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Five questions we're often asked about Suffolk's population, health and wellbeing
We generate a huge amount of data, research and insight, but knowing where to start can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you're developing a strategy, writing a funding bid, planning a service, or simply interested in your local area, there are a few questions we get asked a lot.
1. What is the JSNA anyway?
JSNA stands for Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
In simple terms, it is Suffolk's evidence base for understanding the health and wellbeing of local people. It brings together data, research, local intelligence and community insight to help identify current and future needs.
The JSNA covers a wide range of topics, from children and young people, mental wellbeing and ageing well, to carers, women's health and many other areas. It helps ensure that decisions are informed by the best available evidence.
2. Where can I find data about Suffolk?
One of the most common requests we receive is simply: "Where can I find the data?"
A good starting point is the Suffolk JSNA and Suffolk Observatory, which bring together a wide range of information about the county and its communities. We also use national sources such as the Census, Office for National Statistics datasets, NHS data and public health data tools.
For people who want to explore local areas in more detail, Local Insight is particularly helpful because it brings together information on population, deprivation, housing, employment and community assets, making it easy to build a picture of an area and compare neighbourhoods across Suffolk.
3. I've heard Suffolk is getting older. Is that true?
Yes. Like many areas of England, Suffolk has an ageing population, with increasing numbers of residents in older age groups. This has implications for housing, transport, communities, health services and social care.
However, different places across the county have different population profiles and trends. Looking beyond county averages is often where the most useful local insights can be found.
4. What are health inequalities?
Health inequalities are avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health between different groups of people.
They can be seen in many ways, including differences in life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, long-term health conditions and access to opportunities that support good health. Factors such as income, housing, education, employment and the environment all play a role.
One of the key purposes of the JSNA is to help identify and understand these differences so that action can be targeted where it is most needed.
5. How do we know what local people need?
There is no single dataset that can answer this question.
We combine information from many sources, including statistics, research, service data, surveys and engagement with local communities. Insights gathered through organisations such as Healthwatch Suffolk also help us understand people's experiences of services and everyday life. Looking at these different types of evidence together helps us build a more complete picture of Suffolk's strengths, challenges and future needs.
Good population insight is about more than collecting data. It is about combining evidence from different sources, understanding local context and turning information into action.
Want to explore further?
The Suffolk JSNA, Suffolk Observatory and Local Insight platform are all designed to help people better understand Suffolk and the communities that make it unique. Whether you're looking for information about your local area, developing plans for the future or simply exploring the evidence behind Suffolk's population, health and wellbeing, they're a great place to start.
View our JSNA products using the JSNA searchable index below:
Four for you:
- Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: The final Department of Health and Social Care report detailing the findings of the independent review into the prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.
- Births in England and Wales: 2025 (final rates) Office for National Statistics data on live births, stillbirths, maternities and fertility rates by factors including age, parents' country of birth, ethnicity, gestational age, and birthweight.
- Provisional wildfire statistics for England, 2010 to 2026: Provisional Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government statistics on wildfires in England, including incidents, casualties and the fire and rescue service appliances used.
- Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2025:Office for National Statistics data on cigarette smoking habits among adults in the UK, including how many people smoke, differences between population groups, changes over time and use of e-cigarettes.
This month the JSNA workplan is focused on:
- Finalising a women's health profile
- Continuing work on a new sexual and reproductive health needs assessment
- Continuing work on the unpaid carers health needs assessment
- Starting new profiles on end of life and respiratory health
- Compiling evidence for the Annual Public Health Report 2026
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.
