Health and Wellbeing Ambition

Background to our Ambition

Leeds has strong foundations to deliver excellent health and wellbeing, with a track record of health innovation, well-established system leadership, and assets like parks and green spaces which provide people with the opportunity to lead healthy lives. However, systemic social, economic and environmental inequalities mean that the benefits of these assets are not fairly distributed, with people in the most disadvantaged parts of the city facing poorer health and wellbeing outcomes - inequalities that have been laid bare by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the impact of wider determinants on health, including housing, education, transport and connectivity, quality employment and safe, strong communities, addressing these determinants is vital in achieving our goal of improving the health of those experiencing poverty the fastest.

The collective response to the pandemic in Leeds showcased the vibrant network of community-based social infrastructure we have - the people, groups and organisations who kept people fed, connected and well throughout the pandemic. Relationships across this network have strengthened through considerable learning that took place during the pandemic, although there is further to go. Continuing to strengthen our social infrastructure, ensuring that it is funded, supported and sustainable, will be essential to tackle the deep-rooted systemic inequalities that shape peoples’ ability to lead healthy lives.

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