Men and women in the city live on average 2 years less than in England overall.
And within the city itself, there is a gap of around 7 years for men and 4 years for women between the most and least affluent areas of the city.
Now public and voluntary sector organisations in the city are being invited to bid for funds for projects that improve and protect the city's health - and the health of the poorest fastest.
Launching the Public Health Transformational Fund 2013 to 2014 this week, Councillor Sandra Samuels, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "With the return of public health to the local authority this April, funds were transferred from the Primary Care Trust to the council.
"We have set aside £2 million over 2 years to enable council departments, public, private and voluntary sectors to work together more effectively to tackle our city's poor health.
"Even in austere times, focus on health is absolutely vital because it underpins the economic regeneration of our city and communities.
"A healthy population is more likely to prosper, to be employed, to enjoy life and to remain independent for longer. The return of public health to the local authority gives us the opportunity to involve people from a wider range of perspectives and disciplines in improving residents' health."
Each project can apply for a maximum of £250,000 per year for 2 years and must demonstrate good value for money. The 3 rounds of applications for the 2013 to 2014 funds open in September, early December and early February 2014.
For further advice on proposals, contact Neeraj Malhotra, Consultant in Public Health on 01902 558673.
- released: Friday 27 September, 2013