Health threats could be on the rise

3:19pm Wednesday 5th December 2007

PEOPLE in Herefordshire are healthier than the national average and live longer, but that situation could be in danger.

In a new report, county health chief Dr Frances Howie says health levels could change for the worse in the future because of "increased risk-taking behaviour".

"The gap between our mortality rates and those elsewhere is narrowing, and smoking rates, alcohol abuse and obesity levels are all of concern here," she said.

"There are particularly worrying signs that our young people may be developing lifestyles which are associated with poor health outcome, and smoking, alcohol abuse and obesity are most relevant in this context."

She said that as in other counties, there is a link between between high social deprivation and poor health, but Herefordshire's special challenges include an ageing population, and an immigrant community about which little is known.

Areas of concern include the female death rate from stroke, the male death rate from accidents, and the death rates from some skin cancers.

With regard to children, there was a small increase in numbers of deaths in the first year of life in 2005, and also numbers of babies born with low birth weight. The rates remain below average but there is a gradual increase in infant mortality. Child dental health is poor, People live longer than average, 77.6 years for men and 82.4 years for women. Although county life expectancy is higher than in England or the West Midlands, the gap is narrowing.

Dr Howie, of Herefordshire Primary Care Trust, says people in Herefordshire take slightly fewer risks in the areas of sexual health, smoking, drinking alcohol and obesity, than in the West Midlands generally.

"However, a significant number of people here do take risks, and the levels of risk-taking are far higher in some social groups than in others," she said. "Major challenges lie ahead in tackling worrying patterns of behaviour, particularly with regard to obesity and alcohol abuse."