Professor Whitty’s annual report which has been published today, 12th December 2024 outlines a broad range of health opportunities and challenges for city populations, and includes case studies from core cities in England including Liverpool.
Details:
A high proportion of England’s population, and especially people living in deprivation and poverty, live in cities throughout their lives. Others come to cities early in their adult lives for work or study before moving out, often after they start a family.
Cities tend to have a high flux of movement, high concentrations of entrenched deprivation in specific areas, high proportions of younger and student populations alongside large numbers of older people, and high ethnic diversity.
Health challenges in cities addressed in the report include:
- the health effects of housing
- the food environment
- lower vaccination and screening rates
- high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- access to exercise and physical activity
- air pollution
People in cities often use the NHS and healthcare differently than those in other areas, given the transient nature of some groups within city populations.
Addressing these challenges requires a broad range of actions from policymakers, the NHS and individual citizens.
Liverpool case study (See section 3.4 – page 94 – 104)
Liverpool is the 3rd most deprived local authority in the country. 63% of residents live in areas ranked among the most deprived quintile in England while 10% of areas are among the most deprived one percent. 3 in 10 children aged under 16 live in poverty. Deprivation is more concentrated in the north of the city, where most areas are ranked in the most deprived one or ten percent nationally.
As part of its aim to be a Marmot city, Liverpool is focusing on improving wellbeing by addressing social determinants of health and embedding a health in all policies focus in everything. The Fairer, Healthier Liverpool Partnership group is a subgroup of the Health and Wellbeing Board with representation from Partners across the City. With an action focus this group is important in ensuring everyone plays their part through collaborative action.
To download the full report or for an executive summary and recommendations, visit Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2024: health in cities – GOV.UK
