Liverpool awarded Marmot City status in recognition of commitments to health and wellbeing

Liverpool City Council has been formally awarded Marmot City status, a distinguished national recognition of the city’s dedication to reducing health inequalities and improving the overall wellbeing of its population.

The accolade was conferred by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, a globally renowned expert in health equity, during his official visit to the city on 23 April 2025. The visit served to acknowledge and highlight Liverpool’s concerted efforts to address the fundamental social determinants of health, including poverty, substandard housing, insecure and low-paid employment, and unequal access to education and services.

These broader socio-economic factors significantly influence life expectancy and quality of life. Current data indicates that individuals living in some parts of Liverpool face life expectancies up to 15 years shorter, and may spend as many as 18 additional years in poor health, compared to residents in more affluent areas.

Liverpool’s Marmot City strategy is underpinned by the landmark report, The State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040, which outlines the depth of health disparities across the city while showcasing innovative measures already being implemented to tackle them.

In response to these challenges, the city has established the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool (FHL) Partnership—a strategic collaboration between Liverpool City Council, the NHS, voluntary and community sector organisations, and other key stakeholders.

The Partnership is committed to:

• Implementing actions aligned with the Marmot Eight Principles
• Strengthening cross-sector partnerships
• Enabling community participation in shaping health solutions
• Prioritising early intervention and prevention
• Embedding health equity and fairness into all public policies and services

Notable initiatives include the city’s ‘Health in All Policies’ framework, which integrates health considerations into urban planning, housing, and regeneration strategies. Additionally, the Healthy Boost Project is delivering direct support to families through the distribution of fruit and vegetable vouchers—aimed at improving nutritional outcomes, mental health, and general wellbeing.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing said:   

“Being recognised as a Marmot City reinforces our determination to build a Liverpool where every resident can thrive. 

“It places health and equity at the centre of our future, ensuring that the next generation of children and young people grow up in a city where wellbeing is prioritised, and prevention is embedded into everything we do. 

Professor Matt Ashton Director of Public Health said: 

“This recognition is a proud moment as becoming a Marmot City confirms our commitment to health equity not just in policy, but in people’s everyday lives. 

 “We are expanding our focus to cover all eight Marmot principles, embedding community voices at the heart of decision-making, and driving change that is led by evidence and grounded in the lived experiences of our residents.”  

Find out more on the Fairer Healthier Liverpool website.

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