Let’s start a healthy conversation about preventing ill health

We are living longer, which is a wonderful thing - even better if we are healthy throughout these extra years.  We need to do everything we can to look after our own health and wellbeing.

Like the rest of the country, Lincolnshire has an ageing population and people are living longer with more long term conditions, such as diabetes.

• Today, across Lincolnshire we already have the number of people living with diabetes that we expected to be looking after in 2027
• Nearly seven out of ten adults are not a healthy weight. One in three children leaving primary school are carrying excess weight
• In the east of the county people become frail ten years before individuals in other parts of the county
• Today in Gainsborough, a man’s ‘healthy life expectancy’ (that’s years of good health) is 56.9 years, which is almost 6.5 years below the national average, and 10 years before the national pension age

We all know prevention is better than cure.  It is common sense for us to look after own health as much as we possibly can.  The lifestyle choices we make can either reduce or increase our chances of getting conditions such as cancer, dementia, heart disease, depression and lung problems.  These choices are the best way to live a longer, healthier life and prevent us getting ill in the first place. 

Knowing how to live a healthier life by changing habits and lifestyle choices is the first step.  Action by the NHS is a complement to - not a substitute for - the important role of individuals, communities, government, and businesses in influencing our health. Nevertheless, every day the NHS comes into contact with people at moments in their lives that bring home the personal impact of ill health. New evidence-based prevention programmes, include those to cut smoking, to achieve

a healthy weight, prevent type 2 diabetes and to limit alcohol-related A&E admissions are all examples of ways in which we are trying to help us all live longer, healthier lifestyles.

We want to work with you to understand how we help people to maintain good health and prevent illness wherever possible. Doing this is not only best for our own health, it will also help manage the growing demand on our NHS services. Many of us are doing this every day; we want to know what you find most helpful so that we can share those tips and routes to support with others.

We want to talk with you about how the NHS can help you live a healthier life, prevent ill health, and of course improve health when we do become ill. For example, did you know that type 2 diabetes can be reversed with significant changes in diet and exercise for some people?  And even if this isn’t possible, we want to understand how we can help you manage your own conditions better.