March 16, 2021
Cheshire East ranks in the top 20 of all 149 general health councils in England in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) first official health index for England.
The county’s ranking in the report was improved significantly with the Cheshire East Council being named the ninth largest physically active council in England, as reported in the Sunday Times.
The three main categories assessed in the report were Healthy People, Healthy Lives, and Healthy Places.
The Cheshire East Overall Health and Wellbeing Index of 103.3 is 3.6 above the national index average and 5.9 above the government average for the entire Northwest. The community is on par with some of the most affluent areas in the country.
Local authority outcomes are influenced by a combination of common health outcomes such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, and other health determinants such as access to employment, education and housing.
Cheshire East’s high level of physical activity and healthy adult diets support the overall health of the district, which has ensured that the district is well positioned to meet the challenges of Covid-19.
The agency’s relatively clean air, very few areas with air pollution, small, not densely populated cities, low crime rates and relatively high green spaces have all had a positive effect on the district’s wellbeing.
Councilor Jill Rhodes, Cabinet Member for the Cheshire East Council for Public Health and Business Services, said, “The National Health Index results confirm that Cheshire East is one of the healthiest areas to live in.
“We have many health and wellness initiatives in the Cheshire East Council’s Live Well section and on the Everybody Sport and Recreation (Esar) websites. Esar, a Cheshire East Council-funded health and wellbeing charity that improves people’s lives through physical activity and healthy recreation, has 16 recreational facilities across the county. “
Esar’s Everyone At Home program offers free online, live and on-demand classes throughout the curfew as facilities remain closed. Classes are a great way to stay active and healthy.
“This is before the fitness facilities reopen on April 12th and the return of group lessons with an expected restart date on May 17th. We also have a clear focus on active cycling and hiking travel initiatives across the district. “
“While the health and general wellbeing of Cheshire East residents are very good, we recognize that there are areas where this is not the case. We continue to use our resources in these areas to make a positive difference for the people who live there. “
Dr. Matt Tyrer, Director of Public Health for Cheshire East, said, “The ONS report clearly emphasizes the importance of general health in helping individuals and the county recover from Covid-19.
“We are in a good position because of the relatively good health of the entire community and the low obesity rate. We must now make the most of it to recover from the effects of Covid-19.
“However, there is still work to be done in some areas and we are committed to supporting initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of all of our residents.”
