Solihull Council is calling for people’s views on a proposed three-year strategy to tackle health inequalities across the borough. The aim of the Strategy is to improve the lives of those with the worst health outcomes the fastest, to help them live healthier, happier, longer lives.
On average, men in the most deprived 10% of Solihull can expect to live around 11 years less than those in the least deprived – an area of concern the Council is committed to tackling.
This draft Strategy comes at a time of renewed focus on health inequalities nationally with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities set up on 1 October 2021 to tackle health disparities across the UK.
The Strategy is a call to action to residents, community groups and local organisations to partner with the Council and NHS, to tackle health inequalities across the borough. It focuses on what more can be done locally to close the health gap at different stages in people’s lives.
Ambitions are based around four key priorities including maternity and early years; adulthood and work; supporting higher-risk groups (including carers and those they care for) and healthy places (assessing the impact of health inequalities caused by housing, transport and the environment).
People can have their say on ‘Tackling health inequalities: a blueprint for Solihull 2022-2025’ by completing a short anonymous survey which will be available until Monday 7 February 2022.
To take the survey and view the draft Strategy please visit www.solihull.gov.uk/consultations
Solihull Council’s Deputy Leader and Chair of Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Karen Grinsell, said: “We all have a fundamental right to equal opportunities to be healthy, no matter where we live or our background. This is why the Council, alongside the NHS and partners, is committed to tackling health inequalities across our borough.
“We have already started to address this important issue but we want to do more, which is why we have created this Strategy. But we need your input, so whether you are a resident or part of an organisation, please have your say on our draft Strategy.
“We need to know whether we are focusing on the areas that matter most to you and your community. Your feedback matters to us and will be used to influence the direction and actions we take next.”