The Case for Change
Reason one
We want, and need, to improve the health of people living in Yorkshire and the Humber and to reduce inequalities.
1
Why does healthcare need to change? Why can't we just carry on doing what we have always done? This chapter seeks to make a compelling case for why we need to tackle some of the root causes of ill health in Y&H, and why we cannot stand still in our provision of services.
Population health and inequality
2
Some parts of Y&H have the lowest life expectancies in England, as shown in figure 7 – using male life expectancy as an example.
3
Over the previous decade, we have seen an increase in life expectancy in Y&H – by over two years for men (76.6) and one year for women (81.0). But this is still below the national average life expectancy in England of 77.3 years for men and 81.6 years for women. And it masks significant variation within Y&H. A baby boy born in Bradford is almost three times more likely to die before their first birthday than a baby born in Hambleton.
4
Public health experts tell us that we have a 'demographic time bomb' in Y&H. The biggest avoidable threats to the health of our population are the continued prevalence of smoking, abuse of alcohol and rising obesity. If current trends continue, by 2010 we are likely to have the highest number of obese or overweight girls aged 11- 15 in England.
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