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Blackpool Faces Declining Male Life Expectancy, Revealing Health Disparities
In a concerning development, Blackpool has ascended to an unwanted position as the area with the lowest average male life expectancy in the UK, overtaking Glasgow for the first time in two decades. According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) study, men in Blackpool can expect to live just beyond their 73rd birthday on average, which is a stark six years shorter than the national average in England.
This troubling statistic underscores a broader truth regarding health outcomes in contemporary Britain: the correlation between wealth and health is significant, with poverty contributing to negative health outcomes. The ONS identified a pronounced “north-south divide” in life expectancy, confirming that those in affluent regions, like the Hampshire area of Hart, enjoy up to a decade more of life compared to individuals from the most underprivileged locations. Particularly, men in the south-east of England typically live three years longer than those hailing from the north-east, illustrating the stark contrasts across the nation.
The life expectancy gap has widened further since the Covid-19 pandemic, with Blackpool’s average male life expectancy dropping by 18 months since 2019. This decline is part of a more complex narrative interwoven with the town’s historical trajectory since its peak as a tourist destination over a century ago.
The tourist boom of the early 20th century led to an oversaturation of guesthouses, as British holidaymakers migrated toward sunnier locales, such as those found in Spain. The subsequent exodus of visitors allowed property developers to transform aging properties into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) to maximize profits, which often yield up to 20%, far exceeding the national average rental yield.
Consequently, Blackpool’s housing market has become characterized by extremely low rental prices, with a one-bedroom flat near the iconic Big Dipper rollercoaster available for just over £100 a week—less than half the national average for similar accommodations. This affordability, however, attracts individuals experiencing financial difficulty and poor health.
Dr. Arif Rajpura, director of public health for Blackpool council, is confronted with the task of addressing the town’s alarming health indicators. The mortality rate among those under 75 is notably high, with Blackpool recording disproportionately high rates of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, earning it recognition for having the worst statistics in these categories across England.
Describing his public health team as a “paid nuisance,” Dr. Rajpura highlights the proactive stance they take against harmful developments, consistently opposing planning applications for new fast-food outlets and gambling establishments. His stance against Blackpool Football Club’s partnership with a betting company in 2018 exemplifies his commitment to rethinking health sponsorships that could adversely impact community well-being.
According to Dr. Andy Knox, a GP and population health leader in Lancashire and south Cumbria, only profound systemic changes to the public health framework can begin to address escalating health inequalities in the UK. He argues for comprehensive reforms in council funding mechanisms, improved collaboration between the NHS and local authorities, and the consideration of innovative national policies, such as a sugar tax.
Dr. Knox further urges that the complexity of health issues should not be reduced to individual lifestyle choices. He emphasizes, “This is not about lifestyle choice. The reasons behind unhealthy behaviors are often deeply rooted, frequently linked to childhood trauma.”
The situation in Blackpool is exacerbated by its significant proportion of children in care—nearly three times the national average, according to statistics. Dr. Knox illustrated how these children often experience a difficult start in life, receiving inadequate dental care and facing the challenges associated with growing up in material poverty. With 70-80% of these children living in the poorest quintile of the UK, the spiral of health and socioeconomic adversity continues.
A recent report from the council revealed that the town endures drug death rates four times the national average and alarming statistics related to smoking and alcohol-related deaths, in addition to substantial mental health challenges.
Experts assert that addressing health issues “upstream,” before they become chronic and fatal, is essential. However, the commitment to long-term preventive health measures has waned following austerity cuts initiated by the former chancellor George Osborne. According to a council report, Blackpool has suffered greater financial losses than wealthier areas, losing a staggering one-third of its central government grant funding during this period, in contrast to the 15% reduction faced by more affluent boroughs.
These trends result in a calculated deficit of about £1,400 per person in public spending over the past decade, with a reduction of £10 per person in public health grants since 2013. Karen Smith, director of health and care integration at Blackpool council, expressed the need to shift focus toward early intervention and prevention, yet acknowledged the challenges posed by overwhelming daily pressures faced by residents.
Source
www.theguardian.com