Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health on information relating to the new Longer Lives website and provided some explanation regarding the findings from a local perspective.

The Board was advised that on 12 June 2013 Public Health England had launched the new Longer Lives website. The website had been specifically designed to provide local authorities and the NHS with an insight into the top causes of avoidable early death in their areas such as heart disease, stroke and cancer, and how they compared to other areas with a similar social and economic profile.

The Board was further advised that the website was intended to support Local Authorities in identifying their priorities and to help guide their health and wellbeing strategies. Using a traffic-light rating system, the website ranked areas showing those above average in tackling avoidable deaths as green, while those that still had more to do, were red.

Furthermore, it was reported that the Longer Lives website used 2011 data and compared Halton to the rest of England.  It also compared Halton to areas with similar levels of deprivation but with very different ethnic groups with different lifestyle habits.  Next to these areas we were a little better or worse than average for liver disease, lung disease, heart disease and stroke. However, Halton were the worst in the group for cancer.

The graphs set out in Appendix 1 to the report showed how Halton compared to the usual industrial hinterlands statistical neighbours; Salford, St Helens and Hartlepool that had very similar problems. These graphs indicated that Halton was on a par with these areas for the diseases outlined in Longer Lives.

        The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·             It was suggested that cancer in the Borough was increasing and clarity was sought on what was being done about it.  In response it was reported that the Health and Wellbeing Board had developed an action plan to address this issue and it was agreed that the action plan would be circulated to all Members of the Board.

·             It was reported that the Borough had previously been the centre of a chemical industry and as a result of that some areas of the Borough could become problematic with an increase in the number of various forms of cancer.  It was suggested that the outputs of industrial factories in the Borough be monitored, including how and where the waste from the factories was being disposed.  It was also suggested that the sites be surveyed. In response, it was reported that this would be considered and the industries monitored;

·             It was suggested that comparisons should be made to areas with similar environments i.e. high industrial areas.

·             It was reported that progress was being made in heart disease which had reduced in 10 years by 27 % and smoking had also decreased in the Borough.

·             It was reported that the Patient Participation Group in West Bank had identified that not many people had taken up the option of screening.  The practice were looking at ways to encourage people to undertake screening; and

·             It was noted that the Scrutiny Topic Group on Public Health would present an update report to the Board at its January meeting

RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.