Mental health, smoking and poor diet will be targeted in a new campaign to make people in Tendring and Colchester happier and healthier.
The stark disparity of life expectancy levels in the region has forced the North East Essex Primary Care Trust (PCT) to search for ways to halt the polarity.
At a meeting on Tuesday morning, the PCT invited representatives from across Tendring and Colchester to a presentation on targeting those in need.
Those present included district, borough and county councillors plus academics and doctors.
A recent health report found that people in Dedham have a life expectancy 13 years higher than those in Pier Ward, Jaywick and deprived areas in Colchester.
Paul Zollinger-Read, chief executive of North East Essex PCT, said: "We need a detailed map of exactly who lives in our region, their lifestyles, diets, and access to healthcare, so we can initiate a new programme to target them more efficiently."
- More in today's Gazette
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