Health in Birmingham

Introduction
‘Be healthy’ is about ensuring that people enjoy long, healthy and fulfilling lives. We want to ensure that Birmingham people live longer and live well, enjoying rich cultural experiences.

Health inequalities are driven by inequalities in society. They are affected by many different factors, such as lifestyle, material wealth, educational attainment, job security, housing conditions, and the health service they receive.

Data collected over many decades shows that average life expectancy in Birmingham is lower than the UK average. This is particularly true of male life expectancy which is nearly two years lower than the UK average. However, it is the difference in life expectancy within Birmingham which is most dramatic: there is over twelve years’ difference between the life expectancy of males in the ward with the lowest figure (Nechells) compared with the highest (Sutton Trinity). Birmingham has also as an infant mortality rate which is nearly one and a half times that of the England average.

It is important to note that life expectancy is increasing very rapidly across the UK and in Birmingham. Over the last decade life expectancy has increased by over 3 years – leading to a pattern of a significantly larger older population. This has – and will continue – to ensure growing demand for health and adult social care services.

Promoting healthy lifestyles for Birmingham’s residents is critical in combating diseases, reducing health problems and reducing the mortality rate.

Key Facts and Statistics
 The latest data (2007-2009) indicates the average male life expectancy in Birmingham is 76.4 years, whereas the UK average is 77.7 years  The ward with the lowest male life expectancy in the whole city is Nechells, and this has been the case for a number of years  The difference in male life expectancy in the worst and best wards in Birmingham is nearly 12 years  For females the gap is 8 years  The average female life expectancy in Birmingham is 81.4 years, compared with a UK average of 81.9 years  The ward with the lowest female life expectancy in the whole city is Ladywood.  Since 1993 there has been a 53% reduction in the mortality rate from circulatory disease  Birmingham Circulatory disease mortality rate is 185.53 per 100,000 people compared with 164.80 nationally </li> Birmingham Stroke mortality rate is 47.66 per 100,000 people compared with 41.85 nationally </li> Birmingham Cancer mortality rate is 176.74 per 100,000 people compared with 169.05 nationally. </li> Birmingham suicide mortality rate is 4.71 per 100,000 people compared with 5.95 nationally </li> The suicide rate has reduced by 44% since 1993 </li> Infant mortality rate in Birmingham (7.6 per 1,000 live births) is significantly higher than the England rate (4.6 per 1,000 live births) </li> 23.1% of children in Birmingham are classed as obese </li> </ul>

Life Expectancy
The latest data (2007-2009) indicates the average male life expectancy in Birmingham is 76.4 years, whereas the UK average is 77.7 years. The chart below details the average male life expectancy in Birmingham against UK average and the worst ward in the city. The ward with the lowest male life expectancy in the whole city is Nechells.

The latest data (2007-2009) indicates the average female life expectancy in Birmingham is 81.4 years, whereas the UK average is 81.9 years. The chart below details the average male life expectancy in Birmingham against UK average and the worst ward in the city. The ward with the lowest female life expectancy in the whole city is Ladywood.

There is a great deal of local variation in life expectancy within Birmingham. For example people living in the ward where male life expectancy is lowest (Nechells) will on average die nearly 12 years before those living in the ward with the highest life expectancy (Sutton Trinity). For females the gap is between nearly 8 years.

Ciculatory Disease


In Birmingham the mortality rate from circulatory disease is higher than both the West Midlands Region average and the average for England.

However the mortality rate has reduced significantly over the past few years, and at a rate similar to other parts of the country. There has been a 52% reduction in the mortality rate from this type of disease in Birmingham since 1993 compared to a reduction of 53% in England.

Cancer Mortality


As with circulatory disease, Birmingham's mortality rate from cancer has remained higher than the England average and the average for the West Midlands region since 1993.

The mortality rate gap between the England average rate and the rate has not closed as both areas have experienced a 20.7% decrease in this rate since 1993.

Childhood Obesity


In Birmingham, Year 6 Childhood obesity is higher than the West Midlands Government Office Region and England average.

The data suggests that in Birmingham, there has been an increase (of 1.5%) in the proportion of Year 6 pupils who are classed as obese between 2008/09 and 2009/10 compared to an increase of 0.7% in the West Midlands and 0.4% in England.

Infant Mortality


The latest available data (2007-2009) indicates that Birmingham has a higher rate of infant mortality than England and the West Midlands

Since 1998-2000, the Infant Mortality rate in Birmingham has increased by 1.3% compared to a 17.9% decrease in England.

The gap between the infant mortality in England and the rate in Birmingham has increased between 1998-2000 and 2007-2009.