People in the South East can expect to live another 18 months under new plans.

The commitment to raise the life expectancy of the most socially disadvantaged in Kent and Medway and across the South East by 18 months was just one of the aims set out in a new health strategy for the South East launched today by Jonathan Shaw, Regional Minister for the South East.

In Kent, the population is generally healthy and indicators of health are good when compared to other areas of England. However, there are large differences in life expectancy between districts. For example male life expectancy is lower and early death rate due to cancer is higher in Thanet than in Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Shepway and Swale. Although the proportion of adults who smoke is low overall, the figure for Thanet is higher than the national average.

In Medway, the picture is more gloomy. Men and women in Medway can expect to live shorter lives than the average for London and the South East region as a whole, although life expectancy is increasing. There are large differences in life expectancy between income groups.

"The South East England Health Strategy" identifies the main priorities and actions needed to improve the health of people living in the South East, focusing on six specific themes:

- Reducing health inequalities and raise the life expectancy of the most socially disadvantaged.
- Promoting sustainability to maximise the positive impact on people's health.
- Reducing violence and create a safer, sustainable community.
- Improving workplace health.
- Promoting the physical and mental well-being of children and young people.
- Improving the healthy life expectancy of older people and reduce inequalities in health.

The strategy links actions at a national, regional and local level to ensure that all those with an interest in health issues work in partnership to improve the health of everyone in the South East.

Welcoming the strategy, Jonathan Shaw said: "Health is everyone's business. Although we have some of the healthiest communities in the UK, we also have some communities and groups who experience shocking health inequalities. Across the South East, differences in life expectancy of ten or more years can be found."