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

1. Foreword to public health annual report

As Bexley looks ahead to 2050, we stand at an important moment in our borough’s story. Our communities are changing — becoming older, more diverse and influenced by changing economic, social and community patterns across the borough. The decisions we make today will shape what life looks like for our children, our families, and our future residents.

Illustration of people in a park

This year’s Annual Public Health Report explores our long‑term vision for a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Bexley. It shows how the places we live, work, learn and socialise have a greater impact on our health than the care we receive in clinics or hospitals. Good homes, strong communities, safe streets, green spaces, digital access and economic opportunity all help determine whether people can live well for longer.

Bexley has strong foundations: committed partners, active communities, and a shared belief that prevention must be at the heart of everything we do. But we also face challenges — rising levels of obesity, growing mental health needs, inequalities between neighbourhoods, increasing pressures on local services, and the demands of an ageing population.

This report is a call to action

It asks all of us — the Council, NHS, voluntary sector, businesses and residents — to work together to build a borough where every person has the chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life. By taking a long‑term view and embedding health in all our decisions, we can ensure Bexley continues to thrive well into the future.

Dr Nicole Klynman
Director of Public Health, London Borough of Bexley

Dr Nicole Klynman, Director of Public Health at London Borough of Bexley