Population groups

Introduction A Wakefield District Gypsy and Traveller Health Needs Assessment (HNA) was undertaken in 2022, coordinated and produced by Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange, in partnership with Wakefield Council. Nationally, Gypsies and Travellers are known to have the worst outcomes of any ethnic group across areas including education, health, employment, criminal justice and hate crime1.  … Continue reading "Gypsy and traveller health needs assessment"

Defining disability is complex and contentious. The “medical model” of disability is based on a belief that disability is caused by an individual’s health condition or impairment. The Government encourages instead the use of the “social model” of disability which states that disability is created by barriers in society including the environment, people’s attitudes and … Continue reading "Sensory impairment"

Published: February 2024 Unpaid carers provide critical support for people with health and social care needs. The support provided by carers is often physically and emotionally demanding, with consequences for carers’ own health and wellbeing. Headlines 10.9% of the Wakefield population (aged 16+) are unpaid carers (Census 2021). The percentage of people providing unpaid care … Continue reading "Unpaid carers"

Published 18/11/2024 Content Warning: Some readers may find that some of the documents and resources on this page may trigger unwelcome and distressing memories or thoughts. Overview The Wakefield District is home to around 353,000 people of whom just over 30,000 (9%) were not born in the UK. Over the last 10 years, the number … Continue reading "Health needs assessment for residents born outside the UK"

Published: August 2024 LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace. Click here for Stonewall’s list of useful LGBTQ+ terms. Please be aware that the individual groups within this community may have very different needs and may experience different outcomes. Headlines Environment The percentage of people identifying as LGBTQ+ is … Continue reading "LGBTQ+"

Published: August 2024 Neurodiversity regards differences in brain function and behavioural traits as part of normal variation in the population. Uncovering the strengths of neurodiverse people and utilising their talents can help increase innovation and productivity of society as a whole. Neurodiversity can include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Tourette’s, as well as neurodevelopmental … Continue reading "Neurodiversity"

Published: October 2024, Last Updated: November 2024 Introduction The older adult population in Wakefield is growing. People are living longer. In 2011, Wakefield had 6,662 residents who were aged 85 or above.  This figure is projected to more than double to 14,500 by 2040. As we age, we are more likely to be living with … Continue reading "Older people"

Published: November 2024, Last Updated: November 2024 Introduction A learning disability is defined by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as ‘A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence), with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), which started before adulthood‘. It … Continue reading "Learning disabilities"