England’s ‘bad health problems’ REVEALED… so use this interactive map to see if your region is one of them

A report shows that people living in some parts of Britain are three times more likely to be in poor health than people in other parts of the country.

Researchers say there is a ‘major gap’ in health and wealth nationally – and often the ‘double injustice’ is that the least well-off are also the sickest.

The Institute for Public Policy Research analyzed data from England and Wales to highlight ‘bad health problems’.

It found that illness and ill health are clearly linked to low productivity, high poverty and persistent unemployment.

Strikingly, one in four people who are ‘economically inactive’ live in just 50 of the 330 local authorities surveyed.

People in Liverpool are almost three times more likely to be in poor health than those in Oxfordshire, and twice as likely to be unemployed and not looking for work or in full-time education.

Overall, people living in the most deprived parts of the country are more than twice as likely to be in poor health as those living in the most affluent parts of the country – and about 40 percent more likely to be economically inactive report.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the economic inactivity rate for those aged 16 to 64 is 20.8 per cent – ​​the equivalent of 8.7 million people.

The IPPR found that northern cities and their surrounding areas, towns in the Midlands, coastal towns and rural areas had the lowest life expectancy and years of good health compared to affluent places.

It also found more people receiving Personal Independence Allowance, lower overall wealth, lower per capita household income, poorer early years development scores and lower rates of NVQ4+ qualifications.

Looking in detail, one in ten people in places such as Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham report poor health, compared to around one in 33 in Hart in Hampshire, West Oxfordshire and South Oxfordshire.

A total of 34 percent of working-age people in Liverpool and Manchester are economically inactive, while in Nottingham the figure is 39 percent.

The report states that ‘having a good job’ is good for both mental and physical health, and reduces the risk of premature death.

However, the report warned that work no longer provides a reliable route out of poverty, with 68 percent of working-age adults in poverty living in a household where at least one adult works.

Meanwhile, the risk of falling into poverty, even in families where two people work full-time, has more than doubled over the past twenty years (from 1.4 to 3.9 percent).

The highest levels of in-work poverty were found in London, Wales and the north of England, the report said.

To solve the problems, the study recommended a framework called Seven for Seven, which lays the foundation for a healthy life – including healthy bodies, a safe home, a great start to life and freedom from addiction.

The IPPR also wants to see new Health and Wealth Improvement Zones (HAPI), with powers to invest, levy local taxes and carry out missions in the worst-affected areas.

For example, more power could be given to regional mayors, allowing them to introduce local taxes on things like alcohol, junk food and tobacco.

A recruitment drive for public health specialists is also needed, in addition to creating new local internship opportunities and setting up a national voluntary health service, the report said.

Professor Donna Hall, IPPR Commissioner and former CEO of Wigan Council, said: “People working in local government and health are trapped by a lack of resources, support and choice to serve their local people. People don’t feel heard and their health suffers.

“The new HAPI zones would serve as an innovative response to growing poverty and poor health, putting power in the hands of local leaders and encouraging local ownership over the future of public health.”

Efua Poku-Amanfo, research fellow at IPPR and lead author of the report, said: ‘The case for public spending and action on health is clear. Not only is it the morally right thing to do, it is also the economically sensible thing to do.

‘Poor health conditions, particularly in the north-east and north-west of England and south Wales, are hampering national economic growth and holding back the nation’s wealth and health.’

A Government spokesperson said: ‘We aim to increase healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 and reduce the gap between local areas by 2030, including by investing up to £14.1 billion to improve healthcare and help people to help you live longer and healthier.

‘Our Key Conditions Strategy will look at the prevention and management of conditions responsible for more than 60 per cent of ill health and our plans for a smoke-free generation will make a significant difference, with people in more deprived areas almost doubling are so likely to die from smoking-related conditions.

‘Our Back to Work plan will also help an additional 1.1 million people find and retain work that suits their needs, including through integrated mental health care such as NHS talking therapies.’