Tackling health inequalities in Exeter

Where you live in Exeter can affect how long you live by nearly 17 years.

According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation – the official measure of poverty and disadvantage across England – people in the city’s wealthiest neighbourhoods can expect to live into their 90s. In the most deprived areas, life expectancy drops to around 73.

Exeter City Community Trust and Health Opportunities Devon are determined to change that.

Introducing our Health Lead

We have jointly appointed Laura McDonagh as a dedicated Health Lead, with a clear mission: to develop health programmes, activities and support that are shaped by the communities they are designed to serve.

Laura brings experience in health and wellbeing to a role that will focus on reaching people who may currently fall through the gaps – including those living with chronic pain, people on waiting lists for operations, and those with long-term physical or mental health conditions.

Laura said: “I feel passionately about the need to reduce the health inequalities that exist, and the importance of creating opportunities with people to ensure provision is what they actually need to live their most rewarding and fulfilling lives.

“Our initial research has shown there are gaps between primary and secondary care. Existing services are stretched, and I believe we can meet some of this need through our work in the community.”

Laura will work alongside local GP practices, Public Health and partner organisations across the city to ensure the programme connects with existing provision and reaches those who need it most.

Have your say – take our Health in the City survey

Before any programmes are developed, we want to hear from you. Our city-wide Health in the City survey invites all Exeter residents to share their experiences, challenges and ideas – so that everything we develop is built around real needs, not assumptions.

The survey covers physical health, mental wellbeing and access to support. It takes just a few minutes, and all responses are completely confidential.

Every response matters. The more people who take part, the better the support we can design – together.

Take the survey: bit.ly/3T2wnSZ

For information on how we handle your data, visitexetercct.org/privacy-policy