Health inequalities in York are growing post-Covid – with certain areas of the city particularly hard hit.
A new report, prepared for a meeting of the health and wellbeing board today (Wednesday), has revealed some of the biggest health problems in the city.
It includes the fact that one area of the city is among the most deprived in the country.
According to the national index of deprivation, which ranks areas on various factors including health, income, employment, crime, education and housing, York has one area within Westfield ward with a population of 1,647 that is in the 10% most deprived in England.
It is centred around the Kingsway West area, including Windsor Garth.
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A further six areas, including Clifton and Hull Road, with a population of nearly 9,500, sit within the bottom 20%.
The health and wellbeing report also reveals:
- York life expectancy varies by up to six years for men and eight years for women depending on where you live
- over the last decade we have only seen improvement in life expectancy for the more affluent population groups, widening health inequalities
- there are three times as many preventable deaths in York’s most deprived areas than in our least deprived areas
- one in three Year 6 pupils in York is overweight
- the proportion of overweight children ranges from 8% in Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe to 20% in Westfield and Hull Road.
The report says: “Inequalities in the city were growing and the impact of Covid-19 on this was gradually becoming clearer.”
The health and wellbeing board members aim to identify actions, expectations and timescales in order to counteract health inequalities in York at today’s meeting.