HEALTH AND CARE: Remember there is only '˜One You'

You may be familiar with the ‘Change for Life’ campaign, and this is similar, but for the first time is specifically targeting people over the age of 40.

‘One You’ aims to encourage adults, particularly those in middle age, to take control of their health to enjoy significant benefits now, and in later life.

Latest figures show that life expectancy at older ages is at record levels, yet many are spending their retirement living in ill health.

Currently 15 million people across the country are living with a long-term health condition, yet studies show living healthily in middle age can double your chances of being healthy when you are 70.

The new campaign from Public Health England hopes to be able to support adults to move more, eat well, drink less and be smoke free, but also to think about how you can reduce stress levels and sleep better, which all have a significant impact on your health.

To start off with, people are encouraged to take part in a new online health quiz called ‘How are you’.

Discussions with those that have used it so far shows that more than half (56 per cent) said they were likely to change their lifestyle to improve their health because of the feedback it gave them.

After completing a few simple questions, the quiz will provide personalised recommendations based on what you have said and signposts to advice and tools to help to take action if it is needed.

Those behind the campaign know that modern day life makes it hard for people to live healthily, with bigger portions for everything we eat, desk-bound jobs or a long commute, but everyday habits and behaviours – such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking more than is recommended, continuing to smoke and not being active enough – are responsible for around 40 per cent of all deaths in England and cost the NHS more than £11 billion a year.

One You aims to get people to think about their lifestyle choices and do something before it’s too late.

Find out more about the campaign and take the online quiz: www.nhs.uk/oneyou

You can also find advice on how to make lifestyle changes to improve your health, and the support available locally, from the Wellbeing teams across our area.

See more online: www.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk

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