An overview of the KJSA

At the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 22 November 2018, the 2018/19 Kirklees overview KJSA section was approved for publication. The overview uses the latest available data to provide an updated summary of the key messages found elsewhere in the KJSA, and represents a great starting point for people’s journeys into the more detailed sections. For those limited on time, the overview will quickly get you up to speed on current issues and opportunities relating to the health and wellbeing of the Kirklees population. 

This year’s overview adopts the asset-based approach found throughout the KJSA. It showcases new sources of intelligence and major pieces of work completed over the last 12 months, such as the Director of Public Health’s 2017/18 Annual Report on healthy ageing and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Needs Assessment. As ever, the overview has a strong emphasis on health inequalities. Where appropriate, the overview highlights where Kirklees stands out from our regional neighbours or the national average. 

Councillor Musarrat Khan, portfolio holder for health and social care at Kirklees Council, said this about the Kirklees overview:
“This year’s overview helps people to understand the importance of health inequalities and the wider social determinants of health, as well as highlighting the local assets and activities we have in Kirklees that are contributing to reducing inequalities and improved health outcomes.”

 

Air Quality in Kirklees

Did you know that poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK? And that in Kirklees, 1 in 20 deaths are attributable to air pollution?

The new Air Quality section  of the KJSA has just been published, which looks at the impact of air pollution across Kirklees.

Clean air is one of the most basic requirements of a healthy environment. Exposure to high levels of air pollution has both short and long-term effects on health, and certain vulnerable groups are more at risk of these health impacts.

However, there are many initiatives to reduce the risks and impacts of air pollution – from utilising zero and low emissions technology, to people walking and cycling more instead of driving.

As individuals, there’s actually lots we can do to reduce and avoid air pollution:

• Walking
  Walking short journeys instead of using the car is a good way to reduce car emissions and improve health. There are a range of walking opportunities available in Kirklees. Click here for more information.
• Cycling
  There are a range of cycling opportunities available in Kirklees. For more information click here.
• Public transport
  Using public transport instead of the car is one way to improve air quality. You can find your best journey options here.
• Consider an electric vehicle or a hybrid
  Road traffic is the single biggest cause of air pollution, with diesel vehicles accounting for most of this. If possible, driving an efficient low polluting vehicle e.g. electric/hybrid can help improve air quality.
• Switch your engine off when stationary
  If you’re not moving and it’s safe to do so, turning your engine off helps make the air cleaner for you, other drivers and pedestrians.
• Service your car and keep the tyres properly inflated
  Your car will be more efficient and cleaner, saving you money, using less fuel, and producing less pollution.
• Boilers
  Ensure that boilers are serviced regularly and kept in good working order. If a boiler needs replacing then purchase one that has a low NOx emission rating. Make your house more energy efficient so that you need to use your boiler less to heat your home. Find out more information here. 
• Limit your use of wood-burning stoves
  Wood burning stoves are not good for the environment or your or your children’s health, so please think twice before buying one. If you do have one, make sure you use only dry wood and it is a DEFRA exempted eco design stove, use authorised fuel, and only light it if you really, really have to!

 

Wendy Blakeley – Head of Public Protection