Narrowing the gap by tackling health inequalities through concerted partnership working will provide added value. Joint service planning and integrated commissioning will enable more effective prevention by encouraging physical activity, tackling obesity levels, promoting good diet and providing improvements to housing.
There are significant differences in life expectancy between different groups and communities across Nottinghamshire. More specifically, there are significant inequalities in health experiences and outcomes. Average life expectancy in Nottinghamshire ranges between 80.7 years in Rushcliffe and 77.6 years in Ashfield.
The need to retain an emphasis on improving the sexual health of teenagers, and in particular, reducing teenage conceptions in the new Local Area Agreement (LAA) is critical because of the clear association between teenage pregnancy and social exclusion, deprivation and poor educational attainment.
Unprotected sex has serious implications for teenagers in Nottinghamshire, in terms of experiencing unplanned pregnancies and/or contracting sexually transmitted infections.
Tackling teenage conceptions in a partnership approach has proven potential. Demonstrated gains have been made as a result of including this as a stretch target in existing LAA arrangements. Recent achievements in this area include:
- the recruitment of a sex and relationship education adviser to work with individuals/groups of young people assessed to be at high risk of teenage pregnancy
- the commissioning of additional sessions of health professionals and youth workers to work on the hot spot areas and with those most at risk
- the agreement of plans by the Teenage Pregnancy Board.
