Britain's north-south divide: People in south are richer, healthier and live longer

 

Last updated at 17:43pm on 22nd October 2007

Obese Britain: Whilst obesity is a growing problem across Britain, the report found it is particularly bad in the north

 

People living in the south are likely to be richer, healthier and live longer lives than their counterparts in the north, a government report shows today. The Health Profile of England 2007 published by the Department of Health reveals a stark north-south divide in the country's health across many factors.

The report's main findings were:

• Men in the North East and North West live for more than two and a half years less than those in the South East and South West, the figures show.

• The proportion of men in the North East who think their health is "not good" is almost double that in the South East.

• The rate of admissions to hospital for alcohol-related conditions is almost two and a half times higher in the North West than in the East of England and the number of binge drinking adults is highest at 25.1 per cent in the North East compared with 15.4 per cent in London.

• The North East also has the highest rates in England for early death from cancer and deaths from smoking-related diseases.

• Five-year-olds in the West Midlands have, on average, one decayed, missing or filled tooth. In the North East and North West, the average is two teeth in the same age group.

 

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But the divide is not just limited to health, as the figures show a north-south discrepancy for income and under-18 conception rates.

A total of 17.3 per cent of the population in the North East is income deprived compared with 8.4 per cent of those in the South East.

Meanwhile, 29.9 per cent of children in London live in poverty compared with 14.2 per cent of those in the south east.

The under 18 conception rate is highest in the North East, at 51.2 per 1,000 girls compared with 33.6 per 1,000 in the East of England and the South East.

Across the whole of England, under-18 pregnancy rates are falling as are rates for early death from cancer, circulatory diseases and road accidents.

But the figures showed a somewhat bleak picture across some factors, when the UK was compared other European countries.

 

Binge drinkers struggle to keep upright

 

Britons drink more alcohol, eat less fruit and veg and are more likely to die from smoking than the average European. While life expectancy is at its highest level yet, there are problems tackling public health issues.

Rates of obesity, diabetes and alcohol-related admissions are rising across England and there are stark differences between the health of people in the North and South, today's report showed.

The figures showed that 3.3 per cent of men and 2.5 per cent of women in England had diabetes in 1998, rising to 4.8 per cent of men and 3.6 per cent of women in 2003.

Death rates from cancers and circulatory diseases are falling and the infant death rate is at its lowest level yet in England.

Despite declining teenage pregnancy rates, the UK still has the highest proportion of births to under-20s compared to other western European countries.

There are also 288.60 deaths per 100,000 people from smoking-related causes in the UK compared with an EU average of 263.70.

The UK has the highest rates of adult obesity and Britons drink 11.37 litres of pure alcohol per person compared with an EU average of 10.95 litres.

People in the UK eat an average of 207.40kg of fruit and vegetables each per year compared with a EU average of 232.47kg.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "This report shows that mortality rates from cancers, circulatory diseases and suicides are declining.

"Infant mortality has reduced and is now at its lowest ever level.

"But there is still a lot to do in tackling health inequalities. To address this we have already announced major improvements to GP services across the country - greater flexibility in opening times, and over 100 new GP practices in the 25 per cent of PCTs with the poorest provision.

"Whilst we have made good progress in stopping people smoking, I am determined to move further and faster to respond to all these challenges - with a cross Government drive to tackle obesity, improve diet and activity levels and promote safe and sensible drinking.

"This country is already regarded as leading the way in key elements in the fight to tackle obesity, for example our approach on food labelling, restricting advertising to children and evidence collected through the Foresight report.

"Our ambition is to reverse the rising tide of obesity and overweight in the population, by enabling everyone to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

"Our initial focus will be on children: By 2020, we aim to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels."

She added: "We are improving much faster in areas such as circulatory disease and cancer than the European average and delivering better treatment to more people than ever before, saving thousands of lives.

"But we know there is much more to do. Lord Darzi's review of the NHS sets out a vision for a world class health service that is safer, personalised, fairer and more effective."

Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "The Department of Health has identified rising rates of diabetes as a particular challenge to the health of people across England.

"Tackling both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes must be a priority for the Government.

"There are now 2.2 million people in the UK living with the condition and up to a further 750,000 who have Type 2 diabetes but don't know it, all of whom are potentially facing years of ill health and reduced life expectancy."

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "Ten years of Labour Government has left us with widening health inequalities and a crisis in public health.

"We must urgently examine why we are the only European country with rising alcohol consumption and an increase in alcohol-related deaths - particularly amongst women and young people.

"It is shocking that England is still the fattest nation in Europe.

"Government action on the issue has been half-hearted at best.

"Monitoring overweight kids will do little more than name and shame those with a problem unless schools are given a follow-up plan and the resources to encourage a healthier lifestyle."

People living in the south are likely to be richer, healthier and live longer lives than their counterparts in the north, a government report shows today.

 

well thats all connected, isnt it?