Men in some of the poorest areas of Yarmouth and Lowestoft are likely to die 10 years earlier than the east of England average, new figures reveal.Life expectancy is just 69 in deprived areas of the two towns, according to a study by the Yarmouth and Waveney Primary Care Trust.
Men in some of the poorest areas of Yarmouth and Lowestoft are likely to die 10 years earlier than the east of England average, new figures reveal.
Life expectancy is just 69 in deprived areas of the two towns, according to a study by the Yarmouth and Waveney Primary Care Trust.
The towns also fall dismally short of the regional average on a host of other health indices ranging from cancer and heart disease rates to the percentage of smokers and obese adults.
Deprivation in Yarmouth's poorest Nelson ward - determined by the state
of health and levels of education and unemployment - is six times worse than
more affluent parts of the area.
The figures emerge in a comprehensive “health atlas” compiled by the PCT to shape a far-reaching health and well-being improvement strategy.
It plans to kick-start the work with a multi-million-pound investment when it finalises its budget for the coming financial year.
Director of public health, Dr Alistair Lipp, who has spearheaded the collection of data, said prevention and education would be an important plank of the strategy, with a number of community projects - some already being run as pilots - being rolled out across both towns.
.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here