This annual report illustrates how Santé publique France continued its mission in 2023 to improve and protect public health, notably by being at the forefront of surveillance, prevention, health promotion, and early warning systems.
It highlights the work we have carried out, both in generating data and in analyzing it to continuously improve our approaches and responses. It also demonstrates how Santé publique France disseminates its information with a focus on transparency and public education, and shares its expertise at the European and international levels.

Openness and innovation are at the heart of our approach

It is by listening to society and working with our partners that we are able to anticipate, understand, and respond to health challenges. Listening to society remains a founding value of Santé publique France. We intend to further diversify our channels for dialogue, both with the general public and with organized civil society, and to continue expanding our engagement with other sectors through a One Health approach to health, leveraging innovative methods.

For Santé publique France, innovation means thinking differently to continuously improve our methodologies for investigating and evaluating prevention and health promotion interventions, our surveillance systems, and our ability to anticipate crises. It means being able to anticipate and adapt to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

All these actions are part of the six major strategic public health priorities that form the basis of the Agency’s programming and support policies aimed at improving health in all its dimensions, at the local level. This activity report also outlines a localized approach that takes into account the living conditions of populations as well as the impact of social inequalities, all the way through to making expert and reference information available to everyone.

An English version will be available shortly.

Key Focus Areas for Santé publique France in 2023

• For over 30 years, the repeated surveys conducted by the Santé publique France Barometer on a wide range of topics (smoking, alcohol consumption, vaccination practices, cancer screening, physical activity, nutrition, etc.) have helped to better understand the health attitudes and behaviors of people living in France, enabling the development of legitimate and effective interventions.

• The continuation of cross-cutting programs—on mental health, perinatal care, and the impact of climate change on health—has also enabled the deployment of integrated public health initiatives that reflect our priorities and the involvement of all relevant partners.

• Social marketing initiatives with encouraging results, such as the first eight editions of No Smoking Month.

• Survey results, such as those from CoviPrev, reveal trends—such as a decline in the adoption of preventive measures—and allow us to reaffirm the importance of information in preventing the spread of viruses.

• A new strategy to address bronchiolitis.

• Close monitoring of vector-borne diseases in all regions.

• Expanded knowledge on the impact of climate change on health. Consequences that are already visible and measurable, and which are now the focus of prevention programs.

• The agency’s ability to mobilize material and human resources at very short notice to respond to exceptional health situations, such as the drought in Mayotte and the rise in diseases linked to water shortages.

• The strengthening of our surveillance systems in the context of major events.