Life in Plymouth is poor, short and unhealthy
A QUARTER of Plymouth's children live in homes
dependent on benefits, 14 per cent of the city's
total population are dependent on benefits and early death
rates from cancer and heart disease are above the national
average.
That is accodring to new national health profiles released by
the NHS and Government today.
The profile also shows that on average men in Plymouth have a
shorter life expectancy than in the rest of the UK and the
death rate from smoking is higher here than in the rest of the
country with smoking killing 470 people a year.
A high proportion of people in Plymouth rate their health as
'not good' and the rate of people claiming sickness benefits
necause of mental health problems is above the national
average.
Hospital admission for alcohol specific conditions is also
above the national average.
The profile also shows, by ward, how areas compare in
deprivation to the rest of the UK. Plymouth has areas that fall
in both the least and most deprived categories.
Most of Devonport, all of St Peter and the Waterfront and
parts of Peverell, Ham and St Budeaux are among the most income
deprived areas of England.
At the other end of the scale parts of Budshead, Southway,
Plympton and Plymstock are among the least
income-deprived.
The profile shows Plymouth is significantly worse than the
national average for income deprivation, homelessness, children
in poverty, violent crime, healthy eating in adults, male life
expectancy, deaths from smoking, heart disease and cancer,
feeling in poor health, mental health, hospital stays due to
alcohol, drug abuse, and children's tooth decay.
The city is significantly better than average in GCSE results,
adult obesity, road injuries and deaths, diabetes and the rate
of old people having hip fractures.
See the full profile
"http://www.healthprofiles2008.info/profiles/hp2007/lo_res/00HG-HP2007.pdf"> here
22 Comments
View all
by Andrew, Ivybridge
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:58PM
“The fact that you live in Plymouth makes unmeasurable difference. Firstly, it varies on each area and second (most importantly) it depends how you live your life. Statastics are just an average. If you don't smoke, eat well, don't binge drink and excercise you will live longer. Simple as that!”
by Molly, Sutton
Sunday, June 29 2008, 3:49PM
“Would anyone here object to a total ban on tobacco?”
by Lydia, Plymouth
Saturday, June 28 2008, 5:39PM
“Perhaps benefits should not be given to smokers, but instead give them food tokens. I know this is a bit extreme, but if they can't be trusted to feed their children a healthy diet because they spend their money on cigarettes, then they don't deserve to be trusted with money that is intended to ensure that their children are kept healthy. Oh, and frozen chips, burgers, sausages and suchlike should be excluded from the food tokens.”
by jc, plymouth
Saturday, June 28 2008, 1:53PM
“thoughtful plymouth,i did not intend to anger you in anyway,what i meant was if you know first hand of a child that is being neglected to the extent of going to school hungry,then report it,the children in these circumstances can do little or nothing about their situations,it is all of ours responsability to report such concerns,please if you do know of children that are being neglected report it”
by jc, plymouth
Saturday, June 28 2008, 12:27PM
“thoughtful plymouth,i did not intend to anger you in anyway,what i meant was if you know first hand of children that are not being fed,report it,i respect what you say about paying taxes etc,but the children in such circumstances can do little or nothing about their circumstances,what i was saying was if you know of children that are being neglected please report it”