A national charity has praised Greater Manchester for its work in improving health and tackling health inequalities.

The King's Fund has recognised the region as 'the poster child for devolution' in England, acknowledging the time, effort, and resources dedicated to enhancing wellbeing and preventing illness.

A report by the charity highlights the importance of factors such as quality housing, employment, and a healthy environment in influencing health.

It also emphasises the connection between health and community, and the need for strategies to improve both economic and health status.

Greater Manchester's devolution deal with the government on health, in place since 2015, has led to improvements in life expectancy and other measures.

The report repeats the importance of population health as a core goal of integrated care systems and the need for collaboration at different government levels.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership co-chair, said: "Greater Manchester’s health devolution journey has a simple but fundamental principle at its heart: that more local decision-making can deliver better outcomes for people."

Jane Pilkington, Director of Population Health for NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: "The King’s Fund spotlighting Greater Manchester as leading the way in population health is pivotal to re-emphasise the important role the NHS plays in improving the health and wellbeing of residents, by focusing on preventing ill-health in the first instance rather than just treating sickness, as well as relentlessly working to reduce health inequalities."

The report acknowledges the financial challenges faced by the NHS and other public sector organisations but advocates for a continued population health approach.