Partnership finalized for health-focused Leeds improvements
In a groundbreaking move, Leeds City Council and University College London's Institute of Health Equity (IHE) have joined forces to launch a two-year programme aimed at making Leeds a fairer and healthier city. Sir Michael Marmot, a world-renowned academic, researcher, and campaigner, announced the programme at the beginning of this week.
The programme, inspired by Sir Michael's extensive research and thinking, as presented in his UK government-commissioned report Fair Society, Healthy Lives, is designed to tackle health inequalities and the part they play in causing illness and lowered life expectancy.
Health inequalities in Leeds, exacerbated by COVID-19, have resulted in significant differences in life expectancy between its wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods. Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health, and Active Lifestyles, acknowledged the city's past efforts to ensure no one is left behind but emphasised that more needs to be done.
The key policy objectives of the programme include giving every child the best start in life, delivering fair employment for all, and creating healthy and sustainable communities with good quality housing. Leeds City Council's Health and Wellbeing Strategy aims to bring the fastest change to those most in need, such as through housing projects providing affordable, warm, and secure homes.
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who holds the position of Chair at the Leeds City Council's Marmot City Partnership and is Director of the University College London's Institute of Health Equity, plays a leading role in guiding the new "Marmot Programme" in Leeds. During his keynote address, he expressed his delight at working with Leeds and excitement for the next two years.
Councillor Salma Arif stated that the new partnership with Sir Michael and the Institute of Health Equity is a significant development. The collaboration is expected to help Leeds achieve its goals of reducing health inequality, building an inclusive economy, and creating safer, stronger communities.
The Marmot programme in Leeds aims to complement and build upon existing local efforts to improve health equity, particularly for disadvantaged communities. Sir Michael noted that the disadvantage of living in certain regions, such as the North East, North West, Yorkshire, and the Humber, is more significant for poorer individuals.
The programme is concerned with the social determinants of health, rather than inequalities of access to care. By addressing factors such as employment, housing, and early childhood development, the programme aims to create lasting change and improve the health and wellbeing of all Leeds residents.
