Living Well launch a new podcast series!
The Living Well Podcast explores how we can all live healthier, more active lives, and how our environments, communities and systems shape the choices we make every day.
Hosted by Tim Howells, Head of Public Health, and Zakra (Zak) Yasin, Senior Public Health Specialist for Health Promotion, the podcast brings together expert insight, lived experience and local voices to unpack the real issues affecting health and wellbeing across the Bradford district.
Each episode focuses on a key public health topic, from mental wellbeing and early years, to youth voice, healthy environments and everyday behaviours, and asks a simple question: what actually helps people live well?
Through interviews with health professionals, community leaders and people with lived experience, the podcast:
- Explains complex public health issues in clear, human language
- Challenges common myths and misconceptions
- Highlights practical actions people can take
- Connects listeners to free local support through Living Well Bradford
If you live or work in Bradford, or you’re interested in how place, policy and people shape health, The Living Well Podcast is for you.
The first episode Obesity – Beyond Blame: Tackling Stigma and Systemic Change is out now!
Tim Howells and Zakra Yasin explore the depth of this issue in Bradford district, from the financial costs to the profound impact of social factors.
They are joined by Collette Brauns, Senior Head of Living Well at the West Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board.
Together, they discuss:
- Why Bradford’s high levels of deprivation are linked to high rates of obesity and a 10-year difference in healthy life expectancy between deprived and less deprived areas.
- The societal cost of obesity, which amounts to about £126 billion a year in the UK.
- Why obesity is not currently recognized as a long-term health condition in its own right, and the campaign to change this narrative.
- The profound psychological and physical damage of stigma and stereotypes, and why choice is often influenced by surroundings like housing and jobs.
- System-wide initiatives, such as the Play Streets Project and School Streets, that encourage physical activity for children.
- The role of GLP-1 weight loss medications (like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro), and why crucial lifestyle changes (wraparound support) are necessary to maintain weight loss and muscle mass.
- The free local support available through Living Well, including free weight management offers (Slimming World, Apna, Brotherhood) and the BEEP (Bradford Encouraging Exercise in People) programme.
