The City of Wolverhampton Council is supporting the new One You campaign launched by Public Health England today (Monday 7 March, 2016) which seeks to help people avoid illness caused by modern day life.
It comes on the back of research showing that everyday habits and behaviours, such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking more than is recommended, continuing to smoke and not being active enough, are responsible for around 40% of all deaths in England - and cost the NHS more than £11bn billion a year.
It is estimated that 70% of adults in Wolverhampton are either overweight or obese, compared to 65% of men and 64% of women across the West Midlands, with obesity a contributing factor to more than 45,000 hospital admissions in the region in 2013 to 2014.
Drinking is another area for concern, with nearly 38,000 hospital admissions in the West Midlands in 2013 to 2014 alcohol related. Meanwhile 17% of adults in the region smoke, leading to 52,500 hospital admissions in 2013 to 2014.
While life expectancy at older ages is at record levels, many people are spending their retirement in ill health. Studies show that living healthily in middle age can double someone's chances of being healthy when they are 70, so the One You campaign is seeking to help adults - particularly those aged 40 plus - to move more, eat well, drink less and be smoke free.
People are encouraged to start their journey to better health by taking a short online health quiz, How Are You, which provides personalised recommendations based on their answers and offers advice on what action they should take.
Councillor Sandra Samuels, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The new One You campaign will have a fantastic impact on the wellbeing of people in Wolverhampton and around the country.
"I'd urge anyone who wants to improve their health to take this opportunity to look at their lifestyle - remember, it's never too late because there's only One You.
"If people do want to make lifestyle changes, small or large, the good news is that there is plenty of support available locally to help them do just that, not least from Wolverhampton's Healthy Lifestyles team, who offer free help and support to anyone who wants to increase their physical activity levels, eat more healthily, drink less alcohol, stop smoking and reach a healthy weight.
"The team's Health Trainers will carry out a health check to look at what may be affecting a person's health, and then provide motivation and one-to-one support to help them achieve their goals, no matter how big or small.
"Modern day life makes it hard for people to live healthily, with bigger portions and unhealthy snacks readily available and a desk-bound job or sitting down during a long commute restricting chances for exercise.
"The One You campaign is asking people to reappraise their lifestyle choices, put themselves first and do something about their own health before it's too late.
"If people make a conscious effort to eat more healthily, move more, drink within healthy limits and try to give up smoking, they can avoid a variety of health problems including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, lung conditions, strokes and cancer."
For more information about the help available from the Healthy Lifestyles Team, please call 0800 073 4242 or 01902 444246, email rwh-tr.healthy-lifestyles@nhs.net or visit Type=links;Linkid=7033;Title=NHS UK - Your Health;Target=_blank;.
For more information about One You and to take the How Are You quiz, please visit Type=links;Linkid=7034;Title=One You;Target=_blank;.
Councillor Samuels added: "The City of Wolverhampton Council played its part in the shaping of the national campaign through social marketing workshops with Public Health England, and I'd like to thank our Public Health team for their good work."
- released: Monday 7 March, 2016