Posted on: 9 April 2025
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership continues to make significant progress in addressing health inequalities across the region. Through targeted interventions and collaborative initiatives, we have achieved meaningful improvements in improving population health.
Improving Population Health Fellowship
Our fellowship programme has empowered healthcare professionals to develop innovative solutions that address health inequalities. Fellows have led projects focusing on early intervention, community engagement and evidence-based policy development.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention
We have expanded efforts to detect and manage CVD early, reducing hospital admissions and improving long-term health. This includes increasing blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings, particularly in high-risk communities.
West Yorkshire Tobacco Alliance
Through our Tobacco Alliance, we are making progress in reducing smoking rates, particularly among vulnerable groups. We are working collaboratively with South Yorkshire, Humber and North Yorkshire to deliver a regionwide Yes to Quit smoking cessation campaign called ‘What Will You Miss?’. The eight-week campaign spans TV, radio, out of home advertising, social media and online platforms. Mass media advertising is driving people to www.
Healthy weight and obesity strategy
A life-course approach is being adopted supporting people from pregnancy through to ageing well. To address obesity effectively and ensure a holistic and sustainable response across our region, we aim to co-produce solutions with partners acknowledging the complex factors that contribute to obesity, including socioeconomic status, mental health, trauma and access to healthy food and physical activity. Our Obesity Strategy aligns with national priorities while focusing on local needs.
Physical activity
We have enhanced access to physical activity opportunities by working with local councils, sports organisations and community groups. Programmes include free exercise classes, improved green spaces and targeted activities for older adults and people with disabilities.
Inclusion health
Recognising the unique challenges faced by marginalised communities, we have established an Inclusion Health Network to provide tailored support. This ensures that groups such as refugees, homeless individuals and people with complex social needs receive the healthcare access they need.
Building on progress
- We are one of three integrated care boards selected to be an early adopter of the Work and Health Accelerator. The plan for West Yorkshire is to focus on three areas: the health and care workforce, targeted prevention for working age adults and wider employer support
Grow the Improving Population Health Fellowship to develop further expertise in tackling health inequalities as well as other fellow areas such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR); suicide prevention; climate change; adversity, trauma and resilience- Increase CVD prevention activities, with a focus on early diagnosis and lifestyle changes
- Strengthen our efforts in the West Yorkshire Tobacco Alliance to further reduce smoking rates and create a smokefree West Yorkshire
- Enhance support through our Obesity Strategy, particularly for children and young people
- Promote greater participation in physical activity through new partnerships
- Expand the Inclusion Health Network, ensuring more communities benefit from tailored healthcare solutions
Throughout all our activities, embedding trauma-informed principles is essential to tackling the root causes of health inequalities. Understanding how adversity and trauma impact health and behaviour allows us to create services that are compassionate, inclusive and more effective - particularly for those disproportionately affected by inequality.
Sarah Smith, Deputy Director - Population Health said:
“West Yorkshire has made great strides in tackling health inequalities, but there is still more to do. Our continued focus on prevention, early intervention and community collaboration will help us build a fairer, healthier future for all. By working together and committing to long-term change, we are creating a stronger, healthier West Yorkshire.”
For more information, see the paper taken to the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Board meeting on 1 April 2025.