The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces a Health Index which gives a big picture view of the nation's health. It helps show how health changes from one area to another to inform meaningful and targeted action, to reduce health inequalities and improve population health.
In collaboration with the ONS, we have used the national tool to create our own local experimental version, the Northumbria Local Health Index. It's the first Local Health Index to have been produced in the country. It will help us to look more in-depth at the health of our Northumbria population across three key domains - healthy people, healthy lives and healthy places.
The Local Health Index gives us a deeper understanding of how health differs between communities within the local authorities of Northumberland and North Tyneside. The data-driven framework will help us to tackle health inequalities in a targeted way going forward, planning healthcare improvements for areas and local communities where they are needed most.
Our Health Inequalities Programme Board has already used the National Heath Index data to inform decision-making, which led to reducing inequalities in cancer diagnosis and survival becoming a key priority.
Our partnership with ONS is helping us to shine a light on our local population's needs and to plan for better, healthier communities.
You can find out more about the Northumbria Local Health Index below.