People living in the North West of England have some of the highest rates of illness in the country - particularly compared to their southern counterparts, according to new research.
A recent study carried out by the Health Foundation found that women living in the poorest areas of the country have the same level of illness as someone 16 years their senior living in the wealthiest parts.
On average, a 60-year-old woman living in the most deprived areas - which include some boroughs of Greater Manchester - will have the same level of 'diagnosed illness' as a 76-year-old woman living in the richest part of the country.
READ MORE: The Greater Manchester streets where women's life expectancy is lower than in Colombia
Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man living in the poorest areas of England will on average have a level of illness equivalent to that of a 70- year-old man living in the wealthiest areas.
According to the Indices of Deprivation, which was last published in 2019, boroughs such as Oldham have a significant proportion of wards within the most deprived 10 per cent or 20 per cent in England on almost all of the measures within the IMD - which include crime, employment, income, education skills and training, and health.
Using local hospital and primary care data, the study found that for most of their lives, people living in the poorest areas of England, on average, have more diagnosed illness over 10 years earlier than those in the richest areas. And while inequality in life expectancy is greater for men than for women, women face greater disparity in the amount of time spent with diagnosed illness.
A woman living in the poorest areas has a life expectancy five years shorter than those in the wealthiest areas. She will spend more than half (44 years) of her shorter life in ill health compared to 46% (41 years) for a woman in the wealthiest areas. A 60-year-old man will be expected to live up to the age of 78, dying nine years earlier than someone in the wealthiest areas.
The report unearthed that those living in the North West and North East have the highest health care needs of anywhere else in the country- primarily due to higher levels of chronic pain, alcohol problems, COPD and cardiovascular disease.
Children and young people living in poorer areas were also found to be more likely to be living with conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, and to experience alcohol problems.
The Health Foundation have concluded that the data "adds" to the existing evidence of a north-south health divide. Jo Bibby, Director of Healthy Lives at the Health Foundation, said: "The NHS wasn’t set up to carry the burden of policy failings in other parts of society.
"A healthy, thriving society must have all the right building blocks in place, including good quality jobs, housing and education. Without these, people face shorter lives, in poorer health. This has a big economic impact, with many older workers now leaving the labour market due to ill-health.
"Both leadership candidates have committed to taking forward the levelling-up agenda, including the commitment to improve life expectancy in the most deprived areas - but this can only be achieved via concerted action across practically every government department.
"The delayed Health Disparities White Paper provides an opportunity to outline such a plan. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss should both commit to addressing health inequalities if they become Prime Minister – and delivering for red wall areas and disadvantaged communities across the country."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Mum on her heartbreaking last moments with 'incredible' daughter as she died in hospital bed next to her
- 'Huge search and rescue operation' in Bury in early hours
- Road taped off in Denton with emergency services at scene
- Dad who died after stabbing was 'killed by his own knife', inquest hears
- Stockport life captured in brilliant throwback photos - from dinner ladies to David Beckham
