The York Council are reporting, in a “Health and Wellbeing in York: Joint Strategic Needs Assessment”, that York residents are living longer.

” City of York Council, the Primary Care Trust and partners have worked together to produce a report to help inform the future direction of health and wellbeing in the city. As part of the government’s far-reaching health reforms, local authorities will take on more responsibility for public health from April 2013.

The report called the Health and Wellbeing in York: Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2012 (JSNA) brings together information on current and future health and wellbeing needs. It builds on two previous reports and will be used to help make decisions regarding future strategies and plans.

There are four main sections: a snapshot of who lives in York, a look at “wellbeing” in its widest sense, lifestyles and a profile of health in the city.

The JSNA report shows that population is projected to continue increasing. The proportion of the population over the age of 65 years is expected to increase dramatically between now and 2029. Life expectancy has been rising; death rates from cancer have been falling and York scores better than the England average for many health indicators. Work in these areas needs to continue to maintain these successes.

Unfortunately, the most deprived communities in York still experience more illness and on average die earlier than the majority. Although life expectancy in these areas has improved, many less-healthy lifestyle behaviours and diseases are still over represented when compared to the rest of the city”.

Rachel Johns, Associate Director of Public Health said “Intervening early is a good idea for individuals and may also reduce costs. This can include supporting people to change their behaviour as well as designing services so that people avoid the need for hospital services.”

The JSNA is available on the council website at: www.york.gov.uk/health/yorknhs/