Contents

  1. Foreword to public health annual report
  2. Executive summary
  3. Bexley 2050: A health-centred vision
  4. The future of health in Bexley
  5. Prosperity, equity and digital futures
  6. Prevention, partnerships and public health in action
  7. Conclusion and next steps
  8. Glossary and references

2. Executive summary

Bexley’s 2050 Vision sets out a long term ambition for a borough that is healthier, fairer and more prosperous. This Annual Public Health Report considers how Bexley’s population will change over the coming decades, how the places where people live and work influence their wellbeing, and how prosperity, equity and digital inclusion together shape health outcomes. By 2050, the population is projected to approach 280,000, with one in four residents aged 65 or over, placing greater emphasis on prevention, early help and strong community networks.

Neighbourhoods remain central to the health of local residents. Housing quality, access to green and open spaces, safe and active streets, digital connectivity, and the strength of community identity all influence how healthy people feel. The borough’s three Local Care Network geographies — North Bexley, Clocktower and Frognal — each have distinct needs and assets, requiring targeted, place-based approaches. Economic opportunity, skills and employment also influence wellbeing; without inclusive growth, inequalities risk deepening in areas already experiencing higher deprivation or more complex health needs. Digital innovation brings new opportunities for prevention and early intervention, but only if every resident can access and confidently use these tools.

child gardening
The report identifies obesity as Bexley’s biggest public health challenge, with one in four adults and more than one in five children affected. Rising mental health needs, ongoing pressures on local services and persistent inequalities across the borough further highlight the need for coordinated action. These challenges demonstrate why prevention must be embedded across all systems — from housing, planning and transport to education, community life and the local economy.

To meet the ambitions of the 2050 Vision, this report sets out a clear Call to Action.

Partners across the Council, NHS, ICB, voluntary sector, businesses and communities are encouraged to place health at the heart of major decisions. This includes strengthening prevention across the life course, investing in skills and inclusive economic growth, designing healthy and resilient neighbourhoods, and improving social and digital inclusion. These priorities underpin the recommendations in the concluding sections of the report. They focus on tackling obesity through a whole system approach, improving housing quality, expanding access to green spaces, strengthening mental health support, advancing neighbourhood based working, targeting resources where inequalities are greatest, increasing digital inclusion, and developing a shared evidence and evaluation framework to track progress.

Taken together, these actions offer a clear and achievable pathway towards a healthier, more connected and more equitable Bexley. By working collectively and acting early, partners can ensure that every resident — regardless of age, background or circumstance — has the opportunity to live well now and into the future.