Health improvement initiatives
Learn about initiatives that aim to tackle health inequalities, prevent illness and support residents to live longer, healthier lives.
Reducing gambling harms
Research has shown that gambling-related harm in Liverpool is higher than national estimates. Our Reducing Gambling Harms Action Plan focuses on raising awareness, strengthening evidence, improving access to support and reducing exposure to gambling harm.
-
Reducing Gambling Harm in Liverpool: Strategic Action Plan 2026-2029
Download this document: Reducing Gambling Harm in Liverpool: Strategic Action Plan 2026-2029 (PDF: 2.5 MB)
This action plan will embed gambling harm prevention across the wider determinants of health through the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool approach, integrating this work with efforts on housing, employment, education, and financial wellbeing to create lasting change.
First published: 9/03/2026
Where to get support and advice:
- Live Your Life Well - Gambling harms: advice and signposting to support services
- Chapter One: information and support for everyone affected by gambling
- NHS Northern Gambling Service: provides addiction therapies and treatment
Dementia prevention and support
Dementia is one of Liverpool’s biggest health and care challenges. Delivered collaboratively, Liverpool's Dementia Strategic Action Plan focuses on five priority areas: prevention, timely diagnosis, support, helping residents to live meaningful lives and compassionate end-of-life care.
-
Dementia Strategic Action Plan 2026–2029
Download this document: Dementia Strategic Action Plan 2026–2029 (PDF: 421 KB)
Where to get support and advice:
- Live Your Life Well – Age well: general health and wellbeing advice for older people
- NHS Dementia Services: information and support for those affected and their carers
- Dementia Action Liverpool: information about dementia services in the area
Eliminating HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis
Through the Fast Track Cities+ commitment, Liverpool is working towards a future where HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis are no longer public health threats. By 2030, we aim to eliminate new HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis infections, increase testing and improve access to treatment and care.
Where to get support and advice:
- Live Your Life Well – Sexual health: sexual health information, signposting and advice
- Axess Sexual Health: Liverpool’s free sexual health service offering testing, advice and treatment
Tobacco control
Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and illness in Liverpool. The Liverpool Tobacco Control Strategy aims to reduce adult smoking rates to below 5% by 2030 and help create Liverpool's first smokefree generation. It prioritises six areas: awareness, prevention, cessation, smokefree environments, illegal sales and national policy.
-
Liverpool Tobacco Control Strategy 2024-2030
Download this document: Liverpool Tobacco Control Strategy 2024-2030 (PDF: 10 MB)
This strategy sets out our aim for Liverpool to become a smokefree city in which our communities live longer, healthier and happier lives.
First published: 18/06/2024
Last updated: 24/07/2024
Where to get support and advice:
- Live Your Life Well – Stop smoking: information and signposting for help to stop smoking
- Smokefree Liverpool: personalised quit plans, expert advice and one-to-one support
Reducing ketamine harms
We are working with partners to reduce ketamine harms and ensure people can get help early before problems escalate. The Reducing Ketamine Harms Action Plan prioritises these areas: prevention and awareness, youth outreach, schools, treatment, enforcement and safeguarding, and data and evaluation.
-
Reducing Ketamine Harms in Liverpool: Strategic Action Plan 2026-2029
Download this document: Reducing Ketamine Harms in Liverpool: Strategic Action Plan 2026-2029 (PDF: 2.7 MB)
This action plan is our collective response to the city’s growing concern over ketamine use and harm, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
First published: 9/03/2026
Where to get support and advice:
- River - Liverpool Drug and Alcohol Support Services: provides free, confidential support for people affected by ketamine or other drugs
- Lifeboat Recovery Community Hub: offers peer support groups to share experiences
Sexual and reproductive health and HIV
Liverpool is committed to ensuring everyone can access high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, information and support. Our priorities are reducing sexually transmitted infections, improving reproductive health and reducing unintended pregnancies. We're also aiming to end new HIV transmissions by 2030, reduce inequalities and improve access to services.
Where to get support and advice:
- Live Your Life Well – Sexual health: sexual health information, signposting and advice
- Axess Sexual Health: Liverpool’s free sexual health service offering testing, advice and treatment
- Sahir House: specialist HIV treatment, prevention, outreach and community support
- Women’s Health Hubs: access to reproductive healthcare, contraception and support
Women’s health
The Liverpool Women's Health Report highlights the challenges facing women and girls and sets out opportunities for improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities. The key drivers of women’s health are poverty and financial instability, caring responsibilities, violence against women, and mental health and wellbeing.
-
Health of Women in Liverpool Report
Download this document: Health of Women in Liverpool Report (PDF: 8.9 MB)
Where to get support and advice:
- Live Your Life Well – Women’s health: health and wellbeing information, and signposting to services
- Women’s Health Hubs: access to reproductive healthcare, contraception and support