Sheffield ranks among UK’s cities where residents are most likely to get sick
If you live in Sheffield, you might notice more coughs, colds, and sick days than in other parts of the UK, and it’s not just coincidence. A recent study finds that the city is among the places where residents face higher health risks, particularly when it comes to respiratory problems and exposure to germs in daily life.
The study, conducted by Legacy Healing Center, looked at six main things that affect health: asthma rates, hospital admissions for respiratory problems, air pollution, weekly sick leave, germs on public transport, and annual sunshine. Each factor was scored to show how much it adds to the chance of getting sick, with a final score from 0 to 100. The data came from Public Health England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Met Office.
Sheffield ranks twelfth in the study. The city has high asthma prevalence (7.3%) and hospital admissions for respiratory illness (110 per 100,000). Residents face moderate air pollution (7.2 out of 10) and some public transport germ exposure (4.52%). Annual sunshine (1,485 hours) is decent, but it isn’t enough to fully offset the other factors affecting residents’ health.
Ben Fox, spokesperson for Legacy Healing Center, commented:
“In places with high air pollution, even a short walk to work can trigger coughing or make asthma worse for some residents. In busy urban areas, germs spread more easily on public transport, which is why you often see higher rates of colds and respiratory infections in cities compared to smaller towns. It’s not just one factor, it’s the combination of the environment, lifestyle, and the day-to-day pressures people face that shapes overall health.”
“But there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself. Simple steps like washing your hands regularly, taking public transport during less crowded times, or choosing outdoor routes with cleaner air can really help. At home, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, eating balanced meals, and getting some physical activity each day goes a long way. Even small habits, like ventilating your home or taking short breaks outside during the day, can add up to a noticeable difference in how often you get sick.”
Rounding out the top ten are Chesterfield (1st), Salford (2nd), Manchester (3rd), Wigan (4th), Liverpool (5th), Bradford (6th), Wakefield (7th), Kingston upon Hull (8th), Leicester (9th), and Birmingham (10th).
List of the top 20 cities where you’re most likely to get sick:
| Rank | Area | Asthma Prevalence (%) | Number of Hospital Admissions for Respiratory Disease | Air Pollution | Weekly Employee Sick Leave (%) | Public Transport Germ Exposure (%) | Annual Sunshine Hours | Total Score |
| 1 | Chesterfield | 8.1 | 124 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 3.53 | 1,265 | 64.89 |
| 2 | Salford | 5.9 | 171.9 | 7.3 | 2.7 | 5.02 | 1,265 | 63.58 |
| 3 | Manchester | 5.9 | 163.7 | 7.5 | 2.2 | 6.58 | 1,385 | 61.70 |
| 4 | Wigan | 7.6 | 150.3 | 6.9 | 2.4 | 2.42 | 1,378 | 57.55 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 6.1 | 167 | 6.7 | 2 | 6.52 | 1,573 | 56.55 |
| 6 | Bradford | 7.6 | 133.2 | 6.9 | 2.4 | 3.77 | 1,384 | 56.04 |
| 7 | Wakefield | 7.7 | 133 | 7.1 | 2.3 | 2.83 | 1,384 | 55.27 |
| 8 | Kingston upon Hull | 6.3 | 156.7 | 7.2 | 2.6 | 4.07 | 1,575 | 54.92 |
| 9 | Leicester | 5.1 | 134.1 | 8.3 | 3.7 | 3.95 | 1,452 | 54.43 |
| 10 | Birmingham | 6.3 | 135.3 | 7.7 | 2.1 | 5.24 | 1,501 | 53.63 |
| 11 | Nottingham | 5.6 | 126.3 | 8.1 | 2.3 | 6.27 | 1,487 | 52.81 |
| 12 | Sheffield | 7.3 | 110 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 4.52 | 1,485 | 51.95 |
| 13 | Norwich | 7.3 | 110.6 | 7.5 | 3.8 | 2.76 | 1,611 | 51.68 |
| 14 | Stoke-on-Trent | 6.6 | 144.3 | 7.2 | 1.7 | 3.13 | 1,448 | 50.83 |
| 15 | Sunderland | 6.8 | 145.3 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 3.76 | 1,551 | 48.72 |
| 16 | Walsall | 6.7 | 124.1 | 7.9 | 0.9 | 3.57 | 1,386 | 48.54 |
| 17 | Preston | 6.5 | 145.7 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 3.79 | 1,367 | 48.19 |
| 18 | Doncaster | 7.3 | 129.3 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 2.95 | 1,517 | 47.89 |
| 19 | Southampton | 6 | 140 | 6.7 | 3 | 4.10 | 1,706 | 47.48 |
| 20 | Coventry | 5.4 | 143.7 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 4.29 | 1,507 | 47.03 |