Regional Minister Nick Brown formally launched the area's first ever health and well-being strategy in February 2008.
The wide-ranging proposals aim to make people living here the healthiest in the country within a generation.
Early milestones include the opening of a regional alcohol office called Balance which will try to change the culture around drinking. Smoking rates have also dropped significantly and the fight against obesity is well and truly joined.
Regional Director of Public Health Professor Stephen Singleton welcomed the positive developments – but warned that everyone involved needed to keep the momentum going.
Regional advisory groups
Regional advisory groups to take forward the proposals in Better Health, Fairer Health have been established, with nine chairs already confirmed.
