Our response to Public Health England’s One You campaign

One You is a response to the fact that 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% of all deaths in England.

Catherine Foot, Director of Evidence at the Centre for Ageing Better, said:

“The fact that we are living longer presents a tremendous opportunity for everyone to enjoy healthy, active and fulfilling later lives. However, at present too many people risk missing out.

Our own research identified three key dimensions of a good later life – health, financial security and social connections. These were consistent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or location. What’s more, these dimensions are interrelated and all influence each other. Supporting people to maintain their health and stay active can put off the need for care and support but also enables people to stay connected to friends, continue to work and get involved in their communities.

People in midlife often find themselves squeezed for both time and money, many with work pressures and caring responsibilities. This means their attention to their own health and wellbeing is suffering. Yet making sustained changes in lifestyle in midlife can radically improve how you will experience ageing. We are pleased to see such an ambitious and wide reaching programme that aims to enable and empower more people to find the simple ways that can improve their health and therefore their ability to enjoy their lives for years to come.”

Find out more about One You, and see Public Health England’s announcement.

Read the Centre for Ageing Better’s report, Later Life in 2015.