Enjoy a long healthy life - in Uttlesford
AN ANNUAL health check of Uttlesford has revealed that people are living longer, eating better and achieving more compared to other areas of the country. The figures were published as part of a national Health Profile study commissioned by the Department
AN ANNUAL health check of Uttlesford has revealed that people are living longer, eating better and achieving more compared to other areas of the country.
The figures were published as part of a national Health Profile study commissioned by the Department of Health.
The profiles, which provide a snapshot of health in each region, reveal that Uttlesford is one of the least deprived areas in the country.
Almost 80 per cent of the population of Uttlesford (about 70,000 people) fall into the least deprived category.
The average life expectancy for people living in the region is about 80 for men and 82 for women - almost two years higher than the national average on both counts.
Despite figures which show a healthy population, people should not be complacent said regional director of public health in the East of England, Dr Paul Cosford.
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"There are important things we can all do to improve our own health," he said. "Smoking and obesity are the biggest areas where we can make a significant impact in terms of improving people's health.
"There are almost one million smokers in the region [East of England], 50 per cent of who will die from smoking related diseases. Obesity, especially childhood obesity is another key priority, with poor diet and low levels of physical activity playing a crucial role."
Inequality still exists within Uttlesford and the report states that men from the least deprived areas can expect to live almost five years longer than those in Uttlesford's most deprived areas.
Also, road injuries and deaths are worse than the England average and one in 15 children in reception school is obese. The locality also suffers from poor access to services and poor public transport due to its rural nature.
The Health Profiles are produced by the Public Health Observatories and are designed to help local government and primary care trusts improve people's health.
To read the full health check visit www.healthprofiles.info
