Health

Our health is crucial to our quality of life. The difference in life expectancy between affluent and deprived areas can be more than ten years, even for adjacent neighbourhoods. This health inequality is partly due to lifestyle, including smoking, diet, alcohol and exercise, but the quality of housing has a sizeable impact, as does the local environment, which might include opportunities for exercise, air quality and noise level. Looking forward, we want to help communities create neighbourhoods that allow people to pursue healthy lifestyles.

An icon of 2 buildings side by side. One building is taller than the other

2A) Housing

Well-designed and built homes with adequate space, that can adapt to the changing needs of their occupants, for example to allow home working or changes in family circumstances.

A photo of new, modern-looking homes, looking out over a river. Blue skies in the background
Families playing outside at Kings Crescent, London
An icon of a cloud

2B) Air Quality

Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK. Healthy places where planting is abundant and where people can walk and cycle positively impacts air quality.

An icon of four different sports balls (rugby ball, football and two tennis balls)

2C) Recreation

Places nearby for exercise: cycling, walking and playing sport

A lot of people say in the sun in a park with a lake next to it