Widespread inequalities in health and wealth
SHEFFIELD'S health is better than it was five years ago but there are still widespread inequalities between the wealthiest and poorest areas, says the city's Director of Public Health.
Figures in today's A Tale of Two Cities show a stark divide between life in different parts of the city.
In the wealthiest area – Hallam ward, which covers areas including Ranmoor, Fulwood, Broomhill and Dore – residents have a life expectancy of 88, compared to an average life expectancy of just 75 in nearby Netherthorpe – 13 years less.
Dr Jeremy Wight, NHS Sheffield's Director of Public Health, says the findings of the report comes as no surprise as the city's health picture is mixed. There has been an overall improvement in health but people in wealthy areas are gaining most benefit.
He said: "The last five years have seen a significant rise in life expectancy in a relatively short time. Overall, health is absolutely better in Sheffield than it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago.
"There is still inequality in the city, still serious poverty, and poverty is a major driver for ill health."
But he said tackling health inequalities is not as simple as diverting resources, as there are limits on budgets and competing demands.
Dr Wight said: "We can't stop funding in one area and swap to others, that's not how it works."
NHS Sheffield is tackling inequality by running health programmes in disadvantaged areas on how to get the best out of health services. Because of a lack of understanding or knowledge of the NHS, some people don't get help quickly so are diagnosed later and as a result may not do as well.
"What we are finding is that people in poorer parts of the city are not using their GP as much as people in better-off areas," said Dr Wight.
"The middle class know how to use health services better than people who are less well off, less educated. If you have chest pain – it could be angina – you need to tell people in Darnall and Tinsley they need to get it checked out. In Totley and Dore, you don't, they know what to do."
Services are also being set up to give residents better access to NHS care on their own doorstep – such as new a dental surgery in Manor, where children have some of the worst-decayed teeth in the city.
Residents are also being encouraged to take more responsibility for their health – by stopping smoking, becoming more physically active, eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and moderating alcohol.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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