Health and wellbeing
New public health report highlights vital link between health and wealth in Walsall
Published on
A new report outlining a bold vision for a prosperous, inclusive and health-promoting economy will be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board at Walsall Council on Thursday 19 March 2026.
The Director of Public Health Walsall’s annual report “Health and Wealth: Two Sides of the Same Coin”, explores how economic prosperity and health are deeply interconnected. It sets out how creating the right conditions for residents to thrive can deliver benefits for both wellbeing and growth across Walsall.
“ This report makes clear that improving health and strengthening our economy go hand in hand. Walsall is already benefiting from major regeneration, stronger partnerships and targeted employment support, but we know there is more to do. By working together across the system, we can create the conditions for our residents to live well and access good employment opportunities. I welcome this report and the ambitious recommendations it sets out for the borough’s future. “
The report focuses on two areas: building the local economy and the relationship between work and health.
Whilst Walsall faces a combination of challenges linked to economic inactivity, youth unemployment and a growing number of residents living with long-term health conditions, the solutions lie in partner organisations working together across the system to improve health and wellbeing and to support residents into good work.
Good quality employment plays an important role in protecting physical and mental health, and how health-promoting workplaces are encouraged for success.
Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5 billion regeneration programme, supported by major government funding. Projects include Connected Gateway, the new Adult Learning Centre, the Digital Skills Hub and the Active Public Space initiative. Development of community spaces, including a town centre Youth Hub and the Saddlers Centre redevelopment are also underway.
Programmes such as WorkWell and Walsall Works are supporting thousands of participants. Since October 2024, WorkWell has 1,150 people engaging in the programme (with 239 participants being Walsall residents) helping people with health conditions stay in or return to employment. Walsall Works has helped 656 residents into employment and supported 457 into education and training over a 20-month period, demonstrating strong partnership working across the system.
Walsall Connected has delivered more than 41,000 resident interactions across 29 community sites, providing digital support, access to devices and links to wider wellbeing services.
A nine-month workplace NHS Health Check pilot delivered 472 checks across 13 organisations, which helped participants understand health risks, with many referred onto further support.
“ Health and wealth are two sides of the same coin. When people are in good health, they can learn, work, care and contribute. When our local economy is strong, communities have the foundations they need to thrive. This report shows the progress already being made in Walsall, from regeneration and digital inclusion to workplace health and employment support. It highlights where we can go further together. By bringing ‘health’ and ‘wealth’ together, thinking about how they interact, and our opportunities for positive action, we can strengthen both the wellbeing of our residents and the prosperity of the borough. “
The report calls for partners across Walsall to continually embed a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach across all decision-making, closer partnership with businesses to promote good work and healthier workplaces, and greater use of social value and corporate responsibility to benefit local communities.
The report also urges partners to integrate employment support more closely with health services and to target inequalities, in order to help more residents access good work and better health.
The full report can be read on CMIS. The papers associated with the Health and Wellbeing Board are on the Council’s Committee and Information Systems (CMIS).
