People in North Yorkshire are living longer than ever before. That means we all have the potential to enjoy more years of healthy, active life from childhood right into old age by helping ourselves and our families to live well. But it also means that we may need more help as we get older, to age well and be as healthy and independent as we can be through to the end of our lives.
Also, not all the communities in North Yorkshire are as healthy as we would like. Life expectancy for men living in Scarborough, for example, can vary by as much as 11 years between the richest and poorest areas of the district. We are seeing widening variations in obesity between children living in affluent and deprived neighbourhoods. We want to reduce these gaps and make North Yorkshire as a whole healthier and happier.
North Yorkshire's health and wellbeing board
Health and wellbeing boards are a requirement of the Health and Social Care Act of 2012.
The board has the core functions of:
- Encouraging the improvement and integration of working of health and social care for North Yorkshire;
- Promoting integration and partnership across the council's area including promoting joined up commissioning plans across the NHS, social care and public health;
- Supporting joint commissioning of pooled budgets; and
- Assessing the needs of the local population.
Health and wellbeing boards are a forum for local commissioners across the NHS; public health and social care; elected representatives; and representatives of Healthwatch to discuss how to work together to better the health and wellbeing outcomes of the people in their area.
See the health and wellbeing board page for more information and the latest board developments.
Joint health and wellbeing strategy
The joint health and wellbeing strategy is produced by the health and wellbeing board. It explains the health and wellbeing priorities the board has set in order to tackle the needs identified in the joint strategic needs assessment. It is not about taking action on everything at once, but about setting priorities for joint action and making a real impact on people's lives.
See the joint health and wellbeing strategy page for more information.
Public health
Public health seeks to support everyone to live happy and healthy lives by protecting individuals and local communities from illness and environmental hazards and promoting good health by encouraging individuals themselves to adopt health behaviours.
See the public health pages for more information.
Safer communities
Establishing and maintaining safer communities is a critical part of the health and wellbeing agenda. Organisations such as councils, police and fire and rescue have a duty to work together to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour and their causes. In North Yorkshire this is carried out through the North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership.
 |  | |
Health and wellbeing information from NHS.UKYou can get health and wellbeing information from the NHS.UK website. The site provides a wealth of information on many subjects, including NHS services in England; medical conditions and treatments; lifestyle and health advice; and the science behind health stories in the news. |
