Merseysiders face living more than a quarter of their life in ill health, according to a report into the future of Liverpool’s health.
Professor Matt Ashton, director of public health used recent data and research, to predict what the state of health will be in 2040 for Liverpudlians.
There has been a lot of growth in the city since 1984, the report focuses on where Liverpool is at right now with its health, as well as delving into the future and what that potentially might look like for residents.
Among some alarming statistics, such as residents facing living more than a quarter of their life in ill health (26.1%), the report also predicts an increase of 38,000 more people living with major illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
Both the government and council have pledged to do everything they can to prevent these predictions becoming a scary reality.
The report investigated the different circumstances residents may face dependant on their lifestyle. People living in poorer parts of the city will live 15 years less than someone living in a more affluent area. In a summary towards the end of the report three recommendations have been put forward in aid of finding a solution.
- Recommendation 1: Consideration be given to how devolved powers on health would support local organisations to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities at pace and scale.
- Recommendation 2: Consideration be given in the 2024/45 municipal year as to how the City Council, with the support of its partners, can make the case for national policy actions to address the main drivers of poor health in the City.
- Recommendation 3: Consideration be given in the 2024/45 municipal year as to how the City Council, with the support of its partners, can make the case for changes to future national funding for health and care services in the city, including preventative investment.
Chancellor Liam Robinson, Liverpool city council said: “We need to use this document as a catalyst to work together with our partners to implement the recommendations made within it, and to come together to lobby the government for devolved powers and long-term investment in services.”
Kathryn Hayden, owner of Allerton Nutrition and a personal wellness coach spends her time bettering the health of individuals living in Liverpool. She does this through providing specific support catered to each person. The aim not to just lost weight but to better the mindset also.
She said: “It’s the healthy products that come with the most cost, it’s easier to get microwavable and processed foods. People will come and have a wellness evaluation and we can help people plan and turn their lives into healthier ones.”
Looking after your health is crucial no matter what age you are. A lot of factors that lead to ill health are socio-economically patterned such as smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and harmful alcohol abuse.
By providing enough information at an early enough stage, these factors can be eliminated before too much harm is done.
Featured image via Unsplash
