Liverpool City Council has shared an important update on its efforts to tackle health inequalities, following a report revealing people living in deprived areas of Liverpool are dying up to 15 years earlier than those in other parts of the city.
At the Full Council meeting (Wednesday 2 April) Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, presented a 12-month progress report on Liverpool’s response to the landmark State of Health in Liverpool 2040 report.
Released in January 2024, the report also found that if left unaddressed, by 2040 major illness could rise by 38,000 people, and the burden of depression, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions would significantly increase.
In response, the Council referred oversight of the report’s recommendations to the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) chaired by Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, committing to long-term, meaningful change.
Key achievements from the past year include:
- A new 0–19 Health Service for children and young people, delivered by Mersey Care, Alder Hey and wider Council services.
- A new integrated addictions service for all ages, delivered by Change Grow Live.
- The launch of LivLife, a healthy weight service supporting families, children, and adults with food and physical activity.
- A new social support service at Alder Hey, offering families broader advice and support through Health Junction and Citizens Advice.
- Liverpool to be confirmed as a Marmot City, recognising the commitment to tackling health inequalities using evidence-based principles.
The Health and Wellbeing Board, alongside over 200 local, regional, and national partners, have also been driving forward other recommendations contained within Liverpool Health 2040, by influencing a range of strategies such as the city’s new Housing Strategy, Tobacco Control Strategy, and a refreshed Physical Activity Strategy.
The Council is currently working up proposals, using at least £500k of the Public Health grant funding, to reinvigorate youth services by significantly investing in youth workers. This targeted support will be an integral part of a new, multi-agency plan for the city that seeks to improve joint working to help young people thrive.
The city has also advanced its commitment to data-driven decision-making in partnership with local universities, ensuring robust, evidence-informed policy.
Additionally, Liverpool has been a vocal advocate for national policy changes, lobbying for better funding and greater local powers to address unhealthy environments and behaviours. One powerful example is Liverpool’s role in supporting the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will prevent the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2009.
Other actions by the City Council include banning unhealthy advertising on its owned media spaces, such as products high in fat, salt, or sugar, alcohol, and gambling, and pushing for this policy to be adopted across the wider city region.
The Council’s announcement that the city will officially be designated a Marmot City is a significant milestone recognising Liverpool’s adoption of Sir Michael Marmot’s evidence-based principles to tackle health inequalities by addressing their root causes.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“We know meaningful, long-term change takes time and there are no quick fixes when it comes to tackling deep-rooted health inequalities.
“However, by maintaining momentum, working in partnership across the system, and holding ourselves to account, we can and will continue to build a healthier and fairer city for everyone.
“This is about creating lasting change that will benefit future generations, not just short-term improvements.”
Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, Professor Matthew Ashton, said:
“The Liverpool Health 2040 report struck a chord with all of us. It laid bare the urgent need to act and challenged us to think differently about how we address health inequalities.
“I am really pleased with our progress over the last 12 months. However, we must continue to embed this approach into our strategies and actions at every level, ensuring that health equity is not just a goal, but a core principle shaping the future of our city.”
