MEN and women living in the most deprived areas of Coventry can expect to live 10 years less on average than people in more affluent parts of the city, according to a new public health report.
The Director of Public Health has produced an annual independent assessment of the city’s health and wellbeing.
This year’s report, Bridging the Health Gap, focuses on improving and managing health and social inequalities.
Liz Gaulton, director of public health and wellbeing at Coventry City Council, said: “In Coventry, the average healthy life expectancy for men in the most deprived areas is just under 11 years fewer (10.9) for men and 10 years fewer for women, as their counterparts in the least deprived neighbourhoods.”
The report focuses on prevention and early intervention to address a range of health inequalities. This includes the kind of life a person is born into and where they live; the environment they grow up in; access to education, employment and life chances; as well as lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, diet and physical activity.
Coventry falls below the national average In many areas of health and wellbeing.
This includes children’s development by the age of five. Fewer children at this age achieve a good level of development (68 per cent) than nationally (72 per cent). This continues into Year 6 (age 10), where the proportion of children reaching the expected standards in reading, writing and maths is below the national average.
There are more 16 and 17-year-olds in education, employment or training than the national average. But, the level of qualifications gained by people in Coventry are generally worse than the country as a whole, with some areas of the city having more than 28 per cent of residents who have no qualifications.
Obesity continues to be a priority with higher than average rates for children and adults.
On starting school in Coventry, 24 per cent of children are overweight or obese. This increase to 38 per cent in Year 6.
Overweight and obesity rates continue to rise into adulthood, with almost 65 per cent of adults in Coventry classed as overweight or obese – reaching the NHS’ ‘red threat level’. Just 53 per cent of adults report they do the recommended 150 minutes of activity per week.
When it comes to smoking, drinking and drugs, 33 per cent of adults who smoke live in the 10 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods of Coventry. Although Coventry has a very successful smoking cessation service, national data shows that people from poorer areas, while more likely to take up smoking cessation services, are less likely to be successful due to the additional barriers they face.
Hospital admissions in Coventry for alcohol related illnesses are much higher than national rates, as well as higher rates of alcohol related deaths. In relation to drug abuse, almost twice the proportion of those in treatment live in the most deprived local authorities.
And as winter approaches bringing colder temperatures, 15.3 per cent of households are estimated to be in fuel poverty, ranging from 38 per cent in areas of greatest deprivation to five per cent in the most affluent areas.
Cabinet member for public health and sport at Coventry City Council, Councillor Kamran Caan, said: “We understand that health inequalities are often the product of social injustices, poverty and deprivation. We are working across the city to bring services together and coordinate action through a joined up One Coventry approach so that people across the city can live long, happy and healthier lives.
“Health and wellbeing have already started to improve in the city, with this year’s inspiring Year of Wellbeing across Coventry and Warwickshire, and important legacies continuing into 2021 City of Culture, particularly in addressing issues such as social isolation and mental wellbeing through art and culture.
“Everyone in our city deserves the same life chances and entitlement to good health and wellbeing and we will continue to deliver joined up, cost effective approaches to reducing health inequalities across our society.”
