People in York’s wealthiest neighborhoods live up to 11 years longer than those in the poorest areas, as health inequalities continue to rise.
People living in York’s most deprived areas are dying more than a decade earlier than those in the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods, according to a new report by the City of York Council. The gap in life expectancy has now grown to 11 years.
In the affluent Copmanthorpe ward, women live to around 92 on average and men to about 87. In contrast, in the poorer Westfield ward, women live to 80 and men to 76.
The council’s report warns that these health trends are moving in the wrong direction. It notes a rise in poverty, joblessness, overcrowded housing, obesity, and substance abuse in deprived communities.
The findings were presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board, which is working on a strategy to reduce health inequalities in the city by 2032.
Peter Roderick, York’s director of public health, said more people are living longer in poor health. Compared to a decade ago, men in York now spend an extra 2.4 years in poor health, while women spend 3.6 more years in ill health.
Roderick highlighted some of the city’s current efforts, including brain health cafés, in-school teeth brushing programs, and welfare advice to help address the growing gap.
However, concerns were raised during the board meeting that upcoming national changes to disability benefits could worsen the situation. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, campaigner Flick Williams said the government’s proposed welfare cuts are going in the “wrong direction.”
“How are council services preparing for the tsunami of need coming your way?” she asked the board.
Government officials said the goal of the reforms is to reduce the rising cost of welfare and better support those who can return to work while protecting those who cannot.
Labour councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, the council’s health spokesperson, said the city remains committed to supporting vulnerable residents, especially those affected by the government’s proposals.
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