Poor health blamed on poverty

from IC Cheshire Online

THE high level of strokes and heart attacks in Halton has been blamed on deprivation and widespread poverty throughout the borough.

Residents in Runcorn and Widnes are some of the unhealthiest in England and Wales, with people living in the poorest parts of the borough lucky to live to be 74 -- five years less than the combined national average for men and women.

The links between poor health and deprivation are clear to see with a gap in life expectancy of more than six years between the poor and affluent areas of the borough.

Halton has one of the highest incidences of strokes per population in the UK and more people die from strokes and heart attacks than almost anywhere else in England.

The Halton-based Let's Go stroke club has more than 200 members. Bob Bryant, chairman of the club, was left wheel-chair-bound after suffering five strokes.

He said: 'Five people a week have a stroke here. People should have the same health wherever they live, but this is a deprived area and that makes a difference.'

And it is not just strokes that Halton has to worry about. Deaths from smoking and cancer are higher than average and nearly a quarter of adults regularly binge-drink with admissions to hospital for alcohol-related conditions the second highest in England.

Sexually transmitted diseases, drug abuse and tooth decay are also causing big health problems in Halton.