COVENTRIANS are unhealthier than the national average while there remains a significant gap in life expectancy between the richest and poorest.
An annual public health report for Coventry has revealed residents smoke more, drink more and do less exercise than the national averages.
It warns of pressures on public services such as an ageing population, increasing inequality and financial strain contributing to poor public health.
There remains a gap of nearly 10 years in life expectancy between someone living in the city’s richest and poorest wards.
Of those who drink, around three quarters drink more than the recommended daily amount of 2-3 units at least once a week.
The number of people smoking is higher than the national average of 15.5 per cent, at 16.3 per cent in Coventry (over 16 year olds).
The city falls significantly below the national benchmark for eating the recommended ‘five-a-day’ of fruit and vegetables.
Just over 46 per cent of residents manage this compared with 52 per cent nationally.
Only 59 per cent of adults are physically active which is much worse than the UK average of 66 per cent.
The report – by Coventry’s director of public health Liz Gaulton – states this means walking, cycling, dancing, gardening, sport or playing active games for more than two and a half hours per week.
Around 64 per cent of Coventry adults are overweight – also higher than the national average.
Being overweight means your body mass index (BMI) is between 25 to 29.9 – while between 30 to 39.9 means you are obese.
BMI is the measurement of whether you are a healthy weight for your height.
If you are a 5 foot 10 inches man (UK average height), you are overweight if you are heavier than 80kg or 12 and a half stone.
If you are a 5 foot 5 inches woman (UK average height), you are overweight if you are heavier than around 67kg or just over 10 and a half stone.
Coventry is nearing the NHS’ ‘red threat level’ of 65 per cent of its population overweight or obese.
The report predicts that by 2028, there will be an estimated 58,200 residents aged over 65 and 8,600 aged over 85.
It says the population of those over 75 is projected to increase by nearly half over the next 20 years.
It found men in Coventry can expect to live a fifth of their lives in poor health while for women this is closer to a quarter.
Coventry’s director of public health Liz Gaulton said: “Although Coventry is seen as a young city, the growth of the older population is accelerating.
“There is a worrying stall to the gains in improving life expectancy, which is replicated nationally.
“The cause for this reversal of gains seen since records began in the 19th century is not completely understood, but there are suggestions that prolonged austerity and cuts to public services may be contributing.”
Coventry City Council cabinet member for health Kamran Caan said: “In 2017/18 we placed a focus on building services with residents to ensure they are as adaptable, efficient and effective in delivering successful services.
“Achieving this will not only help residents enjoy a healthier, longer life, but will also reduce the demand for existing services. We all know the vast difference changes in lifestyle can make to our overall health, especially in older age.
“Keeping active, eating well and not smoking are some of the key things we can all concentrate on in achieving a healthier, happy life for everyone.”
Coventry is performing better since the annual public health report was first compiled in 2012 with life expectancy rising by around one per cent.
In 2012, 24 per cent of residents in Coventry smoked and nearly three quarters of adults did not eat their ‘five-a-day’ of fruit and vegetables – that rate is now 49 per cent.
The Coventry Director of Public Health’s Annual Report will be presented to council at a Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Monday (October 8).
