The Clinical Conditions Strategic Plan targets 12 health conditions making the biggest impact on people and challenges the NHS to do more to prevent ill health.

Dr Neil O'Brien, chief medical officer at North East and North Cumbria ICB, said: ‘For too long, people in our region have lived with worse health than the rest of England. We have shorter lives, more long-term conditions and higher rates of heart disease and lung cancer. One in five of us has anxiety or depression.

‘This needs to change. We have studied the data in detail, and it's clear which conditions are affecting people the most. So we will focus our work where we can have the greatest impact.'

The plan's top priorities for adults include cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as lung cancer, lower back pain, anxiety and depression.

For children, its focus is on diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, obesity, oral health, anxiety and mental health, autism and learning disabilities.

The plan also aims to address high rates of childhood obesity through new services including help with diet and psychological support.

Mental health support teams in schools will also be expanded and regular health checks for young people with autism or learning disabilities will be carried out.

Dr O'Brien added: ‘We have fantastic health services, but that's not enough. We can do more to prevent illness and help people stay well. That means help to stop smoking, and more checks to spot cancers earlier.

‘Our health is also affected by wider factors like housing, poverty and crime in our communities. We will work with councils and other services to help address these issues where we can.'