Key Priorities

Partners in the Health and Wellbeing Group have agreed a number of important issues for the Winchester District which they will work towards addressing.  These areas are listed below and you can find out more on what is being done to tackle them in the document on the right.

Obesity

Poor diet, lack of exercise and less active lifestyles mean that many more people have serious weight problems than in the past.  Being overweight leads to poor health by increasing the risk of suffering major illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

Unless we stop this trend future generations of children will die at an earlier age than their parents.  Exercise can help combat obesity and its associated problems and can reduce the chances of suffering from illnesses such as stroke, dementia, diabetes, arthritis and other serious conditions.

Smoking

Smoking accounts for approximately 150 deaths due to cancers of the lung, colo-rectum and prostate and pneumonia and aortic aneurysmin the Winchester District every year.  A major risk factor in infant deaths is low birth weight, which can be linked to smoking during pregnancy.

Teenage Pregnancy

Too many young people still have their lives blighted by the effects unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections that can result in lifelong health problems, including infertility.

In Winchester, up to one in ten young people aged under 25 may be infected with Chlamydia, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.  Although the rate of teenage pregnancy in the District is one of the lowest in Hampshire, it is still an area of concern for the partnership.

Mental health and wellbeing

Mental Illness, depression and other stress-related conditions are now the most common cause of sickness absence, and also are a common cause of social exclusion among older people.

Housing

Despite the District’s outward appearance of affluence, there is considerable housing need throughout the area.  Deprivation and poor access to services can be found in rural parts of the district and socially excluded groups live in all forms of tenure.

A serious homelessness problem also exists and the affordability situation is such that owner occupation and forms of part ownership is also difficult to achieve.  The growing elderly population, many of whom aspire to live independently, is causing under-usage of sheltered housing units.

Older People

The age profile of the District is increasing steadily and population estimates show that by 2121 the percentage of older people in the District will be higher than the national average.  Nationally and locally we have a responsibility to recognise this trend and to address the increasing role of older people in our communities

Substance Misuse (including alcohol) 

Too many people still have their lives blighted by the effects of drugs and/or alcohol that can result in lifelong health problems, including mental health disorders.  Around 150,000 hospital admissions each year are associated with alcohol misuse, and many young people are taking increased risks by binge drinking.  In Winchester, there is an increase in deaths from chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis.