Thursday, 8 December 2011
Men in the least deprived communities of Wales can expect to live in good health for 19 years longer than those in more deprived parts of the country.
Similarly, the difference for women is 18 years.
This is one of a number of new findings published in a report today (8 December).
The report produced by the Public Health Wales Observatory also shows gaps in healthy life expectancy at a local level. It illustrates huge disparities in the quality of life of those living in the same local authority area.
The data shows that local authorities with the widest disparities in levels of deprivation have the biggest inequality gaps, reaching 22 years in Cardiff and Swansea.
Nationally, the inequality gap in life expectancy has slightly widened over time. The gap between the two has risen to 9.2 years for men (previously 8.6) and 7.1 for women (previously 6.5).
Dr Judith Greenacre, Director of Health Intelligence for Public Health Wales said, “This is powerful information and it needs a powerful response if we are to give the same opportunities to those brought up in Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.
“This report shows that people in poorer areas of Wales not only die sooner, but also spend more of their shorter lives in poorer health. These differences are not inevitable and need urgent attention.
“This report was produced for the Welsh Government, local authorities, NHS and people themselves so we can all take action.
“For the first time those working in local communities have access to information about their area to allow them to target their resources and take action.
“Men and women can expect to live for longer and most people can look forward to spending most of their lives in good health.
“Nonetheless, there remain differences in health and wellbeing across Wales and the rest of the UK, and the reasons for this are complex.”
Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales said, “Reducing health inequalities is a priority for the Welsh Government and remains a key theme within the Public Health Framework Our Healthy Future.
“The Welsh Government’s action plan Fairer Health Outcomes For All, along with the report of the Bevan Commission, sets out the work that needs to be done and we are committed to taking it forward. This report is a helpful resource for use locally and nationally”
The report has been produced by the Public Health Wales Observatory to increase understanding and monitoring of health inequalities at a local and national level in support of delivery of local and national strategy.
Profiles have also been produced for each of the 22 local authorities and highlight inequality gaps within the local authority area.
The report also looks at trends in mortality due to alcohol and smoking and from circulatory disease, respiratory disease and cancer in the most and least deprived areas. The report found that inequality gaps for mortality from alcohol and smoking are particularly wide in Wales.
The reports are available from the Public Health Wales Observatory website at: www.publichealthwalesobservatory.wales.nhs.uk/inequalities
News articles about the profiles at Health Board level have also been produced and can be viewed from the links below:
Source:
Public Health Wales
