Statistics reveal Newham health improving

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Monday, May 7, 2012
8:00 AM

Health bosses in Newham have welcomed the latest statistics released by public health observatories although they reveal the borough has some of the lowest scores in London.

Figures compiled by the UK’s network of 12 Public Health Observatories have highlighted stark differences in a number of health indicators among residents in boroughs such as Newham, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham and the likes of Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames and Kensington and Chelsea which scored the highest.

However a spokeswoman for North East London and the City said the figures actually show that the health of local people is generally improving across Newham.

She said the profiles show that Newham has an improving life expectancy for men and women since the last annual health profile was produced.

Male life expectancy has increased by 0.6 years and females by 0.2 years. Now that more recent statistics on life expectancy have been produced, these also show that male life expectancy has been maintained at 76.2 years (2008-2010) and that female life expectancy has increased by 0.6 years to 81.1 years (2008-2010).

In addition to this, the early cardiovascular disease death rate and early cancer death rates have decreased since the last annual health profile, and also show a continued decrease with more recent data (2008- 2010).

She said the improved health outcomes may be related to improved access for local people to the best available services or through the increased uptake of healthier lifestyles.

NHS North East London and the City has been working to improve access to world class health services for Newham’s population. An example is the rapid access heart services at the London Chest Hospital, which recently treated the footballer Fabrice Muamba).

Rachel Flowers, director of public health in Newham for NHS North East London and the City and Newham said: “Over 2,000 people quit smoking in Newham every year using NHS services. This means that each person who stops smoking will save themselves an average of £2,400 a year. This is a massive saving for household budgets.”