A Healthy Community
Local
residents want Tower Hamlets to be a place where more people lead
healthy and longer lives, where differences within the borough are
reduced and where everyone has access to world class primary care,
community, mental health and hospital services.
At the moment, there are some stark differences in the quality
of health experienced by Tower Hamlets residents. Although life
expectancy is improving, and now stands at 73 years for men and 79
years for women, this compares with 82 years for men and 86 for
women in Kensington and Chelsea. There are also substantial
inequalities between groups within the borough, with the average
life expectancy for men in Millwall more than eight years greater
than for those in Bethnal Green North.
A poor diet, smoking and physical inactivity increase the risk
of serious illness, leading to a less enjoyable and shorter life.
This is of course true everywhere but Tower Hamlets currently has
some of the worst health figures in the country. Although
improving, the borough’s cancer mortality rate is the highest in
London and circulatory disease deaths are second highest. These
stark statistics are linked to Tower Hamlets having one of the
highest rates of tobacco use in the country, with a growing number
of people diagnosed with diabetes and other long-term conditions.
The proportion of people who are overweight or obese is also
predicted to increase.
More information
To find out more, contact us at consultation@towerhamlets.gov.uk
or call 020 7364 4058