Thursday, February 12, 2015

Little has changed since the 30s



Stockton-on-Tees borough now has the greatest inequality in male life expectancy in the country - and the gap has widened in recent years. In stark contrast, life expectancy in areas like Eaglescliffe is as good as in the most affluent parts of the country.

The life expectancy of men living in the poorest parts of Stockton has barely improved since the 1930s, reveals a shocking new report. In stark contrast, life expectancy in areas like Eaglescliffe is as good as in the most affluent parts of the country.

A man can now expect to live 16.4 years less in Stockton Town Centre - the most deprived ward in the borough - compared to a man in Eaglesciffe, among the most affluent areas. The gap for women is 11 years.

Peter Kelly, director of Public Health for Stockton and the author of the Public Health Annual Report for 2013/14, said: “This is a shocking statistic in a developed country such as ours and in an age when we have such medical and technological advantages.” Mr Kelly said when it came to the life expectancy of men in disadvantaged wards “not a great deal of progress from the 1930s” had been made. 


Tobacco remains the single biggest cause of death and as much as 45% of people in parts of some wards smoke. Almost 1-in-3 pregnant women are still smoking at delivery. Alcohol, drug misuse, poverty, lifestyle choice, childhood obesity and sexual health are also major issues facing health professionals. The proportion of obese 11-year-olds in Stockton Town Centre is more than double the proportion of obese five-year-olds. Children in parts of Stockton borough also suffer “extremely poor” dental health, even by the age of five, the report also found.

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