable data is essential for public health planning. PHE collected, analysed and shared information to improve understanding of health problems and identify emerging challenges.
Its analytical and scientific work supported government, the NHS, local authorities and public health professionals.
Supporting Local Authorities and the NHS
Public health decisions are often made at a local level. PHE provided expertise and support to local authorities and NHS organisations, including advice connected with immunisation, screening, health improvement and public health planning.
Why Was Public Health England Replaced?
The UK government announced a major reform of the public health system in 2021.
The reform was intended to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent and respond to infectious diseases and other health threats while also improving the organisation of health improvement and prevention responsibilities.
Rather than keeping all of PHE’s functions within one organisation, its responsibilities were divided among several organisations.
The reforms became fully operational on 1 October 2021. PHE’s health protection functions moved to the newly established UK Health Security Agency, while health improvement and healthcare public health functions moved to organisations including OHID, NHS England and NHS Digital.
What Replaced Public Health England?
There was not one single organisation that simply replaced every function of PHE. Instead, its responsibilities were distributed across the reformed public health system.
UK Health Security Agency
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) took over PHE’s health protection responsibilities.
These responsibilities include protecting the population from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. UKHSA formally started work on 1 October 2021, and the agency states that PHE is no longer operational.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) was created within the Department of Health and Social Care.
It incorporated many of PHE’s functions connected with national health improvement policy, including work related to prevention, health inequalities and healthier living.
NHS England and Other Organisations
Some former PHE responsibilities also moved into NHS England and NHS Digital as part of the 2021 reforms.
The government published a detailed breakdown showing where individual PHE functions were transferred, rather than treating the organisation’s previous responsibilities as a single package.
Public Health England and COVID-19
Public Health England played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic because the organisation was responsible for important health protection functions.
The pandemic also contributed to the government’s decision to reform the public health system. The new arrangements were designed to strengthen national health security and improve the country’s ability to prepare for and respond to future threats.
PHE continued operating through the transition period in 2021 before its functions were formally transferred.
The UK Health Security Agency was established on 1 April 2021, while PHE retained its health protection functions during the transition until 30 September 2021.
Is Public Health England Still Operating?
No. Public Health England is no longer operating.
PHE ceased operating on 30 September 2021, with its functions transferred to other parts of the public health system. The government subsequently published documentation concerning the formal dissolution of PHE and amendments replacing references to the former organisation.
Therefore, searches for “Public Health England” today often lead people to historical government publications, archived guidance or information describing the organisation’s former responsibilities.
For current health protection information, UKHSA is generally the relevant organisation for functions that were transferred to it.
Where to Find Public Health Information Today
The organisation you should look for depends on the type of information you need.
| Type of information | Relevant organisation |
| Infectious disease and health protection | UK Health Security Agency |
| National health improvement policy | Office for Health Improvement and Disparities |
| NHS services and healthcare | NHS England |
| Public health history and archived PHE material | GOV.UK archives and publications |
Because PHE’s responsibilities were distributed, there is no single replacement for every type of information it previously provided.
For historical research, government publications can still be useful. For current guidance, however, readers should check the organisation currently responsible for the relevant area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PHE stand for?
PHE stands for Public Health England. It was the national public health agency for England from 2013 until 2021.
When did Public Health England close?
Public Health England ceased operating on 30 September 2021. Its functions transferred to several organisations as part of the public health system reforms.
Who replaced Public Health England?
PHE was not replaced by one organisation. Its responsibilities were divided primarily among the UK Health Security Agency, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England and NHS Digital.
Is UKHSA the same as Public Health England?
No. UKHSA is a separate organisation created as part of the 2021 public health reforms. It took over many of PHE’s health protection functions, while other PHE responsibilities moved elsewhere.
What was Public Health England responsible for?
PHE was responsible for protecting public health, responding to health emergencies, supporting healthier lifestyles, reducing health inequalities, analysing health data, conducting research and providing specialist advice to government, the NHS and local authorities.
Why do people still search for Public Health England?
People may search for PHE because they are looking for historical guidance, older reports, research or information published before the organisation closed. Much of this material remains relevant for historical and research purposes, although current responsibilities may now belong to different organisations.
Where did PHE’s health protection work go?
PHE’s health protection functions were transferred to the UK Health Security Agency when the new arrangements became operational on 1 October 2021.
Where did PHE’s health improvement work go?
A significant part of PHE’s health improvement work moved to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, while other functions moved to NHS England and NHS Digital.
Conclusion
Public Health England played an important role in England’s public health system between 2013 and 2021. It combined health protection, prevention, research, data analysis and health improvement expertise to support the government, NHS, local authorities and the public.
The organisation ceased operating on 30 September 2021 as part of a wider reform of the public health system. Its responsibilities were distributed among organisations including UKHSA, OHID and NHS England rather than being transferred to one direct successor.
Understanding this change is important when searching for public health guidance today. Historical PHE publications can still provide valuable information, but current advice should be obtained from the organisation that now holds responsibility for the relevant public health function.
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