Gloomy picture of town's health

A MAJOR new review of Warrington’s health needs is under way – and already paints a gloomy picture of inequality, rising levels of obesity and alcohol consumption and slowing rates of improvement in life expectancy.
The initial findings of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for Warrington is the work of officers from the borough council and Warrington Primary Care Trust.
It forms the basis of a new duty for PCTs and local authorities to co-operate to provide a top level, holistic view of health and social need in Warrington.
A report to be considered by the council’s executive board says the JSNA paints a picture of inequality over a wide range of measures.
“There is very clear evidence that areas of greater deprivation suffer poorer health outcomes and that deprivation is a determinant of serious ill health and life expectancy.
“In these areas, residents experience poorer levels of employment, educational achievement, lifestyle risk factory (such as smoking and obesity), crime and income.
“Residents suffer higher levels of chronic diseases, disability and premature death.
“In Warrington, incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, circulatory diseases, emergency and mental health admissions are also clearly linked to levels of deprivation.”
Children’s health problems are also linked with deprivation – and the report says current efforts to improve health through diet, exercise, etc are not resulting in the required impact.
Rates of improvement in life expectancy in Warrington are slowing and the inequality gap is widening.
“The gap between Warrington and England is expected to widen if current trends continue.”
The number of people aged over 85 is expected to double by 2026 while the 35-49 age group will fall more than any other age group.
The report says older people in Warrington are likely to have more pain and disability than the national average.
Experts believe levels of chronic disease in Warrington and currently under-estimated by 50 per cent or more.
Levels of obesity and alcohol consumption are rising sharply with forecast increases in diabetes, cardiovascular and liver diseases.
The first phase of the document is currently being circulated for consultation with health professionals and children’s services. A wider consultation will take place when the second phase of work has been completed.