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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