Liverpool City Council has officially been awarded Marmot City status, a national recognition of the city’s commitment to reducing health inequalities and improving wellbeing for every resident.
The status was formally awarded by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, a leading figure in health equity, during a visit to the city on 23 April.
Sir Michael visited Liverpool to highlight the city’s efforts to address the root causes of poor health including poverty, poor housing, low-paid and unstable employment, and unequal access to education.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing said:
“Being recognised as a Marmot City reinforces our determination to build a Liverpool where every resident can thrive.
“It places health and equity at the centre of our future, ensuring that the next generation of children and young people grow up in a city where wellbeing is prioritised, and prevention is embedded into everything we do.
Professor Matt Ashton Director of Public Health said:
“This recognition is a proud moment as becoming a Marmot City confirms our commitment to health equity not just in policy, but in people’s everyday lives.
“We are expanding our focus to cover all eight Marmot principles, embedding community voices at the heart of decision-making, and driving change that is led by evidence and grounded in the lived experiences of our residents.”
These wider issues have a significant impact on how long people live and how healthy they are throughout their lives.
The city’s Marmot City ambitions are also informed by the findings of The State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 a landmark report that highlighted Liverpool’s deep-rooted health inequalities and showcased the innovative work already underway to address them.
Currently, people in Liverpool are living shorter lives and spending more time in poor health compared to the national average.
In some areas, life expectancy is up to 15 years lower, and residents may experience up to 18 more years of ill health than those in more affluent neighbourhoods.
To respond to these challenges, Liverpool has developed a coordinated approach through the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool (FHL) Partnership a collaboration between the City Council, NHS, voluntary and community organisations, and other key partners.
Together working to:
- Take action across the Marmot Eight Principles
- Strengthen local partnerships
- Involve communities in shaping solutions
- Take early action to prevent poor health
- Embed fairness and health into all policies and services
Examples of the work already underway include the development of Liverpool’s ‘Health in All Policies’ approach, which ensures health is embedded into decisions around planning, housing, and regeneration.
Additionally, the Healthy Boost Project, supports local families by providing fruit and vegetable vouchers helping to improve diets, access to healthy food, mental health, and overall wellbeing
For more information and further examples of the work taking place, visit the dedicated website: www.fairerhealthierliverpool.org