Liverpool’s Health and Wellbeing Board, 18 March 2026, has renewed its commitment to tackling health inequalities affecting women and improving support for unpaid carers, following key discussions on the upcoming Women’s Health report and the new All-Age Carers Strategy.
The Board heard that women in Liverpool spend almost 30% of their lives in poor health, with life expectancy now declining. Women consistently report not feeling heard in healthcare and face multiple pressures including deprivation, domestic and sexual violence, poor mental health, stigma, and barriers in accessing good information and care. Poverty, unpaid caring responsibilities, and the gender pay gap further widen inequalities for women and children.
The Board unanimously endorsed the Women’s Health report, praising strong partnership work across the system. The report explains why it’s important to listen to women when making future decisions. It highlights the need to challenge discrimination based on sex or gender, and to make sure all policies, programmes and services take women’s needs into account. This includes improving the way we collect and use data, making sure it is broken down by sex and ethnicity so we can spot inequalities, and ensuring women are properly represented in research.
Members also welcomed the upcoming Liverpool Women’s Health Conference in May 2026, which will help build a shared understanding of the health issues women face and support efforts to improve women’s health.
Recommendations from the All-Age Carers Strategy were also supported. Developed with carers and partner organisations, it aims to improve the identification of carers, strengthen access to support, and ensure carers of all ages, including young carers, are recognised, valued, and involved in decisions that affect them. The Board also received an update from the Liverpool Safeguarding Adults Board, reaffirming the city’s collective commitment to protecting vulnerable adults.
The Health and Wellbeing Board emphasised the importance of cross sector action to deliver meaningful change and build on existing good practice across the city.
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Women’s health inequalities in Liverpool are deep-rooted, longstanding and unacceptable. This ongoing work shows our determination to listen to women, understand their experiences, and make real, systemwide changes that will improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life. Today’s endorsement demonstrates a united commitment across the city to drive this forward.”
Access relevant documents from the Health and Wellbeing Board here: Agenda for Liverpool Health & Wellbeing Board on Wednesday, 18th March, 2026, 1.00 p.m. – Liverpool City Council
