LIFE expectancy in Warrington has increased by almost four years for men and more than two years for women since the turn of the century, according to a new Public Health report.
The average life expectancy at birth in men has increased for men from 74.9 years to 78.6 years; and for women from 79.1 years to 81.7 years.
It was one of the major successes highlighted, along with a decrease in smoking prevalence from 21% in 2001 to 13% in 2013, and a reduction in teenage pregnancies, now lower than at any point over the past 15 years.
The new report, published by Warrington Borough Council’s Public Health team, outlines the main challenges for improving and protecting the health of Warrington residents over the next 15 years.
Priorities for Warrington highlighted by Public Health are:
· Continuing efforts to drive down smoking levels in the borough, through initiatives such as ‘stop them young’, improving awareness among workers, and increasing the smoke-free areas in the town centre.
· Tackling alcohol and substance misuse through effective intervention and rapid treatment.
· Improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the local population.
· Supporting Warrington to be a healthy weight and tackling obesity.
The priorities are set within further challenges highlighted in the report, such as dealing with an increasing older population and tackling health inequalities in deprived areas of Warrington.
Executive board member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “This is an important document, which reflects on the changing picture of public health over the past 15 years, and sets out our plans for building a healthier future for Warrington.
“It is clear that a huge amount of progress has been made here, but there is still much more to do.
“While we know that public health interventions can take time to have an effect, the progress we have made in recent years shows that the investment is worth it.
“This report gives us the opportunity to refresh and reinforce our collective efforts on health.
“As such, it will be an important tool in our on-going work to improve the health of local people, in particular those who are most disadvantaged.”
The Public Health annual report was reviewed, discussed and noted at the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday 7th July 2016.
The report will be shared with all elected members and professionals in the Clinical Commissioning Group, GP Federations, Healthwatch, and other partners. The report will also be available on-line at www.warrington.gov.uk/publichealth
