Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Introduction by the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board
We don't all have the same opportunities to live healthy lives. In Gateshead, life expectancy is up to sixteen years less than in the areas of England with the highest life expectancy. (https://analytics.phe.gov.uk/apps/health-inequalities-dashboard/ (opens new window))
People living in poorer areas not only die sooner than those in wealthy areas but spend more of their lives with disability or poor health.
Our health is shaped by the world around us. A healthy and thriving community needs the right building blocks in place (https://www.health.org.uk/resources-and-toolkits/quick-guides/what-builds-good-health (opens new window)). Building blocks like enough income to live on, access to warm, affordable and secure housing, safe neighbourhoods, clean air, green spaces, supportive relationships, and high-quality services such as health and social care. Missing or broken building blocks lead to poor health and deepening inequalities.
Our 2020 Health and Wellbeing Strategy recognised the importance of these building blocks through its vision: "Good jobs, homes, health and friends". This continues to be the vision we are working towards in our updated Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Because the factors that shape our health are so wide-ranging, no single organisation can tackle them alone. That's why this strategy is built on a strong partnership. Across Gateshead, we're fortunate to have a committed network of partners - from the NHS and local government to voluntary organisations and community groups - all working together to align our efforts and create opportunities to improve health and reduce inequalities.
Our shared ambition is clear - to strengthen the building blocks of health and wellbeing - fixing where needed, reinforcing some areas, and sustaining what's strong - so that everyone in Gateshead can thrive and reach their full potential.
We know this is possible - because we've seen it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, communities, organisations, and individuals came together in extraordinary ways, acting with compassion, solidarity, and purpose.
That spirit of collaboration continues today, with agile and innovative work taking place in many areas across the system, and it gives us hope that we can close the health gap and break the cycle of disadvantage, so that every person, in every neighbourhood, can thrive.