Reply to comment

Published: 19 November, 2010
by TOM FOOT

THE colossal task facing Islington Council’s Fairness Commission is revealed in a major NHS report. 

The commission – chaired by celebrated author of The Spirit Level, Professor Richard Wilkinson – has set out to bridge the social gap between rich and poor in Islington. 

But NHS Islington’s annual health report shows how its attempts to tackle “stark differences” and “clear inequalities” have so far failed.

Report author Sarah Price, director of public health at NHS Islington, said: “Other London boroughs have managed to successfully reduce the gap in life expectancy but in Islington this has not yet happened.” The NHS Islington 2010 Annual Public Health report warned of “clear in­equalities in life expectancy and mortality in Islington” and “stark differences in some wards”. It said: “Those living in the most deprived areas have a lower life expectancy.” 

The number of suicide at­tempts are 50 to 100 times hi­gher than the national average.

Men in Islington have the shortest lives in London, on average lasting for 75 years and one month. Half of deaths in the borough are among people under 75 years. The two big fatal illnesses are cardiovascular disease and cancer, particularly lung cancer – with high cholesterol, smoking and obesity all contributing to the number of early deaths.

Health campaigner Shirley Franklin believes the economic cuts will only make the situation worse. She said the low life expectancy is caused by stress and poverty as Islington is the eighth poorest borough in the country and that un­healthy lifestyles are linked to poverty.

Ms Price said: “A recent report from the National Audit Office shows that Islington is the only deprived London borough which is not on track to close the inequalities gap by 10 per cent by 2010 for both men and women. We need to reflect on why this might be.”

She said it was important to continue “skilling” the workforce and that “robust pathways” were available for people at risk of suicide.