Who we are

The London Health Commission (LHC), who ran The Big Smoke Debate, is an independent, high level, strategic partnership that seeks to improve the well-being of all Londoners and reduce inequalities in health. The LHC promotes a co-ordinated approach to the factors that influence health in London , and does this by:

Building partnerships involving the health sector, local and national government, the private sector, community and voluntary groups
Influencing decision-makers
Providing support for local action

Set up by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, in October 2000, the Health Commission was created from a partnership of organisations that came together in May 1999 to develop a strategy to improve the health of Londoners.

The Commission applies the following core principles in fulfilling its purpose:

Active engagement and inclusion of citizens, communities and key constituencies in London
Promoting partnership working that is inclusive, sharing, visible and committed
Expanding and sharing information, ideas and learning about health, the determinants of health and other relevant issues
Commitment to equity and diversity

For more information on the work of the London Health Commission, please visit our website at www.londonshealth.gov.uk .