The Current Situation
Right now, in various communities across Gwent, people are not living as long as they should. When they don’t have the things they need, like warm homes, healthy food and fair work, and are constantly worrying about making ends meet, it puts a strain on their bodies. This results in increased stress, high blood pressure, and a weaker immune system. In our least well-off neighbourhoods in Gwent, women are living just 48 years of their life in good health. The positive news is change is possible.
Working Together For a Solution
There are clear solutions alongside healthy homes, food and work, like a good education and skills, secure income, quality transport, pleasant surroundings, and supportive family, friends and communities. These are the blocks we need in place to build a healthier Gwent where everybody can live healthy, fulfilled lives. Right now, in too many of our communities, these building blocks are missing. It’s time to fix the gaps.
What is a Marmot Region?
A Marmot Region is a network of local stakeholders committed to tackling inequity through action on the social determinants of health – the social and economic conditions which shape our health. Actions are framed within eight principles:
What Does Becoming a Marmot Region Mean for Gwent?
A Message from Dr Sarah Aitken, Director of Public Health & Strategic Partnerships, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
I’m very pleased to publish my final annual report: Building a Fairer Gwent, why Gwent is a Marmot region. This report builds on my previous reports highlighting the inequalities in health across our area and the causes of those inequalities. Which is why Gwent Public Service Board have made the decision for Gwent to become a region so that we can build a fairer Gwent, by working together.
This will be my last report and it has been an absolute privilege to be the latest in a long tradition of Directors of Public Health building on the tradition started 175 years ago with the first medical officer of health in Liverpool. I wish every success to Gwent Public Service Board and to those who are going to strive together to ‘Build a Fairer Gwent.’
Who is this report for?
This report is for partners across Gwent to show the art of the possible of what organisations can do together to drive the change needed to reduce inequalities in our communities across Gwent.
To download the report, please click here: Building a Fairer Gwent: Why Gwent is a Marmot Region
Gwent Marmot Region and the Gwent Wellbeing Plan
Gwent PSB is currently developing a new five-year plan. One of the objectives in this Well-being Plan is to create a fair and equitable Gwent for all. The Marmot principles will be used as a way to frame actions to achieve this objective, and to provide a consistent, Gwent-wide approach to improving equity over the next five years. When published, the Well-being Plan will set out the steps partners will take and how we will measure improvement so that our commitments are clear and progress can be tracked.
The Marmot Principles framework supports the Gwent Public Service Board ambition for fairer and healthier lives and the goal of well-being for future generations. Enabling action for change to invest in education, jobs, good social housing, better transport, and the built environment.
Keep Up To Date
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https://www.gwentpsb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Generic-Marmot-region-programme-presentation_141222.pptx – Generic slide deck for professionals
