Life expectancy in Barnsley remains well below the national average and varies greatly between different parts of the borough. Moreover, the gap between Barnsley and the rest of the country has widened over the 1990’s. Such health inequalities challenge not just the health and social services but every one interested in the future prosperity and well-being of the borough. It is unacceptable that people’s health and quality of life varies so much with the sort of work they do or where they live.

The cost of health inequalities is borne not just by health and social care services and, of course, parents, carers and children, but by employers and the local economy. Good health is essential to the borough’s economic regeneration. Healthy people are less likely to be socially excluded and more likely to be in work. Healthy children are more likely to do well in school.

Fit for the Future sets out a borough wide strategy to tackle health inequalities, addressing both the short term consequences of ill health and the longer term causes. In so doing it will contribute to all aspects of the borough’s economic and social regeneration, from social inclusion to neighbourhood renewal and wealth creation.

Fit for the Future will not only ensure services work together in an integrated way but, most important, empower individuals and communities so that they are fully engaged in planning and implementing interventions to improve their health. Only by harnessing the energy, experience and commitment of the whole community – public bodies, schools and colleges, companies, community and voluntary organisations and, above all, parents and families – can effective solutions be found to significantly reduce health inequalities in this generation and the next.

The list below shows some of the reasons why Fit for the Future is so important for Barnsley’s Future.

1. A boy born in the most disadvantaged ward in Barnsley can expect to live 9 years less than a boy born in a well off ward in South Yorkshire.
2. In England, dental health for 5 year olds is getting better, in Barnsley, it is getting worse. The average for Barnsley is 2 ½ decayed, missing or filled teeth compared with 1 ½ in England.
3. Coronary heart disease, stroke and related diseases kill more people than any other diseases and account for over a third of premature deaths in Barnsley.
4. Cancer is the second most common cause of death and accounts for 35% of premature deaths in Barnsley.

One in four of the Barnsley population report a limiting long term illness, health problem or diability which limits their daily activities or the work they can do, the 4th highest figure in England.