Local authorities should be empowered to create health and prosperity improvement zones modelled on clean air zones, a cross-party commission researching the interaction between health and the economy has said.
The final report by the IPPR’s Commission on Health and Prosperity describes the UK as the ‘sick man of Europe’ and estimates that 900,000 extra workers are missing from work due to sickness, which could mean £5bn in lost tax receipts in 2024.
Among its recommendations, the commission proposes the creation of health and prosperity improvement (HAPI) zones. These would give councils new powers to rebuild local health infrastructure, such as swimming pools and green spaces, in the most health-deprived areas.
IPPR’s commission, which was chaired by top surgeon Lord Ara Darzi and Professor Dame Sally Davies, former chief medical officer for England, also proposed the establishment of neighbourhood health centres which would focus on prevention.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, welcomed the report and said councils were central to achieving its ‘vision of a proactive healthcare system for the 21st century.’
He added: ‘Health goes beyond health and care services, and councils play a pivotal role in tackling the broader determinants of health through their responsibilities in areas such as housing, green spaces, youth services, and local economic development.’
Check out: Darzi review: ‘Extraordinary power in getting public health right’.
