Life expectancy gap to be cut in Westminster

The City Partnership is now developing a strategy to tackle the health inequalities that exist within Westminster. This is one of their top priorities for the coming year.

Dr Guy said: "There continues to be a large gap in life expectancy between the electoral wards with the highest and lowest life expectancies - a gap of nearly eleven years for men and over nine years for women - although this gap has narrowed by nearly five years since 1999."

Baby boys born in the Lancaster Gate ward can expect to live on average until they are 83.9 years, nearly eleven years longer than those born in the Churchill ward, where average male life expectancy is 73 years.

Baby girls born in the Tachbrook ward can expect to live on average until they are 79.7 years - nine years less than those born in the Knightsbridge and Belgravia ward, where average female life expectancy is 88.8 years.

The report shows that the differences in life expectancy mirror the pattern of deprivation across the city - household income and employment are both key factors.

In one part of the Queen's Park ward, all children are living in income deprived families, the highest proportion in the country.

Ninety nine per cent of children in part of the Church Street ward are living in income deprived families.

People living in the most deprived areas also tend to smoke more and are more likely to be obese.

Deaths from heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer account for over three quarters of the gap in life expectancy between the least deprived and the most deprived areas of Westminster.

Dr Guy added: "Evidence shows that the best way to cut these health inequalities in the short term is to improve the care of people with cardiovascular disease (particularly coronary heart disease and stroke) and to improve the care of people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease by improving the management of cardiovascular risk factors - particularly smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.

"We believe that there may be as many as 30,000 people with undiagnosed high blood pressure in Westminster, who may be missing out on vital treatment - as well as 2,500 people with undiagnosed heart disease and 1,700 people with undiagnosed diabetes.

"Supporting residents to choose a healthy lifestyle, focusing in particular on supporting them to eat a healthy diet, to take regular exercise and to quit smoking, is expected to have the greatest impact on tackling inequalities in the medium term.

"Promoting the health of mothers and children will also have an impact in the short, medium and long term.

"Tackling the wider determinants of health inequalities, such as low income, unemployment and poor housing, is also essential if we are to have a sustained impact on reducing health inequalities in the longer term."

Leader of Westminster Coucil Cllr Colin Barrow said: "The Council recognises that it faces tough challenges, particularly in some of the most deprived parts of central London.

"Westminster is not alone in these challenges which are evident in inner city areas across the country.

"We remain committed to delivering effective services that will make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged families."

A full copy of the Public Health Annual Report 2006/07 is available from www.westminster-pct.nhs.uk/keypriorities/annualreports.htm#phar0607