South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has launched a groundbreaking, long-term plan aimed at making the region the healthiest in the country, tackling decades of health inequalities and preventable chronic illness.
Too many people in South Yorkshire are dying up to 20 years earlier than they should and living much of their lives in poor physical and mental health. The new Health Equity Panel (HEP) report, commissioned by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and led by Professor Alan Walker CBE, Co-Director of the Healthy Lifespan Institute and Professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology, sets out a 10 year roadmap to change that, through radical prevention, a system-wide shift in policy, and a movement for collective action.
“A healthy life should be available to everyone in South Yorkshire, but it isn’t. This is a bold but achievable mission,” said Alan Walker, who chaired the 20-member expert panel.
At the heart of the plan is the concept of healthy life expectancy, the number of years people live in good health. South Yorkshire’s figures fall far short of the national average, with women living in poor health for over 20 years. The plan sets out to reverse this through early interventions, inclusive economic development, and targeting the social and environmental causes of poor health.
From being born safely to ageing with dignity, the plan outlines 10 core aspirations that every resident of South Yorkshire should be able to expect. These include:
- Decent, affordable housing and safe neighbourhoods
- Fair employment and incomes
- A focus on children’s early years and mental wellbeing
- Protection from harmful commercial practices
- Inclusive, empowered communities
The plan is based on a four-point strategy:
- Radical prevention – tackling health risks at the source, not just the symptoms
- Health equity in all policies – making health a priority across planning, housing, transport, and more
- Proportionate universalism – open-to-all services, scaled to the level of need
- An inclusive economy – where good work supports good health
This is not just another policy document. It is a call to action across the region’s public, private and voluntary sectors. SYMCA and its partners are urged to embed health into every part of life in South Yorkshire, from workplaces to planning departments, schools to bus routes.
With implementation now in the hands of local leaders and organisations, the success of the plan will depend on collective effort. The Health Equity Panel calls for the public to share their views and support the growing movement to make South Yorkshire a national leader in health and wellbeing.
Read the full plan on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority website.