A UK City Named the Hardest Place for Locals to Live Healthily
A recent report by the Department of Health & Social Care highlights the profound connection between our health and the environments we inhabit. It reveals that factors such as access to nutritious food, green spaces, healthcare services, and opportunities for physical activity are heavily influenced by geographic location.
Communities facing socioeconomic challenges often contend with higher rates of obesity, chronic illness, and mental health issues due to limited resources and infrastructure that support healthy living. The report emphasizes that improving public health requires not only individual lifestyle changes but also systemic efforts to create healthier, more equitable living conditions across the UK.
Medical experts at ZAVA sought to investigate exactly where it is hardest to live a healthy lifestyle in England. Their study combines data such as obesity rates, fast food outlet density, and green space access to reveal where healthy living is a breeze—and where it’s an uphill battle.
Wolverhampton Tops the List
Wolverhampton, a city in the West Midlands, has secured the top spot as the hardest place to live healthily, with a health deprivation score of 8.04/10.
The city faces a complex web of challenges that make healthy living particularly difficult for its residents. With 31% of adults classified as obese and 34% reporting no regular physical activity, Wolverhampton ranks among the worst in England for inactivity.
These statistics reflect a broader struggle with lifestyle-related health issues. Compounding the problem is the high density of fast food outlets—14 for every 10,000 people—which creates an environment where unhealthy eating is not only accessible but often more convenient than nutritious alternatives.
Stoke-on-Trent Ranks Second
Coming in second is Stoke-on-Trent, with a health deprivation score of 7.65/10. Despite excellent access to green spaces, with 98% of residents living within walking distance of parks, Stoke-on-Trent struggles with an obesity crisis, recording the second-highest obesity rate in England at 35%.
The city has about 10 fast food spots per 10,000 people, and nearly one in three adults (31%) remains physically inactive.
Top 10 Hardest Places to Live Healthily in England:
1. Wolverhampton
2. Stoke-on-Trent
3. Bradford
4. Sunderland
5. Doncaster
6. Derby
7. Portsmouth
8. Canterbury
9. Wakefield
10. Salford
The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted public health interventions and community support to help residents in these areas lead healthier lives. Addressing the availability of nutritious food, increasing access to physical activity opportunities, and improving healthcare services are key steps toward fostering stronger, healthier communities across the UK.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2115428/uk-city-hardest-locals-live-healthy