New North West of England Report offers insight into health attitudes of harder to reach populations

Whilst respondents were able to recognise specific NHS services, such as diagnosing illnesses and dispensing medicines, many were unaware of the support services that the NHS can offer to help tackle lifestyle health issues. More specifically, respondents do not consider the NHS a primary source of help for lifestyle conditions such as obesity and smoking.

Worryingly, the report suggests that respondents have an unrealistic perception of their own health: 26% of people surveyed were clinically obese (with a BMI of over 30), yet only 7% of this group recognised that they were overweight. Similarly, as few as 6% of people surveyed thought they were binge drinkers, whereas the reality was 40%.

Further findings from the research included the statistic that over half of the people surveyed (52%) admitting to only being aware of a personal health issue at the point of diagnosis from their doctor, thus emphasising the need for awareness raising and preventative services.

Mike Farrar, chief executive of NHS North West, said: “There are 3,500 preventable deaths in our region each year, caused by unhealthy lifestyles. We need to be much bolder in targeting the unacceptable health inequalities, which result in many people living in poor health and with shorter life expectancies than those in other areas of the country. This research and the recommendations contained in the report will be extremely valuable in guiding the provision and delivery of NHS services in the North West and will help us to create a more preventative and people-centred service.”

The report, Reaching Out: Understanding the health attitudes of harder to reach groups in the North West, is the result of face-to-face research commissioned by NHS North West, Our Life and Pfizer Limited.

Please click here to access the full report.

For more information please contact: andy.walker@ourlife.org.uk.

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