Devon is the third largest county in England, covering 2,534 square miles. The county council area has around 780,000 residents, with a higher proportion of older people than the national average. It is also one of the most sparsely populated counties, with few large settlements and a dispersed rural population.
The current Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Devon overview was published in June 2018 and provides a summary of health and wellbeing needs across the Devon County Council area. It contains a range of information about health and the factors that influence the health of the population from a range of sources.
Full Document: JSNA Devon Overview 2018
Presentation Summary: JSNA Devon Overview 2018 Presentation
Summary
The main health and wellbeing challenges identified in Devon in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment are:
Population and demographics
- Older than average population compared to England
- Growing population particularly those in older age groups
- Increasing numbers of persons typically not in the labour force aged 65 and over
- More people moving into Devon compared to moving out of Devon, particularly those aged 30 to 69 years
- Over 75,000 planned dwellings and 422 hectares of employment land are planned for over the next 15 to 20 years
Economy
- Mental and behavioural disorders account for almost half of persons claiming disability benefits
- Skilled workforce with higher than average qualifications but lower falling average earnings compared to South West and England
- Increasing number of persons accessing emergency food supplies
- More than 1 in 8 households in Devon are considered to experience fuel poverty
Community and environment
- Increased hidden risk in drugs networks, child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, problem drinkers and drug users, and modern
- 1 in 3 sites of special interest and rivers are classed as being in good condition
- Projected climate change and health impacts
Housing
- More than 15,000 families on the housing register
- Homelessness is increasing
- Housing affordability
- Accessibility of services for people living in rural areas
Deprivation
- 5% of Devon’s population live in the top 20% most deprived relative to England
- Rurality and higher deprivation
- Barriers to housing and services are challenging for certain parts of Devon
- Housing quality and central heating availability is an issue in many parts of Devon
- Certain parts of Devon have become more deprived
- Recent increases in child poverty
Starting Well, Living Well and Ageing Well
- Poor mental health
- Injuries and road deaths
- Behavioural risk factors
- Long-term conditions, multi-morbidity and frailty
Previous Reports
Previous JSNA Devon Overview reports are available through the link below.