Health of community put into sharp focus

We’ve known for some time that the health of our community needs attention. Even pre-pandemic, the statistics on health across Sunderland made for grim reading when compared to national averages.

The figures we reveal today bring those concerns into sharp focus.

And it is the worryingly low number of years men and women spend in good health that will hopefully spur people into action.

According to figures from Sunderland City Council, men in Sunderland spend 57 years in good health compared to 63 years nationally and for women the gap is wider at 56.5 years compared to 63.9 nationally.

There is no one reason for these disturbing figures, but it’s clear that action needs to be taken to redress the balance. The council’s Healthy City Plan is a step in the right direction. But it is clear that individuals too can play a part in improving their health.

Inequalities and deprivation are without doubt key factors, but smoking, alcohol intake and obesity rates are something that individuals can strive to improve.

Cabinet Member for Healthy City, Cllr Kelly Chequer said: "Covid has put a renewed focus on health inequalities across the UK and Sunderland is no exception. This refresh and update acknowledges the huge impact of the pandemic on health inequalities, the current health challenges in our city and the role that everyone plays in improving health.”

To see improvements post-pandemic, the community must work together to put things right.