NHS and civic leaders in the North East have launched a plan to "reduce the gap between us and the rest of England" when it comes to our health and wellbeing.
Developed by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Partnership - made up of NHS, local authority and third sector groups - the new Better Health and Wellbeing for All plan aims to alter a stark picture. As is stands, the North East has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in England, the second highest rates for heart and liver disease and the highest rates of suicide.
Social deprivation - especially among children, with child poverty in the North as high as it's been since 2001 at 34% - is also a huge issue. The new report recognises the links between these factors and sets out "a series of demanding targets to improve lives".
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These include aims to:
Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, chair of the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and the former Chief Medical Officer for England, said: "Our region has done a great deal to improve people's health, but the statistics still make for difficult reading. Sadly, people here still die younger and live with illnesses for longer than in other parts of the country - especially in our most deprived communities.
"In nine of our 13 local authority areas there is a healthy life expectancy of less than 60 years. There are only four areas in the whole of the south of England that are this low."
The plan, published last week also explains it is vital that health and social care organisations worked together to find ways to tackle broader societal issues - including housing, education, employment, and the economy.
Professor Sir Liam added: "Behind these figures are real people who could be living longer, healthier lives, and children who should be getting the best possible start in life. Not everyone has the same opportunities to be healthy because of where they grow up, live and work.
"That's why we need to be ambitious and clear about what we want to change, together. We have set a vision and ambitions which we hope will reduce the gap between us and the rest of England, so that all our communities can live healthier and happier lives."
Tom Hall, is Director of Public Health in South Tyneside. He has previously spoken of the need for a broad approach - and greater devolution - to help tackle the deep-seated issues in our region. Mr Hall highlighted how working to improve life expectancy is one thing, but minimising the years we spent in ill-health will also have huge benefits.
He said: "These are deep-seated problems, and no single organisation can tackle them alone - but with the strength of our NHS, local authorities, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations we can make a real difference.
"Together we have set four demanding goals for 2030. We want longer and healthier lives for people in our region, and everyone to have the same opportunities to stay healthy regardless of where they live or what they earn. We will work for high quality health and care services for everyone, with children getting the best start in life, wherever you live and whoever you are.
"That means growing our skilled workforce, harnessing new technology and working flexibly together to help people to stay healthy. We'll also be advocating for more resources to tackle our needs, and becoming a greener region, because we know a healthier planet means healthier people."
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