Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

Social and community networks Lifestyle networks
• In the main, networks ought to be reasonably good
for mothers and young children, other than the most
disadvantaged
• Networks are very influential in encouraging healthy
or unhealthy behaviour: peer influence can result in
very positive or very negative outcomes
• As people approach retirement, one important source
of social networks can disappear; this is a source of real
vulnerability
• Older people may become lonely and isolated following
bereavement and this can make them extremely vulnerable;
in the East of England there appears to be a particular
problem facing elderly widows living alone in large, isolated
houses which may also be falling into disrepair
• Poor diet during the first five years
of life can have long-term implications
• Most people who smoke, start smoking
in their teenage years; this has long-term
implications for people’s health
• Poor habits in terms of diet and cooking may
begin as people leave home and these habits
can be difficult to break later. It is important
that this group of people knows how to
handle food and make good food choices
• Consumption of alcohol amongst this group
can be excessive and this cohort is also prone
to experimentation in illegal drugs
• Sexual health issues were raised as a major
issue in Choosing Health and it is likely
that these are especially relevant for people
in this age group
• The transition to retirement is a major life
change at which disposable income may
fall significantly. This in turn will have
implications for consumption decisions
• It is important that older people are able
to remain physically active; this has been
shown to improve mental alertness
A Regional Health Strategy for the East of England 55