Public Health Liverpool

State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040

State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 was published in January 2024, using the latest data and research to paint a picture of health in the city.

It set out that unless we make changes now, health outcomes and inequalities are predicted to significantly worsen in Liverpool by 2040. The report called for immediate large scale joined up action to address the root causes of ill health and the unfair and unjust inequalities that exist, focusing partners on evidence-based tools and interventions. The report also set out key asks of national government to enable local action at the scale and pace of change that is required.  

The report was discussed at a Special Council meeting on Wednesday 17th January 2024 where it received unanimous cross-party support and the Council referred oversight of the report’s recommendations to the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) chaired by Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, committing to long-term, meaningful change. 

Read the report

  • State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040

    Download this document: State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 (PDF: 1.6 MB)

    This 80-page document, written by Professor Matt Ashton, looks at the health of Liverpool's inhabitants since 1984, and outlines the work the council, its partners and the government need to do to tackle the challenges it is projecting by 2040.

    First published: 17/01/2024

Key messages 

  1. Liverpool is facing an unprecedented health and social care crisis. The numbers of adults experiencing depression will double and there will be up to an extra 38,000 people living with major illness (at least two long term conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer, depression, diabetes, asthma, and chronic kidney disease) by 2040 unless urgent action is taken.
  2. The impact of national policies on issues such as poverty, cuts to public services, poor housing, unemployment and unhealthy lifestyles, have entrenched poor health outcomes and inequalities in the city which has a consequence for the economy through unemployment caused by ill health.
  3. The burden of this crisis is being borne unevenly, with residents in the most deprived areas experiencing the worst outcomes and this is forecasted to worsen by 2040. We need to ensure health equity and prevention, addressing the root causes of ill health, are at the heart of our approach.
  4. We need to move at pace and scale with a clear focus on evidence-based tools, data driven approaches and evaluation to ensure we are doing the right things to make the biggest impact. 
  5. Government action is needed to give local systems adequate resources and powers to improve health, alongside national policies to drive health improving environments.

Report into Action

To ensure the report translated into meaningful action work has progressed focussed on delivery against 4 cross cutting themes:  

  1. Ensure Liverpool Health 2040 is a catalyst for change.    
  2. Make the case for National Government support. Health in all policies, fair funding & greater devolved powers    
  3. Liverpool to be a Fairer and Healthier City 
  4. Ensure an ethos of evidence-based, data driven approaches and evaluation of impact.    

Progress report and case studies

A progress report and case studies were presented to Full Council on 2nd April 2025 by Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, to demonstrate progress against all four areas. 

The Health and Wellbeing Board, alongside local, regional, and national partners, have been driving forward recommendations contained within the State of the Health in the City report, by influencing a range of strategies such as the city’s new Housing Strategy, Tobacco Control Strategy, and a refreshed Physical Activity Strategy. 

The city has also advanced its commitment to data-driven decision-making in partnership with local universities, ensuring robust, evidence-informed policy, this includes the launch of the 5-year Health Determinants Research Collaborative.

Liverpool has been a vocal advocate for national policy changes, lobbying for better funding and greater local powers to address unhealthy environments and behaviours. One powerful example is Liverpool’s role in supporting the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will prevent the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2009. 

Other actions by the City Council include banning unhealthy advertising on its owned media spaces, such as products high in fat, salt, or sugar, alcohol, and gambling, and pushing for this policy to be adopted across the wider city region. 

Further key achievements from the past year include:

  • A new 0–19 Health Service for children and young people, delivered by Mersey Care, Alder Hey and wider Council services.
  • River, a new integrated addictions service for all ages, operated by the national provider Change Grow Live (CGL)
  • The launch of LivLife, a healthy weight service supporting families, children, and adults with food and physical activity.
  • A new social support service at Alder Hey, offering families broader advice and support through Health Junction and Citizens Advice.
  • Liverpool to be confirmed as a Marmot City recognising the commitment to tackling health inequalities using evidence-based principles.
  • We know meaningful, long-term change takes time and there are no quick fixes when it comes to tackling deep-rooted health inequalities. However, by maintaining momentum, working in partnerships across the system, and holding ourselves to account, we can and will continue to build a healthier and fairer city for everyone.  This is about creating lasting change that will benefit future generations, not just short-term improvements. Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture
  • The Liverpool Health 2040 report struck a chord with all of us. It laid bare the urgent need to act and challenged us to think differently about how we address health inequalities. I am really pleased with our progress over the last 12 months. However, we must continue to embed this approach into our strategies and actions at every level, ensuring that health equity is not just a goal, but a core principle shaping the future of our city. Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool's Director of Public Health