In Herefordshire 23% of the adult population are inactive, 14% are smokers and 65% are obese. Around 40% of all deaths in England are related to behaviour and the NHS spends more than £11bn a year treating illnesses caused by the effects of diet, inactivity, smoking and drinking alcohol.

A ground-breaking new campaign to help adults across the country avoid future diseases caused by modern day life, called One You has been launched. This aims to encourage adults, particularly those in middle age, to take control of their health and enjoy significant benefits now, and in later life.

In Herefordshire the number of hospital admissions for alcohol related conditions were 1055 (2013/14), there were 1902 (2014/15) admissions for smoking related conditions and 563 (2013/14) for obesity related conditions.

Latest figures show that life expectancy at older ages is at record levels, yet many are spending their retirement living with ill health. Currently fifteen million Britons are living with a long-term health condition, yet studies show living healthily in middle age can double your chances of being healthy when you are 70.

The new campaign from Public Health England will help adults in Herefordshire to move more, eat well, drink less and be smoke free. One You will also provide information on how people can reduce their stress levels and sleep better.

It is encouraging adults to start by taking a new online health quiz, called ‘How Are You’. This innovative quiz provides personalised recommendations based on your results and directs people to tools and advice to help them take action where it’s most needed. Over half (56%) of 40-60 year olds taking the ‘How Are You’ quiz said they were likely to change their lifestyle to improve their health because of the feedback it gave them.

For more information, and to complete the quiz, visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/how-are-you now