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Photo by Marian May on Unsplash
As always, we welcome comments, feedback and suggestions.
We also welcome your photos of Suffolk to use in a future blog!
Email us at: knowledgeandIntelligence@suffolk.gov.uk
New coastal communities research for Suffolk
We have published new research about Suffolk's coastal communities.
Suffolk’s coastline is one of our greatest assets—rich in natural beauty, heritage, and community spirit. But like many coastal areas across the UK, it also faces persistent challenges that affect the health, wellbeing, and opportunities for those who live there.
This work combines robust data analysis with powerful local voices, helping us understand both the broader patterns and the personal realities that shape life in these places.
What stands out is the positivity and pride people feel about where they live. But the research also highlights challenges, from affordability and transport to the impacts of climate change.
This work is more than a report—it’s a springboard for action. It will help ensure that the unique needs of Suffolk’s coastal communities are recognised.
New population estimates for England and Wales - Mid 2024
The latest mid-2024 population estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have just been released, offering fresh insight into how communities across England and Wales are changing. Suffolk’s population continues to grow and is now estimated at 786,231 (+1.1% compared to mid-2023) . These figures are vital for planning services, understanding local needs, and shaping future strategies.
To help residents, planners, and decision-makers explore the data in more detail, the ONS has published an interactive tool that allows you to view population trends in your local area. Whether you're interested in how your district compares to others, or how the age profile of your community is shifting, the tool provides a user-friendly way to explore the numbers. You can try it out below or via the link here: ONS Population Estimates Interactive Tool.
Suffolk Oral Health Profile
We’ve released a new profile that highlights key data and insights into oral health across Suffolk.
What is the profile about?
You can view the oral health profile and find all our JSNA reports via the JSNA searchable index.
Recent national publications:
- The Nuffield Trust’s article How good are general practices in England at recording who is an unpaid carer highlights that just under a million carers are missing from general practice records. Recording of carer status remains inconsistent and fragmented, with the report calling for improved coding and systematic approaches to better support carers.
- A new Guarding article “Third of UK teenagers who vape will go on to start smoking, research shows” reports research that a third of UK teenagers who vape will go on to start smoking tobacco, meaning they are as likely to smoke as their peers were in the 1970s.
This month the JSNA workplan is focused on:
- Finalising the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)
- Finalising the healthy weight needs assessment
- Finalising physical activity profile
- Planning the Annual Public Health Report 2025
- Scoping new profiles on alcohol, substance misuse, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and respiratory health
The Suffolk Observatory
The Suffolk Observatory contains all Suffolk’s vital statistics. It is the one-stop-shop for data, statistics and reports all about Suffolk provided by a variety of organisations.
Through data, reports and analysis, the Suffolk Observatory provides a comprehensive picture of the county and is a great source for useful facts and figures that will help you write reports and presentations, inform strategic and business planning, prepare funding applications or support academic research.
