Health overview

The World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Health is determined by a complex interaction between individual characteristics, lifestyle, and the physical, social and economic environment. Most experts agree that these wider determinants of health and our health behaviours are more important than health care in ensuring a healthy population.¹ These pages provide a local insight into the health and wellbeing needs of Lancashire residents.

Every year, key issues for health, wellbeing, social care and the wider determinants of health in the Lancashire-12 area are identified and compiled into the JSNA annual commentary.

The health of people in the Lancashire-12 area varies when compared to England. Approximately 25% (57,320) children (under the age of 16 years) live in low income families. Life expectancy for both men and women is significantly lower than the England rate.

Within the county there are wide differences between the most and least deprived areas. For example, in the most deprived areas life expectancy at birth for men is 11.8 years lower and 9.1 years lower for women, when compared to the least deprived areas (2022-24). These inequalities can often begin in childhood and the health of children and young people is of paramount importance; ensuring healthy development into adulthood is vital.

The infant mortality rate in the Lancashire-12 area has levelled and now remains similar to the England rate (2022-24). The evidence shows that in the Lancashire-12 area the rates of overweight and obese children vary compared to England. For children in reception, the proportion of overweight or obese children is significantly higher than the England rate (25.7% and 23.5% respectively). For year six children, the proportion in the Lancashire-12 area (36.6%) is similar to the England rate (36.2%) (2024/25). Issues around unintentional and deliberate injuries and hospital admissions for children and young people are still evident in the Lancashire-12 area, with the rate of hospital admissions caused by unintentional injuries in 0 to 4 and 0 to 14 year olds significantly higher than the England rate (2024/25). Levels of teenage conceptions (2022), smoking at time of delivery (2024/25) and the percentage of 5 year olds with experience of visually obvious dental decay (2023/24) are all significantly higher than the England rate.

The health of adults in the county is mixed with under 75 mortality rate from all causes preventable (2022-24) and under 75 mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases (2023-25) significantly higher than the England rate. Estimated levels of excess weight in adults are significantly higher than the England rate (68.6% and 64.6% respectively, 2024/25). The recent trend shows an increase in the estimated percentage of adults classified as overweight or obese, which is in line with the national trend. Estimated levels of physical activity in adults are similar to the England rate (2024/25) and increasing, which can be beneficial for health.

There are issues around mental health and wellbeing, with the prevalence of GP diagnosed depression significantly higher than the England rate (2024/25) and the rate of new referrals to secondary mental health services also significantly higher than the England rate (2023/24). Suicide rate in the Lancashire-12 area remains significantly higher than the England rate (2022-24) and the rate of hospital admissions as a result of self-harm in children and young people aged 10-24 years is also significantly higher than the England rate (2023/24).

Adult social care is an important function of the county council, particularly with the expected rise in the older population. There are many factors which can influence whether an individual accesses social care including living arrangements and health status. In the Lancashire-12 area the number of persons aged 65 and over living alone is predicted to rise from around 83,000 in 2025 to approximately 103,000 in 2035. Compared to England, in the Lancashire-12 area there is a higher percentage of people providing unpaid care. 

The Lancashire-12 area continues to face challenges to address the inequalities in health and wellbeing. The recent report from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) 'Overcoming health inequalities in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods' (January 2022) has further details.

For more information please also see our 2025/26 JSNA annual commentary.

 1. World Health Organisation. Determinants of Health 4 October 2024.

Page updated September 2026