Making life better for the people of North Yorkshire (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Making life better for the people of North Yorkshire

2:07pm Tuesday 21st August 2012 in News

A NEW public body aims to make life even better for people living in Britain’s biggest county.

People in North Yorkshire generally enjoy better health than in many other parts of the UK, according to the county’s new Health and Wellbeing Board.

But while most people enjoy above-average health, there are still many who don’t - and that is what the board wants to change.

It is now outlining the priorities and policies it believes are necessary to enable the good health of the majority to be shared by all.

“We can be thankful that generally speaking we enjoy better health than the average across England, and the feeling that North Yorkshire is a good place in which to live contributes to our sense of wellbeing” said board chairman Coun John Weighell.

“However, there are some people whose opportunities and lifestyles mean they do not live the long, healthy lives they might rightfully expect. We must do something about that.

“As well as seeking to improve everyone’s health and wellbeing, we must address the inequalities that mean people in some parts of the county are likely to live shorter, less healthy lives than others.”

Men who live in the county’s most deprived communities die on average 6.3 years earlier than those in the least deprived areas. For women, the difference is 4.6 years.

The board has drawn up a draft strategy for addressing the issues involved, and is now urging the public to get involved in a consultation on its ideas.

The strategy can be viewed and downloaded online at nypartnerships.org.uk/jhws.

An event where people can contribute their own ideas will be held at the Pavilions, Harrogate , at 2pm on September 19. To book a place, email jsna@northyorks.gov.uk, or call 01609-532525.