JSNA Healthy Places

Data in this summary is correct as at September 2025

Where we live, work and socialise plays an important role in our health. Both the built and natural environment make up part of the wider determinants of health. These can influence people’s physical and mental health. This impact can be felt across the life course and impact on health inequalities. The quality of the environment can influence many aspects of people’s lives. For example:

  • social connections within a neighbourhood;
  • quality and availability of housing and food outlets;
  • exposure to air and noise pollution;
  • and safe transport including opportunities for active travel.

The planning and management of places can help promote good health, improve access to services and reduce health inequalities.

Local public health teams can influence the health of places. For example:

  • feeding into the plans for new housing developments,
  • influencing leaders in partner organisations to consider how the wider determinants of health are impacted by transport, air and noise pollution,
  • improving access to health assets such as green spaces,
  • and considering health hazards in local areas such as concentrations of fast food, alcohol or gambling outlets.

Data in this summary is correct as at May 2024. The data in this report can be explored further by smaller geographies in the JSNA Healthy Places data report

Physical environment

This section covers the physical environment. Green space, such as parks, woodland, fields and allotments as well as natural elements including green walls, are recognised as important assets for supporting health and wellbeing. Evidence shows that living in a greener environment can promote and protect good health, aid in recovery from illness and help with managing poor health.

The Chief Medical Officer's 2021 Annual report focused on health inequalities in coastal areas. It outlined that these areas have low life expectancy and high rates of many diseases, compared with non-coastal areas. The Isle of Wight is split between coastal and non-coastal areas. Non-coastal areas are more sparsely populated.

Home environment

This section covers:

  • Food insecurity index
  • Food banks
  • Housing – affordability, overcrowding, homelessness, fuel poverty

Good nutrition is vital for living a healthy life. Food insecurity can occur through a number of ways such as economic factors and factors impacting on access to buying groceries. The Food Insecurity Index includes all these factors and is mapped in the report. There are large amounts of food insecurity on the Isle of Wight. The areas with the greatest risk of food insecurity were central Newport, Lake, Shanklin, Sandown, East Cowes and more rural areas around Ventnor, Wroxall and Freshwater.

Housing is a key determinant of health. Poor quality or unsuitable homes directly affect physical and mental wellbeing, creating or exacerbating health issues. Cold homes and fuel poverty are directly linked to excess winter deaths. The Isle of Wight is less affordable than England as a whole, and has a smaller proportion of homes available for social renting and a higher proportion of homes owned outright. The Isle of Wight has a lower rate of overcrowded homes England overall.

Social and economic environment

This section covers:

  • Social isolation index
  • Digital and internet usage
  • Mental health and wellbeing index
  • Economic inactivity – household income, benefit claimants and occupants

Social isolation is the objective term used to describe an absence of social contacts or community involvement, or a lack of access to services. Loneliness is an unwelcome feeling or lack or loss of companionship. Social isolation and loneliness have negative impacts on health outcomes. The Isle of Wight has a number of areas where people are at increased risk of social isolation including Shanklin, Newport and Ventnor.

The extent to which people use the internet can impact on a number of life aspects such as social connections, access to services such as groceries, banking, employment, and access to health services. There were very few areas where there was high engagement (only one within Cowes). The Isle of Wight also showed low rates of electronic returns for the census which suggests that alternative methods may be necessary for some communications.

Employment can provide a positive sense of wellbeing and a stable income reduces the risk of poor mental health. Higher earnings can provide a better standard of living and housing.

Climate

Climate change is increasing the risk that extreme events, such as heatwaves and flooding, will occur. These events can result in increased mortality, especially in more vulnerable groups such as the elderly. Other populations groups will also experience impacts such as negative mental health consequences.

Healthy Places - Full Report

Social Isolation Index 2023: Exploring the Isle of Wight

The Social Isolation Index 2023 explores the vulnerabilities associated with an increased risk of social isolation. This written narrative supports the data available on the Healthy Places Power BI. There is also a larger report covering all the Hampshire districts which is linked to within this IOW document.

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