The importance of place

Alison While

The events in Afghanistan at the end of August have highlighted the importance of place, both geographically and temporally. Individuals belong to communities through their social ties, shared culture and location, which provides context for their everyday lives. Only the most hard-hearted would not be moved by the plight of Afghanistan and its citizens as they enter a new era of government and all that it will mean for the citizens of that country.

The importance of place in England is also emphasised by the latest Chief Medical Officer's (2021) annual report, where it is acknowledged that COVID-19 has reinforced local variations in health and certain geographies. In particular, some coastal communities, including coastal villages, towns and cities, despite being tourist destinations, have some of the worst health outcomes in England, with low life expectancy and high rates of long-term conditions. Coastal communities attract older people for their retirement, which increases health need, as they inevitably age and develop health conditions, and many guest houses have been repurposed as houses of multiple occupation as the tourist industry has changed over the years; they are now filled with people seeking low-cost housing and who are struggling economically. Not only has the tourist industry changed, but other sources of employment have also become scarce, such as fishing and port work, so unemployment is high, and much existing employment is seasonal. Compounding the challenge is the difficulty of attracting health and social care staff to the support services, which may be perceived as having fewer career opportunities and poor transport links. While each coastal community reflects its unique blend of history and culture as well as its geography, old resort towns and old fishing and trading ports may share common challenges that are distinct from the towns and cities located in their hinterlands. The 10 case studies (chapter 1) make interesting reading and suggest ways in which challenges may be tackled successfully, and chapter 6 outlines the benefits of coastal residence in terms of the natural environment and opportunities for nature-based social prescribing (UK Government, 2021).