New plans launched to make Leeds a healthier city

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF LEEDS HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD

Two new plans to improve people’s health and wellbeing in Leeds are launched today (Thursday 7 December).

The Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy aims to break the link between poverty and poor health; and the Healthy Leeds Plan outlines how the health and care system will transform over the next five years to improve health outcomes for the people.

The plans have been produced by the Leeds health and wellbeing board which is a partnership of senior representatives from organisations across the city including Leeds City Council, the NHS, the community sector and Healthwatch, which represents views of the public.

Both plans aim to tackle the city’s health inequalities; statistics show 26% of the population live in the 10% most deprived communities nationally. The life expectancy gap between the most affluent and least affluent parts in Leeds is 14 years for women and 11 years for men.

Research shows that people’s health is determined not just by the services they receive, but also where they live and the quality of housing, jobs, and the local environment. Making improvements in these areas can help prevent illnesses.

At the heart of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy are 12 priorities where city leaders agree they can make the biggest difference.

These range from improving housing, to maximising the benefits of world leading research and technology, through to better support for carers.

Councillor Fiona Venner, Chair of the Leeds health and wellbeing board, and executive member for children’s social care and health partnerships at Leeds City Council said:

“It’s more important than ever that we work together to improve people’s health and wellbeing and ensure everyone can live healthier lives.

“We know that people’s health is affected by the jobs they have, the homes and communities they live in and the quality of services they receive.

“This strategy recognises that by creating improvements in all these areas, we can help people be healthier for longer.”

The Health and Wellbeing Strategy is closely aligned with the Inclusive Growth Strategy which recognises that a healthy city is reliant on a healthy economy. This work also supports the city’s zero carbon ambitions, recognising the positive impact that a green city can have on health and wellbeing.

Tim Ryley, Accountable Officer, Leeds Office of the West Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board, said:

“The new Healthy Leeds Plan reaffirms the commitment of health and social care partners in Leeds to work together to address the biggest challenges we collectively share.

“Now more than ever, it is essential that we put more focus on improving people’s health and preventing them from becoming ill in the first place.

“Equally, people need to be assured that when they need to access health and care services, they can do so in an equitable way and that the care they receive will be tailored to their needs. This new plan will help us to achieve these ambitions.”

The Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy is available at: www.leedshws.org.uk

ENDS

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Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007