Conclusions (Public Health, State of the South West 2011)
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8.14.1 Good health is both a contributor to, and an effect of, the high quality of life enjoyed by South West residents. Measures of socioeconomic prosperity such as education, employment and income are all closely linked to health. Population groups most likely to suffer from poor health are those most at risk of social exclusion, or most likely to live in areas of poor environmental quality, or both.
8.14.2 Despite the overall picture of good health in the region there is no room for complacency.
8.14.3 Matching the best health in Europe. Being the best in England should not necessarily be seen as a measure of success. When the South West is compared to other equivalent populations, such as other countries in Europe, there are still substantial health gains to be achieved. Moreover, at small area level there are very real inequalities. This is why the NHS in the South West has developed the Strategic Framework for Improving Health in the South West 2008/09 to 2010/11. This sets out an ambitious vision for health in the South West and the future direction and priorities for action. The ambitions are designed to ensure that people in the South West experience the best that the NHS can offer – a world class service, leading to world class standards of health.
They include:
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match the highest life expectancy in Europe by 2013. halt the rise in hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm and achieve a downward trend by 2013.
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achieve a minimum of 50% reduction in under-18 conception rates by 2013 (from 1998 baseline).
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reverse the trend in childhood obesity to achieve a clear downward trend in the level of childhood obesity by 2013 (in both Reception and Year 6).
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continue to reduce maternal death and stillbirths each year.
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increase the percentage of women breastfeeding their children at six to eight weeks to 60% by 31 March 2011.
