Adults and children in the East Midlands are more physically active than the national average according to a regional health profile revealed this week.
The health profiles for 2010 have been published by the Association of Public Health Observatories with the aim of giving a picture of the public’s health in each region and show that in the East Midlands the overall health of residents is improving.
Comparing different levels of key health issues, the profiles look at everything from early deaths from heart disease to healthy eating. These health snapshots can then be used to support action by local government and NHS primary care trusts across the region to tackle health inequalities and improve people’s health.
This year the report shows that both adults and children in the region are significantly more active than the average for England. Health organisations in the region run many programmes to encourage physical activity to improve health, including the Change4Life campaign which was launched in April last year across the East Midlands, with the aim of helping families eat healthily and keep active.
The key points from the 2010 health profile for the East Midlands include:
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The health of people in the East Midlands is generally close to the national average, with deaths in men and women from all causes being only slightly higher.
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However, there are still health inequalities in the region. People living in more deprived areas within the East Midlands tend be less healthy than those living in more affluent areas.
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Although we have fewer deaths from all causes, life expectancy is lower than the national average for both men and women.
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Hospital stays for alcohol related harm are better than the national average.
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Levels of child tooth decay (at age five) are also below the national level.
David Walker, Director of Public Health at NHS East Midlands, said: “This year’s health profiles provide a useful overview of on the health status of the population of the East Midlands and are a valuable tool to help health organisations to shape local health care. They highlight that there are still inequalities within the East Midlands and continuing to improve these issues remains our priority. It is encouraging to see that adults in the East Midlands are living more active lifestyles, demonstrating the effectiveness of health campaigns such as Change4Life."
Prof Brian Ferguson, Chair of the Association of Public Health Observatories in the UK & Ireland said: “Health Profiles give a representation of people’s health for every local authority area in England. They help to start community discussions about what services are needed and how they should be provided. The profiles encourage people to engage with public health issues by providing health related data in a clear, accessible format.”
