Wider determinants of health
Explore data and insights on the factors that influence health and wellbeing in Liverpool.
Health is influenced by more than healthcare alone. Factors such as education, employment, income, housing, the environment and community safety all affect our opportunities to live healthy lives.
Employment and income
- 13,600 residents are estimated to be unemployed
- Third highest unemployment rate among England's Core Cities
- Nearly 1 in 5 households are workless
- Average earnings remain below the England average
What this means
Good quality work supports better physical health, mental wellbeing, financial security and social connections.
Education and opportunities
- Attainment 8 scores (measure GCSE-level achievement) are below the England average
- Educational achievement is often lower in areas facing deprivation
What this means
Education can influence employment opportunities, income and health throughout life. Supporting children to achieve their potential remains a priority.
Housing and neighbourhoods
- 53.2% of residents are in neighbourhoods ranked among the least healthy nationally
- 14.9% of households experience fuel poverty
- Higher than average rates of mortgage and landlord repossessions
What this means
Poor housing conditions can increase the risk of ill health.
Cost of living and food security
- More than half of residents live in neighbourhoods at the highest risk of food insecurity
- Rising food, energy and housing costs continue to affect many households.
What this means
Having access to affordable, nutritious food is essential for good health.
Community safety
- Liverpool experiences higher levels of violent crime than the England average
- Hundreds of residents require hospital treatment following violence each year
- More people enter the criminal justice system for the first time than the national average
What this means
Reducing violence helps create healthier and more resilient communities.
Healthy environments
- Higher density of fast-food outlets than the England average
- Access to green spaces, active travel routes and healthy environments varies across the city
What this means
Improving neighbourhood design can help support healthier lifestyles.
Road safety
- Around 243 people are killed or seriously injured on Liverpool's roads each year
- The rate of serious road accidents is above the England average
What this means
Improving road safety and encouraging safer walking and cycling are important public health priorities.
Winter health and healthy homes
- Excess winter deaths continue to occur each year
- Cold homes, respiratory illnesses and fuel poverty all contribute to poorer winter health outcomes
What this means
Supporting residents to stay warm, reduce energy costs and access help is an important part of preventing ill health.
Supporting vulnerable residents
- Adults with learning disabilities are less likely than the England average to live in stable, appropriate accommodation
- Older people experience higher rates of injury from falls than many other parts of England
What this means
Improving housing and access to support helps people live healthier, more independent lives.
What we’re doing
Liverpool City Council works with partners to improve the wider determinants of health by:
- tackling poverty and reducing health inequalities
- creating healthier neighbourhoods
- improving housing quality and energy efficiency
- supporting people into good quality employment
- helping children have the best start in life
- improving education and skills
- investing in active travel, green spaces and safer communities
- reducing violence and preventing serious harm
- supporting residents through the cost of living and fuel poverty
- delivering the goals of the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool strategy
Find support
If you need help with money, employment, housing, food, energy costs or wellbeing, Liverpool City Council and local partners offer a wide range of support.