Healthy Lives, Healthy People

The government have highlighted Well-being as the key area to improve the state of The Nations’ health.

“Healthy  Lives, Healthy People” outlines several key areas that involve the employers taking more of an active role.


Why are the Government involved?

  • Smoking related deaths cost NHS £2.7b each year
  • Obesity-related conditions cost estimated £4.2b each year
  • Reducing work-related ill-health could save UK up to £100billion each year – around the size of the entire NHS budget
  • 172million working days lost in 2007 – costing economy over £13billion
  • In 2009, 9.8million days lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety alone


What are they intending to do about it?

  • £135m Lottery investment in a Mass Participation & Community Sport legacy programme 
  • Ring-fenced public health funding from with the overall NHS budget  - estimated to be around £4billion spend
  • Work to influence the Public, Private and Voluntary sectors. 

So, what will happen?

  • Working with employers to unleash their potential as champions of public health
  • Businesses must take more responsibility for the impact of their practices on people’s health and wellbeing. 
  • Employers from all sectors should look to support the health and wellbeing of their staff
  • Employers will be encouraged to work with only accredited occupational health service providers, and seek preventative interventions

Need more?

  • “Fit Note” - allows your doctor to provide you with more information on how your condition affects your ability to work 
  • “Fit for Work Service” - advice on tackling the causes of non-work related stress; occupational health support; planning a manageable return to work .
  • “Change 4 Life” - Eat Well, Move More, Live Longer
  • “Workplace Wellbeing Tool” -  FREE online resource designed to help you to improve the health and well-being of people in your organisation