Health
The Herefordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) highlights that, while overall health outcomes in the county are generally better than the national average, significant challenges remain around an ageing population, mental wellbeing, preventable ill-health and persistent health inequalities. The overarching vision adopted by local partners is to achieve “good health and wellbeing for everyone”, with a particular focus on giving children the best start in life and improving mental wellbeing across the life course.
One of the most important priorities identified within the JSNA is reducing health inequalities. Although Herefordshire experiences lower overall deprivation than many parts of England, deprivation is not evenly distributed. There are persistent pockets of disadvantage, particularly within Hereford city and some market towns. These inequalities are reflected in health outcomes: people living in the most deprived communities can expect to live at least four years less than those living in more affluent areas of the county. Although life expectancy remains higher than the national average, the gap between Herefordshire and England is narrowing, underlining the need for targeted interventions in disadvantaged communities.
Mental health and wellbeing are identified as major priorities. Local partners recognise that mental wellbeing has an equal importance to physical health and that poor mental health can have lifelong consequences. Recent work has included improved suicide surveillance, greater partnership working and strengthened support for children and young people through schools and educational settings. These actions reflect concerns about rising mental health needs and the importance of prevention and early intervention.
Healthy life expectancy remains a significant challenge for Herefordshire. Although residents generally live longer than the national average, many spend a substantial proportion of later life in poor health. The JSNA highlights that the gap in healthy life expectancy between the most and least deprived communities is considerably wider than differences in overall life expectancy. This means that people living in disadvantaged areas not only die younger but also experience more years of illness, disability and reduced quality of life. Reducing this inequality is a key priority because it affects individuals’ ability to work, remain independent and participate fully in community life. Rural isolation, lower incomes, housing challenges and limited access to services can further contribute to poorer healthy life expectancy in some communities.
The JSNA also identifies the main long-term health conditions affecting Herefordshire residents. As in many ageing populations, cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, remain major causes of ill-health and premature mortality. Cancer continues to be a leading contributor to mortality, while increasing numbers of people are living with long-term conditions such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, dementia and frailty. Musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and chronic pain, place a considerable burden on quality of life, particularly amongst older adults. The growing prevalence of multiple long-term conditions means that many residents require ongoing support from health and social care services, reinforcing the importance of prevention, early intervention and helping people to manage their own health and wellbeing.
Overall, the JSNA concludes that Herefordshire’s key health priorities are promoting healthy ageing, improving mental wellbeing, ensuring the best start in life, reducing preventable ill-health and addressing the social and economic factors that drive inequality. Tackling the gap in outcomes between deprived and more affluent communities remains fundamental to improving health and wellbeing across the county.
In the related documents section of this page you can access the recent health-related research and analysis that we have published.