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Vital Signs
Health challenges
In the North East, health problems are compounded by poverty, resulting in health inequity. And there is a stark difference in life expectancy and quality in the North East when compared to the England average. Philanthropy cannot fill gaps in public sector funding and provision of health and care services. But it can focus on issues most able to be addressed through early interventions and which present the biggest health risks. We need to improve people’s awareness of how the choices we all make impact on our health and build confidence required to adopt healthier behaviours. We also need to invest in communities to tackle the wider circumstances that contribute to ill health. Of particular importance is the support charitable funding can offer to improve mental health.
- National challenges: significant pressure of people being overweight or obese; pandemic exposure of weaknesses in public health and social care; long-term sickness including from mental health issues.
- North East England challenges: people are more likely to have a shorter lifespan and to spend a larger proportion of their lives in poor health. They are also more likely to die prematurely from preventable diseases. Significant gaps in life expectancy between the region’s least and most disadvantaged areas.
