Quarter of city is in 'deprivation'

MORE than a quarter of Plymouth's population live in deprivation, according to figures published today.

The city's health is “significantly worse” than England's average in 18 out of 31 categories, a new Government-funded report reveals.

These categories include deprivation, child poverty, violent crime, drug misuse, alcohol-related hospital stays, smoking in pregnancy and mental health problems.

The Health Profile 2008 shows 70,792 Plymouth people live in the 20 per cent most deprived areas of England. That is 28.8 per cent of the city's population, compared to the England average of 19.9 per cent.

The report states: “The health of people in Plymouth is currently worse than the England average on a number of indicators.

“There are health inequalities by location, gender, deprivation and ethnicity.

“Men living in the most deprived areas have, on average, more than five years shorter life expectancy than those in the least deprived.”

However, it also states that, overall, health in Plymouth continues to improve year on year, and there is much work going on by agencies across the city to improve the situation.

“Partnership work is targeted at communities with the greatest health need,” it says.

The figures show that while early deaths from heart disease, strokes and cancer in Plymouth are higher than the national average, they have fallen from last year.

Early deaths from heart disease and stroke are 92.2 per 100,000 population under the age of 75, compared to 101.5 last year.

Also, early deaths from cancer have fallen from 130.7 per 100,000 last year, to 124.1 this year.

And the number of obese children is lower than the national average – 8.6 per cent of children in reception year, compared to 9.9 per cent.

Alison Mackenzie, consultant in public health for Plymouth Primary Care Trust, said that while more still needs to be done, city agencies were working hard to tackle the inequalities.

She said: “In Plymouth, in partnership with the city council and voluntary and community groups, we have been targeting our resources to ensure that health inequalities are tackled.

“The results of this hard work are beginning to be seen. We are pleased that the health profile shows the year-on-year improvements in the health of the people of Plymouth continue.

“In particular it is good to see that the numbers of people dying from cancer and circulatory diseases continues to fall.

“However, there is much more to do, and we will continue working with people to support them to ensure that everybody in Plymouth has the best possible chance of living a long and healthy life.”

Local Health Profiles, published for areas across the country today, show considerable health inequalities in the South West.

The NHS in the region has pledged to reverse the trend in childhood obesity in the South West and match the highest life expectancy in Europe by 2013.

Dr Gabriel Scally, regional director of public health, said: “The health and welfare of children and young people has important implications for the future health of the whole population, and health inequalities at this age can have lasting effects throughout life and into other generations.

“Also, we shouldn't forget that a healthy life begins in pregnancy. Not smoking during pregnancy and initiating breastfeeding can have strong positive influences on the health of a child.

“The NHS in South West is committed to reducing health inequalities, and is part of the national Pacesetters programme, which is a national drive to help ensure equal access for all.”

The Health Profiles, produced for the Department of Health by the Association of Public Health Observatories, can be viewed here