Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership is setting out to improve health and wellbeing and is set to have its very own Health Equity Commission, chaired by an international expert in health equity, Professor Sir Michael Marmot.  This follows an agreement by health and community leaders to form a Lancashire and South Cumbria Health Equity Commission to improve health inequalities and help transform the health and wellbeing of people living in the region.

Lancashire and South Cumbria is home to a growing population of 1.8 million people. More of our population is getting older and experiencing long-term health problems. Some of these diseases could be avoided or the ill effects slowed down if we took positive action to prevent them.

Living long, healthy, and happy lives is a goal that everyone aspires to; unfortunately, this is not the same for everyone, and there remain persistent and widening gaps between those with the best and worst health and wellbeing.  This difference is unfair, unjust, and avoidable. Health equity means striving for the highest possible standard of health for all people and giving special attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health, based on their social and economic circumstances.

Following a launch webinar in September, which attracted over 500 delegates from all over Lancashire and South Cumbria, the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health Equity Commission has fired the starting gun for health and community leaders to conduct reviews of health equity in their area, with the express aim of improving the health of people in the region.

With Professor Sir Michael Marmot as the Chair, the Health Equity Commission will consist of regional health, community, business, and public sector leaders and influencers, as well as independent experts. The Commission will aim to provide local leaders, organisations, and partnerships with the support they need to make health inequalities and the ‘prevention agenda’ a joint priority and provide a loud and clear voice in the region. The initial scope of the Health Equity Commission is to influence all partners to mobilise health and care to reduce health inequalities and its role in the economy.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Independent Chair of Lancashire and South Cumbria Health Equity Commission, and Director of the Institute for Health Equity said:

“To reduce health inequalities, it is necessary to improve the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. The enthusiasm and commitment of local leaders to achieving health equity inspires the belief that this HEC will make a real difference to the lives of people in Lancashire and South Cumbria. It is a privilege to be associated with this endeavour.”

David Flory, Independent Chair for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, the integrated care partnership said:

“I am delighted that so many delegates attended the launch of the Health Equity Commission in Lancashire and South Cumbria from a range of sectors including health,  local authorities, universities, the voluntary sector, businesses, and other sectors such as transport, housing, and economic development.

“The reduction of health inequalities is everyone’s business. If there is one thing we can do to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria it would be to level up the health and related social and economic conditions for residents.

“We are grateful and honoured that Professor Sir Michael Marmot has agreed to chair our Health Equity Commission, he brings a wealth of international experience to our work as a partnership to make a difference and improve the lives of Lancashire and South Cumbria residents.”

For more information visit: https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/hec