Greater Manchester Health Commission
Welcome to the Greater Manchester Health Commission Website
The Greater Manchester Health Commission is the formal partnership made up of leading representatives from Greater Manchester's Councils, NHS Trusts, and the Higher Education Sector, who are working together to secure improved health and tackle health inequalities in the region.
The Greater Manchester Health Commission’s vision is of a Greater Manchester with improved life expectancy, health, and well-being, and reduced inequalities
Greater Manchester has some of the worst life expectancy and health outcomes in the country. The Greater Manchester Health Commission aims to provide the leadership to tackle these challenges.
Latest News Releases
Greater Manchester Health Commission To Raise Awareness Of Transfats
17 July 2010
The Greater Manchester Health Commission wants to raise awareness of the dangers of transfats.
To recognise the importance of the issue, the Commission is putting together an information programme on the subject.
Transfats are artificial fats found in processed foods such as biscuits, cakes and fast food that can be damaging to people's health and are already banned in some countries, including Denmark and Switzerland.
Councillor Cliff Morris, Chair of the Greater Manchester Health Commission, said: "It's vital that people have the right information to make their own decisions about what they eat and drink. Unlike other dietary fats, transfats are not essential and can increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease, yet they do not always know which foods contain them. "People need to know what they are eating to help them to look after their own health. This would be an important step towards helping to improve the health of Greater Manchester's 2.5 million residents."
Health Commission To Continue Fight Against Health Inequalities
05 July 2010
The Greater Manchester Health Commission welcomes the news that the debate on health inequalities has been reignited with the publication of a National Audit Office report on the issue.
The report says that life expectancy in rich and poor areas is widening. Life expectancy in England is now 77.9 years for men and 82 years for women but in poor areas this falls to 75.8 and 80.4 years respectively. This means that from 1995-97 to 2006-08 the life expectancy gap grew by 7% for men and 14% for women.
Greater Manchester has some of the worst life expectancy and health inequalities in the country. And the Greater Manchester Health Commission is now providing the leadership - with some progress already made on improving life expectancy in the city region - to tackle these challenges.
Greater Manchester Health Commission Chair, Councillor Cliff Morris, said:“The national problem of health inequalities is particularly acute in Greater Manchester and we are determined get to grips with the problem.
“We’re committed to improving the lives of the two million people in Greater Manchester, and the current health problems that exist across the city region are simply unacceptable. The things that impact on both how long someone lives and the quality of a person’s health include issues such as obesity, alcohol, tobacco and wider factors including opportunities to work. These are precisely the points being picked up by the Greater Manchester Health Commission, and we welcome the fact that this key issue is being raised again.”
| Ian Ratcliffe |
| Stockport Council’s Marketing & Communications Unit |
| 0161 474 3059 |
| ian.ratcliffe@stockport.gov.uk |
| Paul Kendal |
| Stockport Council’s Marketing & Communications Unit |
| 0161 474 3114 |
| paul.kendal@stockport.gov.uk |
| Alison North |
| Stockport Council's Marketing & Communications Unit |
| 0161 474 3068 |
| alison.north@stockport.gov.uk |
