Delegates at the first Coastal Navigators Network (CNN) national Healthy Ageing Summit, chaired by Ed Garratt, were told that long standing issues went beyond health.
Dr Jon Bashford from Breaking Barriers Innovations, who has been working with NHS England and England’s Chief Medical Officer, said housing, infrastructure, employment and better use of technology could help people to stay healthy for longer.
He said: “Coastal regions face unique challenges which are different to those faced by inland towns or rural areas.
“One of the most pressing being their rapidly ageing populations.
“The data show a worrying trend that people in coastal towns not only have lower life expectancy but more of them spend up to a decade longer in poor health compared with their inland neighbours.
“Reducing isolation and increasing employment opportunities are key to the agenda of healthy ageing.
“We should also make better use of the latest advancements in digital to support people in coastal areas from becoming ill in the first place.”
The event was co-organised and sponsored by the University of Essex’s Centre for Coastal Communities.
Its Director – Dr Emily T Murray – explained: “Active partnership is what turns research into change. The Centre for Coastal Communities looks forward to working alongside CNN members to translate evidence into practical solutions for healthier coastal places, lives and systems.”
The summit had three main themes to the day:
- Healthy Places: Looking at housing, digital access, and infrastructure to create accessible neighbourhoods.
- Healthy Lives: Supporting mental wellbeing, carer support, and participation to reduce loneliness and increase independence.
- Healthy Systems: Transforming care through technology and integrated neighbourhood teams.
Professor Bola Owolabi CBE, CNN Co-founder and ambassador, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the coastal navigator network is going from strength to strength.
“I’m just thinking about how we go from the rhetoric to what needs to be different.
“How do we go from the eternal analysis of coastal inequalities to actual action to make things different.
“And how do we translate the plethora of policies we’ve already got to actual action on the ground.
“If I reflect on those early days to where the CNN is now with 19 coastal ICBs involved, it is just extraordinary and phenomenal work, and I want to congratulate my colleagues who have been involved with this.”
Professor Owolabi added: “The reality is that coastal health inequalities are of a particular kind. They tend to be hidden, not well understood but also professionals tried to solve challenges in silos, when in fact there are common themes.”
Nic Werran, Director at Breaking Barriers Innovations, said: “We were truly honoured to have been joined by several senior leaders from the CNN, the University of Essex’s Centre for Coastal Communities and representatives from central government.
“Our work is going from strength to strength with more coastal areas joining our network to support our work.
“Over the past year our group has grown from six coastal sites to 19 which is extremely positive.
“This will help other parts of the country to reach our goal – realising a healthy ageing model where everyone on the coast can live a longer life in better health.”