Introduction
Wolverhampton, which is situated in the West Midlands area of England, is known for its post-industrial history, friendly citizens, and high-quality health care. The town is also referred to as Wulfrun, which means “the settlement of the wolf.” In the past, it was an important town in England and had a rich history. It was founded by Wulfrun, born around 860 AD in ENGLAND. She married Aethelred II and became Queen Regent after he died in 924 AD until 939 AD when her son Edward ascended to the throne at ten.
Demographic Profile of Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton has a population of around 240,000 and 48% of its population is female and 52% male (World Health Organization, 2020). Wolverhampton’s population is predominantly white British people at 96% (World Health Organization, 2020). The 2011 census showed that 95% of Wolverhampton’s residents identified as Christian, with 2% as Muslim or Sikh and 3% with no religion (World Health Organization, 2020). The town has an average life expectancy of 78 years for females and 72 years for males (World Health Organization, 2020). The mortality rate is also high since there were about 776 deaths recorded in 2010/11 (World Health Organization, 2020). Unemployment rates are also high, with around 3% unemployed during the same period (World Health Organization, 2020). Poverty rates are also high at around 21%, with over 20% living below the poverty line (World Health Organization, 2020). The majority of Wolverhampton residents are between 30 and 49 years old; only 12% of residents are under 20 years old (World Health Organization, 2020). According to WHO (2020), most people live in owner-occupied housing (66%), while 33% rent their homes from private landlords or local authorities.
Health Issue in Wolverhampton
The main health issue affecting Wolverhampton residents is obesity. According to recent Public Health England (PHE) statistics, 58% of adults living in the town are overweight or obese (World Health Organization, 2020). This is significantly higher than the national prevalence rate of 19% but not as bad as some other towns in the area—for example; Sandwell has an obesity rate of 31% (World Health Organization, 2020). This means they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 30 kg/m2, considered overweight (World Health Organization, 2020). The prevalence of obesity among children aged 5-15 living in Wolverhampton was 31%, according to 2016 figures from PHE2 (World Health Organization, 2020). This equates to approximately 26,800 children at risk for health issues due to being overweight or obese (World Health Organization, 2020).
Health Inequalities in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton’s most common health inequality is socioeconomic deprivation. The Marmot Review found that socioeconomic deprivation affects health outcomes more than any other factor, including smoking and obesity rates (World Health Organization, 2020). In Wolverhampton, socioeconomic health inequality has a direct impact on obesity (World Health Organization, 2020). Wolverhampton has a high level of socioeconomic deprivation. This can be explained by the social determinants of health, including obesity, poverty, and unemployment. Obesity is a major contributor to high disease, disability, and premature death rates.
Social Determinants of Health
This town’s social determinants of health are obesity, poverty, and unemployment. Obesity affects many residents in Wolverhampton. Poverty plays a role in determining how healthy people feel about themselves physically because it affects their ability to afford quality foods for themselves and their families (Weihrauch-Blüher and Wiegand, 2018). This leads them to eat cheaper but less nutritious options such as fast food, which leads them to gain weight. Unemployment rates stand at 10%, meaning many residents do not have adequate access to healthcare or other necessities (Weihrauch-Blüher and Wiegand, 2018). Poverty is a determinant that is mostly related to obesity.
Policy Issues Relating to Wolverhampton
The policy to increase the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages aims at reducing obesity in this town. The National Health Service plans to implement a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, raising the cost of these products and reducing consumption. The plan is part of a larger initiative to reduce childhood obesity and improve health outcomes for all residents of Wolverhampton. The policy would affect all soft drinks that contain added sugar, including soda and fruit juices. It would not apply to diet sodas or 100% fruit juice (Omer, 2020). In addition, it wouldn’t cover any drinks with more than 50% milk or more than 50% vegetable juice content.
Other Policies
A policy is a set of principles, standards, or guidelines formulated and adopted by an organization or government to accomplish a specific goal. This town has specific programs designed for children and teenagers who may be overweight or obese to learn how to live healthier lifestyles early. These programs include nutrition education classes, as well as physical activity lessons like swimming lessons or gym classes at school gymnasiums located within each district’s boundaries.
This town has a policy program that involves educating residents about what obesity is and how it affects their health and well-being. They use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to spread awareness about obesity issues throughout the town (Mulderrig, 2020). They also help by offering seminars on nutrition and exercise at local schools so students can learn about healthy habits early on in life.
The obesity policies have directly focused on the health issue and consider the wider determinants of health, including physical, social, and economic factors. This is because these factors can influence obesity levels among people living in Wolverhampton. For example, some factors include poor access to healthy foods and exercise opportunities (Millington, 2020). However, previous authors argue that these wider determinants do not fully explain why some people are more likely to be obese than others.
Public Health Provisions in Wolverhampton Borough
To help improve health outcomes for residents, there are several public health programs available through Wolverhampton Borough Council. These programs provide free or low-cost healthcare services to those who need them most, like free vaccinations for children (up to age 18) and free mental health counseling sessions with qualified professionals. Public health concerns the physical, mental, and social conditions that affect a population’s health. Public health professionals work to prevent disease and illness, promote good health practices, and ensure access to quality healthcare services. Public health is an interdisciplinary field that draws from many areas of study, including medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral sciences, law, public policy, and others (Hirsch, 2020). The history of Wolverhampton’s public health system dates back to the 1700s when a group called “The Friendly Society” was formed in 1750 by seven men who wanted to create a place where people could get medical attention if they couldn’t afford it (Danat, 2020). This society is said to have evolved into the first hospital in Wolverhampton.
Wolverhampton Trust Public Health Provision
The Wolverhampton Trust offers funding for community projects in various areas, such as education and health care. The goal of this service is to improve the health and well-being of people within Wolverhampton by providing them with information about public health issues and how they can improve their health. This Provision intends to offer more services that the general public can access. The organizations aim to improve health and social care for people of all ages who need help (Lockyer and Spiro, 2019). They also want to help those who are economically disadvantaged or disabled. The Wolverhampton Trust is a charity organization supporting local people with disabilities. They offer healthcare, housing, education programs, and employment opportunities. The group currently has over 500 employees working at their various offices throughout Wolverhampton borough (Danat, 2020). The organization was founded in 1940 by a woman named Mary Ellen Watts, who felt there were not enough organizations available for people suffering from mental illnesses (Danat, 2020). She began her work by opening a small clinic where she could provide basic medical care and counseling sessions for those struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorders.
The Wolverhampton Trust Public Health Provision follows the guidance in the policy to increase the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce obesity. The trust provides screening, vaccinations, and treatment for diabetes and depression.
The Wolverhampton Trust Public Health Provision does not relate to groups most in need because it focuses on providing services for all residents regardless of gender or age. This means that it does not provide services specifically for children or teenagers who may be more vulnerable than adults due to their young age (Bower, 2022). There are some aspects of the Provision that could be improved. For example, coverage gaps exist for those who do not have insurance or cannot afford to pay for their healthcare. The Wolverhampton Trust Public Health Provision is a complex and broad system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper has discussed Wolverhampton town regarding the health issues affecting this town. Obesity has been identified as the town’s most pressing health issue. Socioeconomic deprivation is a health inequality in Wolverhampton. This paper has analyzed policies to reduce obesity, background on public health, and public health provisions in this town. The Wolverhampton Trust Public Health Provision needs to improve its management system. Currently, there are no clear lines of authority or accountability within the organization.
Reference List
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