Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2024: Health in Cities

Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, has published his annual state of the nation report. This year he has put the spotlight on what can be done to improve health in cities and the report highlights the key social determinations of health and the health disparities of urban ageing.

Professor Whitty points out that cities are younger than rural areas and smaller towns. He suggests that they should be better placed to support the ageing population as ‘old age support ratios’ are favourable and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. However, he also explains that the population of cities is ageing too and that maintaining and improving health as we age presents different challenges and opportunities for older people in cities compared to more peripheral areas. For example, he recommends action to remove barriers and maintain good health for older people in cities can include having age-friendly accommodation and ensuring practical access to places maintaining physical activity and social engagement for those with predictable mobility and sensory impairment of older age.

The CMO also calls for better health improvement measures to improve the sustained involvement of local communities in finding culturally competent solutions to local issues are essential. And, in relation to the built environment he calls for access to good housing, green spaces, and a pollution-free environment. Improving the built environment in cities presents an opportunity to significantly improve health for millions of people. He stated in a post on X:

“Deprivation is highly concentrated in many cities, where people have limited access to good housing and are exposed to high levels of smoking and unhealthy environments.”

With the National Planning Policy Framework published this week, there is also an urgent case to ensure that our planning guidance also recognises the importance of healthy homes and healthy place-making. The Housing LIN is proud to support TCPA’s Healthy Homes Pledge.