Yorkshire and the Humber: Tackling inequalities
Tuesday 16 June, 11.30-12.45
Speakers
- Chair: Paul Johnstone, Regional Director of Public Health from NHS Yorkshire and Humber
- Rachel John, Associate Director of Public Health, NHS North Yorkshire and York
- Tim Allison, Director of Public Health, NHS East Riding of Yorkshire
- Wendy Richardson, Director of Public Health, NHS Hull
- Chris Nield, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Sheffield
The many hats of Yorkshire and the Humber
A Yorkshire flat cap, a rugby cap and a miner’s hard hat were just some of the props used at the opening plenary session of this year’s Faculty of Public Health Annual Conference. As well as drawing roars of laughter from the audience, the different attires demonstrated the distinct regional heritage that has led to specific health behaviours across communities and the diverse groups of people that populate the region – from affluent York to more deprived coastal communities.
The message was clear: the Yorkshire and Humber region has some of the biggest health inequalities in the UK. Chris Nield, from NHS Sheffield, revealed that in some areas of Sheffield 40% of new mothers still smoke at the delivery of their baby. Both Chris and Wendy Richardson, from NHS Hull, spoke about the urgent need to raise communities’ health expectations. Too often people “just put up with it” and ignore the chest pains or other alarming symptoms. Paul Johnstone talked about life expectancy, highlighting the fact that a 10 year old boy in Hull is still expected to live 10 years less than his friend living in a more affluent community. Rachel John made the link between those Yorkshire industries that are traditionally focused on the production of sugar and chocolate, and the prevalence of the obesity in the area.
However, the energy for change was clearly evident. Tim Allison spoke about the work they have done to improve prisoners’ health in East Riding through health trainers and health promotion days. And in Sheffield, local communities are being empowered to improve their own health. An initiative that sends a team of nurses to do heart-checks at local rugby matches is also taking place in Hull.
There are significant challenges ahead – obesity, binge-drinking and the impact of recession on health – but real changes can be made by reaching out to communities, and by remembering that behind every graph and statistic is an individual.