Leeds: Smoking Responsible For Large Gap In Health Inequalities

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 14 Apr 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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There is a difference in life expectancy of over 10 years between the most and least affluent areas of the city and according to new reports, health inequalities remain endemic and show signs of incresing.

The main causes of the differences in death rates within Leeds are chronic lung disease, lung cancer and heart disease, largely due to smoking.

Two reports into public health has been launched in Leeds: Measuring the Gap and the Director of Public Health (DPH) Annual Report.

Action recommended in the DPH report includes tackling vascular disease and smoking-related illness, providing incentives and support to people to look after their own health, and ensuring poorer communities have access to services.

Director of Public Health, Dr Ian Cameron, said: "Health inequalities remain endemic in our city and some are showing signs of increasing. These reports are an important step forward for the health and well-being of the people of Leeds."

The two reports suggest the future direction of services and urge that different organisations work together to improve health.

It is widely recognised that physical and mental health are heavily influenced by income, employment status, housing, educational achievement, poor diet, social isolation, access to services, leisure opportunities and overall environment.

Peter Harrand, the authority's executive member for health and social care, said: "The work we have done together in producing this information has been very important in showing both what we have achieved in terms of reducing early deaths but also how much we still have to do to make sure that everyone in Leeds has better life chances.

http://www.ash.org.uk