Leicestershire: Lifespan research project gets £5m funding

The project will look into healthcare and wider social and environmental factors like education and air quality

Wide differences in life expectancy across Leicestershire are to be investigated after a multi-million pound grant was awarded.

Longevity in the county can vary by up to six years, research has shown, with some communities at greater risk.

Now £5.25m has been awarded to the public health team at the county council to fund a five-year project.

As well as health, it will examine factors like education, housing and air quality and identify remedial action.

The money has come via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), from the Department of Health and Social Care.

Officials said research would take place within local communities and evidence gathered would be put into practice on the ground.

'Maximise health benefits'

The project will take place in collaboration with the University of Leicester, De Montfort University, University of Nottingham, and Loughborough University.

Leicestershire Academic Health Partners, which includes the NHS and health-focused academic organisations, will also take part.

Louise Richardson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "We know that we have high levels of conditions such as asthma, cancer, obesity and diseases of the heart, and the work we put into this research will hopefully see a reduction in these conditions and the causes of inequality as we tackle the problems at source, rather than just relying on the NHS.

"This will be a collaborative effort with experts in universities and the NHS to make sure we do this right and maximise the health benefits that this research can bring to Leicestershire residents."

The county council said it was currently developing the project and full research collaboration would begin in 2025.

The funding comes at a time when the authority is facing an £85m budget shortfall by 2028, with savings plans including a £40m reduction of costs related to special educational needs and disabilities.