Health inequalities

The North West has a poor record for coronary disease, lung cancer and alcohol-related illness. As a result, life expectancy here is significantly lower than in most other areas of the country. The roots of health inequalities in the region go deep.

But public health teams in Government Office are working on a range of initiatives to improve the lives of people in the North West. There are specialist teams working to tackle problems of alcohol, obesity and tobacco. Particular emphasis is placed on the issue of young people and alcohol. 

In October the Minister spoke at the Towards a Tobacco Free Future Event in Salford. The event brought together leaders and decision makers to commit themselves to the development of a Smoke Free North West. 

There is a strong link between smoking and deprivation – the five most deprived wards in England with the highest smoking prevalence all lie in the North West. 

A key aspect of strategies to tackle the issue of smoking in the region will be to prevent children and young people from taking up smoking and protecting children and young people from exposure to second hand smoke. 

The 12^th May will see the launch of the Big Drink Debate, which is a joint initiative across the NHS North West, GONW and the Regional Public Health Group. The Big Drink Debate will take the form of an online questionnaire posing a series of questions to the public across the NW to tease values, beliefs and attitudes to alcohol and their effects.