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Impact on Urban Health

@impurbanhealth.bsky.social
926 followers 460 following 765 posts

Helping cities & urban areas become healthier places for everyone. Tackling health inequalities w/ @gsttfoundation.bsky.social Get our newsletter 📨 bit.ly/IoUHnews Website: urbanhealth.org.uk

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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
We're seeking a Learning Partner to help us capture and synthesise learning from our children's mental health programme. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Deadline: Monday 19 Oct More details: urbanhealth.org.uk/tenders/chil...
Invitation to tender Children's mental health learning partner. An image of a woman walking towards a grassy area with a child. She is carrying shopping bags. There are trees in the distance.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Racism, poverty and exposure to air pollution are interlinked. The ‘triple burden’ describes how people from racially minoritised and low income backgrounds have a higher risk of health issues due to air pollution.
Racism, poverty and air pollution: What's the link?Have you heard of the triple burden? The framework shows how unequal conditions that can produce health inequalities are also related to air pollution.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Invitation to tender: Children’s mental health learning partner 🪧 We're inviting proposals from learning partners to support the final phase of our children’s mental health programme. Deadline: Monday 19 October 2026 at midday. 🗓️ Details: urbanhealth.org.uk/tenders/chil...
Invitation to tender: Children's mental health learning partner
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We'll be speaking at the Labour Party Conference today, discussing how Labour's early years agenda can better address inequalities. 🗓️ Monday 28th September, 4:30-5:30 Thanks to Institute for Government and Barnardo's for partnering with us on this event.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We're at the Labour Party Conference today! Please join our event on how Labour can deliver on its health agenda. 🗓️ Monday 28th September, 2:30-3:45 We're delighted to be joined by: ➡️ Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care 1/2 🧵
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Great new article from the BMJ’s Investigations Unit, highlighting how one third of the UK government’s nutrition advisers are still being paid by industry, after an earlier investigation revealed significant ties. www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-10…
bmj.com
A third of UK government’s nutrition advisers are still paid by food industry, including Coca-Cola and Nestlé
Financial conflicts of interest remain rife in the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), BMJ analysis reveals. Despite a new code of conduct banning links to the food industry, members wi...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
We’re delighted to announce that Mohamed Osman has joined Impact on Urban Health as our new Executive Director. 🌟 Read the full announcement 👇
urbanhealth.org.uk
Mohamed Osman joins as new Executive Director of Impact on Urban Health
We're delighted to welcome Mohamed Osman as the new Executive Director of Impact on Urban Health.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty came into force this week, representing a key step towards strengthening coordination between housing, health and education services. Our partner Shared Health Foundation has published some training on the new duty and what it involves
sharedhealthfoundation.org.uk
Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty Training - Shared Health Foundation
Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty Training The Temporary Accommodation Notification Duty (TAND) introduces a new statutory duty for Local Authorities, requiring them to implement a consent-based notification, alerting a child's School, GP and He...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Every child matters, but not every child gets a fair start. We believe that the early years are fundamental foundations for children's mental health; yet many families, especially those from marginalised communities, don't have the support they need during these crucial years.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Great to see these learnings from the Nourishing Neighbourhoods project, which supports small businesses to change their recipes to offer healthier food options. www.eitfood.eu/impact-stories/nouri…
eitfood.eu
Nourishing Neighbourhoods: healthier food, closer to communities - EIT Food
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
One year on from voluntary guidelines on sugar and salt, ‘healthy’ baby food still contains high sugar levels. ‘Retailers can and must do better for babies and young children,’ says Carole Coulon on behalf of the Commercial Baby Food Review. Read more in The Times (£)
thetimes.com
‘Healthy’ baby food still contains high sugar levels, report finds
Only three products have so far been reformulated to meet voluntary guidelines on sugar and salt published a year ago, Which? says
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
How does health differ between urban and rural areas, and within our towns and cities? Use our data dashboards to explore: Drivers of health inequality 💷 Health outcomes for life expectancy, mortality rate, risk factors, illnesses & more 🏥 Housing conditions and homelessness across England 🏠
urbanhealth.org.uk
The State of Urban Health: Interactive dashboards
The interactive dashboards provide further access to the data we analysed allowing anyone to explore the full dataset, compare indicators across places, and look deeper into what interests them.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
People from some racially minoritised communities are more likely to experience: - poorer housing conditions - higher risk of homelessness - lower employment rates. What's driving these differences? Read The State of Urban Health and explore the data 👇
urbanhealth.org.uk
The State of Urban Health
New research provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of urban health in England to date.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
What do children think about city life today? 💭 We asked a classroom of 10-year-olds. Watch the film to hear about their dream future and the things they’d change about living in a city ▶️ urbanhealth.org.uk/who-we-are/about…
A girl is holding up a piece of paper which says "My dream future". There are some drawings and paintings, including the words: "to be clean".
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New opportunity: We want to hear from you if you have experience with either or both: 🧾Synthesising and summarising evidence 💡Designing interactive digital evidence platforms Apply by 24 September - all information here 👇 urbanhealth.org.uk/tenders/evidence…
urbanhealth.org.uk
Invitation to tender: Evidence and learning hub
We're inviting proposals to support the development of an interactive evidence platform. This project covers 1) evidence synthesis of our funded initiatives and related external evidence; and 2) the d...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New BMJ investigation out now - Exploring junk food suppliers' ‘shocking’ presence at school food event www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-10…
bmj.com
Junk food suppliers have “shocking” major presence at UK’s biggest school food event
As the government prepares to introduce updated school food standards, The BMJ finds that more than a third of the firms exhibiting at a major school food show sell products high in fat, sugar, or sal...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
We’re delighted that yet more evidence shows the ULEZ is protecting people’s health. Air pollution has devastating effects on health. The ULEZ shows it's possible to take bold steps to improve air quality. @london.gov.uk
news.sky.com
London's ULEZ linked to improved lung growth in children, says study
Sir Sadiq Khan says it proves he was right to push forward with the scheme and its controversial extension to cover the whole of the capital.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
How does living in a town or city affect your health? 🏙️ Our The State of Urban Health research found: - Some of the starkest differences in outcomes are just streets apart - Poverty, racism and discrimination are key drivers of these differences urbanhealth.org.uk/state-of-urban-h…
Did you know that living in a town or city affects how healthy you are? 

And urban areas are home to more than eight in ten people in England.

An image of people queuing in front of an ice cream van.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Can you help us develop an evidence and learning hub? We want to hear from organisations or consortia who can work with us to synthesise and share our learnings. Apply by 24 September 2026 at 4pm - all details available online 👇 urbanhealth.org.uk/tenders/evidence…
urbanhealth.org.uk
Invitation to tender: Evidence and learning hub
We're inviting proposals to support the development of an interactive evidence platform. This project covers 1) evidence synthesis of our funded initiatives and related external evidence; and 2) the d...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
What happens when you ask 10-year-olds what they want the future of our cities to look like? 🌆 They imagined a future with cleaner air, healthier food options, and spaces to play. A city where everyone feels like they belong. Watch our video and see what they said 👇
youtube.com
If kids were in charge of our cities, what would they change? | Impact on Urban Health
YouTube video by Impact on Urban Health
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
“Meaningfully embedding equity means mechanisms such as citizens’ assemblies and equity impact assessments which would track what actually happens to inequalities after an intervention, rather than just whether average pollution levels fall.”
urbanhealth.org.uk
Clean air is a right: the policy changes we want to see
The Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into air quality is a rare opportunity to influence air quality policymaking in the UK. This is what we want to see in their upcoming report.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
“Our health is shaped as much by the places we live as the care we receive. The simple truth is those places are not supporting people to be healthy.” Our Director of Policy, Influencing & Communications, @markheff.bsky.social, on how Burnham can improve the nation’s health.
bigissue.com
Can Andy Burnham close widening health gaps in the UK?
Poverty is a deep cause and consequence of ill-health. Andy Burnham closed the health gap in Greater Manchester, can he do the same as PM?
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
If they can imagine it, you can invest in it. Watch the film: urbanhealth.org.uk/who-we-are/about… Find out more about our work, go to: urbanhealth.org.uk
A girl painting small clay fruits with an image of the final creations overlayed
A girl drawing on a post-it note that says 'Be kind' with an image of the post-it overlayedA girl playing with clay, and a post-it that says '£ no more worrying overlayed'
A girl listening in class, and stickers saying 'no pollution no problems' overlayed
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Our Freedom of Information request has been published by The Guardian this morning. What these figures reveal about inequality is shocking. 🧵 www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Alarm over hospital lung admissions for children in England’s poorest postcodes
Exclusive: Analysis of NHS England data reveals stark impact of air pollution in deprived areas
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
If they can imagine it, you can invest in it. We asked a class of 10-year-olds a question we grapple with a lot at Impact on Urban Health. What do we want the future of our cities to look like? 🌆 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viai...
youtube.com
If kids were in charge of our cities, what would they change? | Impact on Urban Health
YouTube video by Impact on Urban Health
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The people who have first-hand experience of health effects of air pollution understand it in ways data can’t capture. Making policy with them, not just for them, is how we build an Air Quality Strategy that works and begins to rebuild trust between communities and the institutions that serve them.
urbanhealth.org.uk
Air pollution should be shaped by the people who live with it
This year, the Environmental Audit Committee is examining air quality. We partnered with Green Alliance to take the committee out of Westminster and into South London to meet the people who live with ...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
“If policy is to reduce inequalities the communities most affected need to be involved meaningfully. And they must be paid for their time and expertise, rather than consulted as an afterthought.” urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/news/cl…
urbanhealth.org.uk
Clean air is a right: the policy changes we want to see
The Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry into air quality is a rare opportunity to influence air quality policymaking in the UK. This is what we want to see in their upcoming report.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Have you come across standardised admission ratios? Standardised admission ratios (SAR) shows whether more or fewer people are being admitted to hospital than would be expected for an area, taking into account the age of the population.
On average, the emergency hospital admissions ratios for COPD is almost twice as high in urban areas than rural. 

Image of a graph showing how admissions for COPD, heart disease and stroke are higher in urban compared to rural areas.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Children living in the UK will grow up to be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades, according to RCPCH's latest State of Child Health report. The findings show failure to improve child health today risks lifelong health problems, poorer educational outcomes and widening inequalities.
rcpch.ac.uk
State of Child Health: about our report
Our flagship report, updated in July 2026, provides a clear and comprehensive analysis of children's health across the four nations of the UK. It assesses progress against 12 key indicators, including...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Persistent ethnic inequalities aren't explained by deprivation. When reflecting on The State of Urban Health, some findings are hard to share because they touch on difficult topics. This post touches on the topic of childhood mortality. 🧵
People walking down a street. In the distance, there are some tall buildings. There is a road with vehicles driving down it.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
What does deprivation mean for some people living in #Lambeth and #Southwark? Deprivation is a major driver of health inequity, shaping large differences in health outcomes across England. 🏥 In urban areas, deprivation is often more concentrated and more unequal between neighbourhoods.
The text reads: “Many residents in Lambeth are on low wages or have insecure work, meaning that they can’t afford nutritious food, or things like gym memberships or even time off work when they’re sick. Funded partner, Impact on Urban Health, Financial foundations for adult health programme
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
“Policymaking can’t stay locked in an exclusive, technocratic space. Policymakers must connect with the realities of everyday lives because the consequences of bad decisions are felt in everyday ways.” Read more about participatory policymaking 👇
urbanhealth.org.uk
Air pollution should be shaped by the people who live with it
This year, the Environmental Audit Committee is examining air quality. We partnered with Green Alliance to take the committee out of Westminster and into South London to meet the people who live with ...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
98% of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England are classified as urban. In many deprived neighbourhoods in Manchester, Birmingham and Leicester over a third of residents are 0-19 years old. Overall, urban areas tend to have higher levels of deprivation.
The text reads: 98% of the most deprived neighbourhoods nationally are urban. Find out more in The State of Urban Health. Image of people shopping in front of a fruit and vegetable stall.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Does it matter where you live as a child? 👦 We recently published The State of Urban Health. It provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of urban health in England to date. 🏙️ Some findings highlights the stark inequalities that exist in England.
Does it matter where you live as a child? An image of children playing football in a large, grassy field.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Air pollution harms health across the UK, but the burden isn’t shared equally. The communities breathing the most polluted air are those already facing racial and economic injustice. The Environmental Audit Committee’s (EAC) new inquiry is a chance to change that.
urbanhealth.org.uk
Clean air is a right: the policy changes we want to see
The Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into air quality is a rare opportunity to influence air quality policymaking in the UK. This is what we want to see in their upcoming report.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Delighted to see Ben Pearce, Head of our Health Effects of Air Pollution programme, quoted by Forbes: “Cleaner air should be seen as a health policy as much as a climate one. Air pollution is a silent killer and one of the greatest environmental risks to health, particularly in cities.”
forbes.com
Clean Air Policies Could Provide £7.7bn Boost To U.K, Study Finds
Net-zero policies designed to improve air quality could help generate £7.7 billion in productivity gains for the U.K. by 2050, according to a new analysis.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
"Communities actually have a lot of the solutions, all of the knowledge, because they experience it in their own bodies.” 🫶 Our new research on The State of Urban Health explores how urban life affects our health and how the biggest inequalities can show up just streets apart. 🏙️
urbanhealth.org.uk
The State of Urban Health
New research provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of urban health in England to date.
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Reposted by Impact on Urban Health
Healthy Air Coalition UK @healthyairuk.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
A new report from HAC colleagues @impurbanhealth.bsky.social shows how inequality is baked into England’s urban areas. It finds that living in deprived urban areas can more than double the risk of poor health and shorten life expectancy. It’s time to involve those most affected in policy making.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Living in a town or city affects how healthy you are. But you might be surprised at just how big that impact is. For most people in England, urban health is health. Our new research, The State of Urban Health, is one of the most comprehensive looks at health in England’s urban areas to date. 👇
urbanhealth.org.uk
The State of Urban Health
New research provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of urban health in England to date.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Coming tomorrow: The State of Urban Health 📢 We're launching one of the most comprehensive pieces of research on urban health in England to date. Our report tells us how health inequalities are shaped by systems & lived experiences.🗒️ Explore data dashboards on health, demographics & more. 📊
Coming tomorrow: One of the most comprehensive pieces of research on urban health in England to date.  

The image is the front cover of The State of Urban Health report, which includes a person cycling on a road in London.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
This year, the Environmental Audit Committee is examining air quality. We partnered with @green-alliance.org.uk to take the committee out of Westminster and into South London to meet the people who live with air pollution every day.
urbanhealth.org.uk
Air pollution should be shaped by the people who live with it
This year, the Environmental Audit Committee is examining air quality. We partnered with Green Alliance to take the committee out of Westminster and into South London to meet the people who live with ...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Great news but the job isn’t done. Air pollution has never hit Londoners equally. Cleaner air for London is vital, but the real test is whether the children and communities most exposed are seeing the biggest gains. That's where the next phase of action has to focus.
theguardian.com
Deaths linked to London air pollution have fallen 40%, study estimates
However, Imperial College team also find that pollution has worse health impact than previously understood
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We're delighted to have worked with @asthmaandlung.org.uk on a new report out today. 📝 Air pollution has a devastating impact on health, but it doesn't affect everyone equally.
asthmaandlung.org.uk
OUR AIR, OUR VOICES
Our Air, Our Voices
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
As the number of diesel vans in the city grows, campaigners are calling for zero emission zones: www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/…
mylondon.news
London 'needs zero emission zones to crack down on diesel vans'
Exclusive: A dozen campaign groups have signed a joint letter calling for London to follow the Netherlands' example
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The Health Bill and the government’s neighbourhood health plans are important opportunities to promote health and design services to meet the needs of their community. 🏡 It’s also a chance to meaningfully involve residents in designing and build public trust in the process. 🧵
A screenshot of the amendment to the Health Bill. The text reads:
Dr Allison Gardner. Clause 24, page 18, line 8, at end insert— “(6) _31 Having regard to guidance issued under Section 4 (Duty as to reducing inequalities), this must, in particular, include taking such steps as are reasonable to ensure the involvement of communities who face disproportionate barriers to participation, including those most affected by health inequalities in the area.” 

Member's explanatory statement:
This amendment creates a specific duty for local authorities and ICBs to ensure that communities most affected by health inequalities are actively involved in the creation of Neighbourhood Health Plans.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Improving air quality doesn’t just mean better health. It means fewer sick days, less burden on the NHS, and more productivity. This #CleanAirDay, write to your local councillor to ensure clean air is on their agenda: www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-day
Cleaner air benefits all of us. By taking action together we can improve everyone's health, boost local economies, and make our communities greener.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Air pollution affects everyone’s health, but not equally. You may be exposed to higher air pollution levels because of where you live; and children, older people & people w/ health conditions experience harms more Put clean air on the agenda #CleanAirDay www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-day
In the UK, air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to your health.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Right now, councillors across the country are deciding what changes to deliver for their community. Together, we can make clean air is on the agenda. This #CleanAirDay, call on your councillor to champion clean air in your community: www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-day
This Clean Air Day, call on your local councillor to champion clean air in your community.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Having a baby in the UK is expensive. So what would a maternity grant re-designed by mothers & children look like? We funded a co-design research project with 30 local mothers. Our recommendations: - £2000-£2500 grant - paid after the 20-week scan via direct bank transfer - universal eligibility
urbanhealth.org.uk
Bolstering financial support during the first 1001 days of a child’s life
Stronger financial support in the first 1001 days of a child’s life is needed to ensure children in the UK get the best start in life.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The places where we grow up, live, and work can determine our long-term health. In our home boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, communities living just a 30-minute walk apart can see a 12-15 year gap in life expectancy. These gaps are replicated across the UK, and they’re widening. 🧵
Britain's health is going backwards. We're joining Health Equals in calling for a change in the law to tackle health inequalities.
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