Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

proportions in recently urbanised populations after the industrial revolution, it was issues of this nature
that dominated the earliest thinking with regard to public health. 52
4.22 In the East of England in the 21st Century, determinants of health relating to the physical environment
are evidenced in a less dramatic manner, but they are present nevertheless. Nationally, air pollution
from particulate matter is linked to 8,100 premature deaths annually and sulphur dioxide to 3,500. 53
The Regional Environment Strategy highlights that a major source of air pollution in the Region is
emissions from traffic. Within the Region, in 2002, some 36% of households had two or more
cars/vans (compared to 29% across England) and there were almost 83,000 vehicles per day on every
kilometre of motorway in the Region (compared to 78,000 across England). 54 Despite technological
improvements, increases in road traffic are contributing to air pollution 55 which is known to have
negative health impacts, particularly in areas which are in close proximity to the source of emissions.
But there are other indirect consequences for people’s health: within the East of England, the
increasing use of motor vehicles, the increase in physical inactivity and the rising levels of obesity
are causally inter-related. 56
4.23 Noise is another environmental factor which has adverse impacts on population health. There is a
body of evidence to suggest that chronic exposure to environmental noise leads to impaired cognitive
function and health in children. 57 Noise from road traffic and air traffic are two key sources.
4.24 Looking to the future, climate change is likely to have a substantial effect on people’s health. Nationally,
an Expert Group on Climate Change and Health (formed at the request of Ministers at the Department
of Health) has predicted that by the 2050s and as a result of climate change, heat-related deaths are
likely to increase by about 2,000 cases per year; food poisoning will increase by 10,000 cases per year;
there is likely to be a substantially increased risk of major disasters caused by severe winter gales and
coastal flooding; and the incidence of skin cancer is likely to increase by 5,000 cases per year in the
UK. 58 In the East of England, some areas are likely to be severely affected by the impacts of climate
change: the low-lying Fens and Thames Gateway areas will be at greater risk of flooding and saline
intrusion. 59 The report of the Expert Group on Climate Change and Health in the UK concluded by
suggesting that the NHS ought to be able to cope. However there was one major exception – coastal
flooding – and it is in this context that low lying parts of the East of England are vulnerable.
II: Living and working conditions
4.25 Nested underneath the broad social, economic and environmental factors which define the East
of England – and caused in part by them – are the places/conditions in which people live, learn and
work. These contribute to health outcomes. In seeking to improve the health of people within the
East of England and reduce inequalities in health, it is important to understand this second ‘layer’
of determinants, both in terms of the current situation and future trends and drivers. The paragraphs
that follow consider four elements: working and learning environments, housing, the design of
settlements, and access to services.
52 ‘Issues in Health Development – Environment and Health’ HDA, undated.
53 Making the case: Improving health through transport HDA, 2004.
54 Region in Figures – East of England, National Statistics (Crown copyright) No 9 Winter 2004/05.
55 This point is also made in the sustainability appraisal of the draft East of England Plan. See East of England Plan Non-Technical Summary
of the Sustainability Appraisal, Levett-Therivel and Land Use Consultants, November 2004.
56 Obesity in the East of England ERPHO 2004.
57 See the World Health Organisation website on ‘Noise and Health’ http://www.euro.who.int
58 Health effects of climate change in the UK Authored by the Expert Group on Climate Change and Health in the UK. Department of Health (Crown
copyright) 2001.
59 Living with Climate Change in the East of England Report to the East of England Regional Assembly and the Sustainable Development Round Table
by LUC, CAG and SQW, 2003.
A Regional Health Strategy for the East of England 47