State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 report

The report looks at the health of Liverpool’s residents and highlights steps for improvement over the next 20 years.

State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 sets out a long-term vision for improving health across the city and reducing the differences in health between communities. 

About the report 

The report shows: 

• without action people’s health in Liverpool will get worse by 2040 
• the gap in health between the city’s healthiest and least healthy areas will grow 
• preventing illness before it starts is key 
• a need to tackle the wider health factors like poverty, poor housing, unemployment and unhealthy environments 
• action needs to be based on evidence and regular review 
• national government support is vital to help make changes locally 

• 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

Next steps

Insights from the report will focus our work across four key priorities: 

1. Delivering change
   Applying this report’s findings to start improving health immediately.
2. Working with national government  
   Securing fair funding, stronger public health policies and greater local powers. 
3. Creating a fairer and healthier city 
   Making sure every resident has the same chance at a healthy life. 
4. Using data and research 
   Applying evidence and measuring impact through the Health Determinants Research Collaborations Liverpool. 

Progress so far

In April 2026, Liverpool City Council published a Year 2 Progress Report, highlighting the progress being made across the city. You can also read progress case studies. 

Highlights include: 

• Liverpool becoming a Marmot City, recognising the city's commitment to reducing health inequalities. 
• Smoking rates falling to the national average for the first time. 
• More than £1 million invested in youth work. 
• A refreshed Good Food Plan to improve access to healthier food. 
• Continued rollout of the Neighbourhood Health Model, including a mobile breast screening unit helping to detect cancer earlier.
• Improvements in housing and homelessness support, with fewer people needing temporary accommodation and more refurbished homes.
• The launch of RIVER, Liverpool's all-age drug and alcohol service that’s already showing signs of reducing alcohol-related hospital admissions.
• Liverpool's Adult Social Care services receiving a 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission. 
• A new Women's Health Taskforce publishing its first report and holding a citywide Women's Health Conference. 
• Liverpool continuing to lead nationally on tobacco control, child poverty and creating healthier environments. 

Ongoing health challenges

Despite these successes, Liverpool still faces health inequalities: 

• healthy life expectancy is around 6 years lower than the UK average 
• a 15-year gap in life expectancy between different neighbourhoods 
• 13 fewer years of good health for a baby girl born in Kensington, Liverpool compared to one born in Kensington, London 
• smoking, alcohol-related harm and self-harm remain major challenges that need long-term effort 

Improving health inequalities takes time. There are no quick fixes, but by working together across communities, public services, businesses, the voluntary sector and national government, Liverpool can continue to build a healthier and fairer city for everyone.