Health plan underway for Nottingham women after shock ‘healthy life expectancy’ figure

Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham
By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter

Public health experts are planning to target smoking, diets, lifestyles and personal money problems as part of efforts to turn around a trend of poor health among Nottingham women.

‘Healthy life expectancy’ – the age at which a person could expect to live to before experiencing significant health issues – is just 56 for female Nottingham city residents. This is the second-lowest in the country just behind Blackpool.

The traditional life expectancy for women in Nottingham is 81.

Figures also show tobacco use is the leading cause of death and disability across Nottingham, followed by high body mass index, which refers to residents suffering with weight problems.

Diabetes, poor diets, high blood pressure, as well as alcohol and drug use are some of the other reasons contributing to early deaths.

Residents living in the poorest areas of Nottingham are also dying 12 years earlier than those in the more affluent areas.

Areas deemed as more deprived include Bulwell, Radford and Hyson Green.

A health plan is now being developed to tackle health inequality up to March 2025.

Four priorities will make up the plan – smoking and tobacco control, including cannabis use, obesity and healthy eating, severe multiple disadvantage such as homelessness and substance abuse and financial wellbeing such as stress and money worries.

Lucy Hubber, Public Health Director for Nottingham, spoke at a health and well-being board meeting on Wednesday, March 30.

She said the next three months will be critical as experts work through ways to ensure there are plans in place to address the four areas.

She said there is now a public health lead for each of the areas to find “the right approach” in dealing with the biggest health issues in Nottingham.

She said: “We will develop these plans and come back to this group on how we are going to make this strategy live off the page. We need all partners to come together and offer their resources to make a difference.”

Cllr Adele Williams (Lab), Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health at Nottingham City Council, said in a report prepared for the meeting: “As we begin to look at the future following Covid-19, there are some big challenges for our recovery.

“We know that our population has been hugely affected by Covid-19. Some people have struggled with keeping active or eating a healthy diet.

“Loneliness and anxiety have increased as a consequence of the measures taken to keep people safe, as well as the mental health impact of bereavement.

“It may be some time before we fully understand the impact on young people’s education and mental health.

“When I speak to people about their health and wellbeing, one of the main issues raised is worries about their income, such as feeding their family or heating their home.

“This has a huge impact on their ability to make healthy choices. Covid-19 has also exposed and exacerbated the difference in life chances of people who live in Nottingham. We need to make sure that our plans will reduce these inequalities.”

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