Building blocks of health
What are the building
blocks of health and wellbeing?
Our health is shaped by the world around us – from good-quality homes, to stable jobs, social connections, and neighbourhoods with green space and clean air. These factors are what we call the building blocks of health and wellbeing. While access to health and social care impacts our health and wellbeing, these building blocks have a far stronger impact.
But right now, not all of us have equal access to what we need to live long and healthy lives.
Some of us will be surrounded by green spaces where we can exercise and play, warm, safe places to call home, and strong community links to lean on for support and wellbeing. Others of us might work long hours, juggle multiple jobs, or are struggling to get by after the bills are paid — holding us back from good health.
When one building block is missing, our health suffers. For example, if our homes fall into disrepair, damp spreads, or we face rising energy, housing, and food costs, it can take a mental and physical toll.
When more than one is out of place, it can lead to stress, illness, and even cut our lives short.
Explore the building blocks
Having steady work is good for our health and wellbeing. The right job can do so much more than just pay the bills. It can bring financial stability, a sense of purpose, and achievement. When we’re in good, stable employment, we’re more likely to stay mentally and physically well.
But when jobs come with low pay, poor conditions, or unstable hours, they can take a toll. It doesn’t just affect health directly — it also limits what we can afford, making everyday life harder to manage. And if we’re out of work — and the longer we stay unemployed — the more our health can decline, making it even harder to keep our heads above water and get back into employment.
To really thrive, we need communities that feel safe, supportive, and easy to get around. Places where we can meet up, find help when we need it, or simply pick up what we need to get through the day. From things like the local corner shop, bakers or supermarkets to Doctor’s surgeries, pharmacies, libraries and community centres.
When there aren’t places to meet, safe paths to cycle, or reliable transport, communities can quickly feel disconnected. And with fewer chances to connect, we become isolated and over time, loneliness can lead to serious physical and mental health challenges.
Safe, warm, affordable housing is a cornerstone for good health. It’s somewhere that keeps us warm and makes us feel safe. Somewhere affordable enough that we’re not forced to make impossible choices – like between paying rent or putting food on the table.
When homes aren’t affordable, it takes a real toll on our health. If too much of our income goes on rent or mortgage payments, while trying to keep up with rising housing costs, there’s less left for essentials.
When we don’t have certainty over where we’ll be living – from month to month, or even one week to the next – or are worried about being moved on short notice or not being able to stay long-term – it creates a constant sense of instability.
And right now, millions in the UK live in homes that don’t meet basic standards. Poor housing isn’t just uncomfortable — it can cause serious problems like respiratory illness and ongoing stress.
Access to nature, green spaces, and clean waterways makes us healthier. Whether it’s a leafy park or woodland to walk through, sitting by the edge of a stream, lake or at the seaside, or simply clean, fresh air outside your door – being able to get out in nature improves our lives in ways we often don’t realise.
But air pollution and climate change are harming our wellbeing. In fact, 12 million children in the UK are growing up in areas where pollution levels exceed WHO safety limits. Poor air quality also doesn’t affect everyone equally, with children and people from deprived communities or ethnic minority backgrounds more likely to breathe toxic air.
The more income we have, the easier it is to access all the building blocks for good health. When there’s enough money coming in, life feels more manageable. We can plan ahead and make choices that support our health without a second thought — like buying fresh food, turning the heating on when it’s cold, or taking time off work to rest and recover when we’re unwell.
But when money is tight, that freedom disappears. We start having to make impossible choices — between paying the rent and filling the fridge, between buying school uniforms and topping up the gas meter. The stress builds. We might skip meals to make food stretch. We might ignore health problems because we can’t afford the bus fare to the doctor, or the unpaid time off work.
Our health starts taking shape long before adulthood. Supportive relationships and positive experiences build confidence, resilience, and healthy habits. A good education and strong friendships open doors and strengthen wellbeing.
But not all children have the same start in life.
When our childhood is marked by hardship, like poverty or upheaval, it can leave lasting scars, increasing the risk of stress, mental health struggles, and physical issues down the road. When things start to pile up, over time it can take a serious toll on their mental health.
