College fighting to make Lanarkshire Healthy
New College Lanarkshire (NCL) is hosting two major public health events this June to combat grim new statistics about healthy life expectancy in North Lanarkshire.
Latest figures from the National Register of Scotland found people in North Lanarkshire can expect just 52 healthy years, the lowest in Scotland, and in response the College is launching its new ‘Better than 52’ campaign.
Professor Christopher Moore, Principal and Chief Executive of New College Lanarkshire, said: "A healthy life expectancy in North Lanarkshire of 52 years is not what any of us want or can accept. At New College Lanarkshire we are resolved to play our part to secure healthier lives for people in our communities. We know that education leads to healthier lives. Our Better than 52 programme is the bold, focused and determined way in which we will rise to this crucial challenge.”
The two conferences in Coatbridge will bringing together health specialists, educators and community organisations for a wide-ranging discussion of how to improve people’s health in North Lanarkshire.
The Keynote speaker at the Women's Health Symposium Tuesday 2 June will be Professor Anna Glasier, Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Women's Health Champion for Scotland. The day will involve Q&A sessions and practical workshops covering the clinical and social issues shaping women's health in Lanarkshire. Key themes include brain health and women's health, domestic abuse and financial inequality, hospice care and neurodivergence.
The next day the Men's Health Symposium will focus on men's physical and mental health, with an emphasis on prevention, behaviour change and community connection. Themes include young men's mental health and masculinity, behaviour change and preventative health, and sexual health awareness.
Keynote speakers include Dr Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Scotland, and Heather Connolly, Chair of the Division of Health Psychology Scotland and Principal Health Psychologist at NHS Scotland.
Both events are free and open to all. They form part of NCL's broader commitment to addressing health inequalities in North Lanarkshire, which includes the college's Wellbeing Academies across its three campuses, Scotland's first college-based Brain Health module developed in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, and it’s Better Than 52 campaign.
The Women's Health Symposium takes place on Tuesday 2 June 2026 at New College Lanarkshire. Registration: [Women's Symposium Eventbrite link]
The Men's Health Symposium takes place on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at New College Lanarkshire. Registration: [Men's Symposium Eventbrite link]