Enfield residents need to shape up

Residents are being urged to do what they can to keep themselves healthy following the publication of a Report into the borough's health.

Dr Shahed Ahmad, Enfield's Director of Public Health has released his Annual Public Health Report for 2012.

The Annual Public Health Report shows that people in Enfield are living longer, but there are significant differences in life expectancy across the borough, and levels of obesity in both adults and children are above the London average.

The report's main findings are that:

-  Enfield is more deprived than other Outer London boroughs;

-  Enfield has marked health inequalities, with poorer people having worse health and shorter lives than more affluent residents;

- Life expectancy is increasing, and death rates are falling;

- Adults in Enfield do not do enough exercise;

- Teenage pregnancy rates are falling in Enfield and are now below the London average.

The Report also highlights the pressure expected to be exerted on health services with the Enfield population growing by 2031, more young people and people of retirement age are in Enfield than the London average, and fewer people of working age.

Cllr Christine Hamilton, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health (in photo) said "This excellent Annual Public Health Report shows that Public Health is truly everybody's business. We welcome the public health function coming into local government and want it to be at the heart of everything we do as a Council.

"The health inequalities in Enfield are unacceptable and we need to do everything we can to tackle them, by building economic growth, and ensuring that everyone benefits from that prosperity will be key.

"We also recognise that the NHS has an important role, particularly in helping people to manage their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The creation of a sustainable environment with low crime rates will also be essential to the long term health and wellbeing of the borough."

For the full report go to:

http://www.enfield.gov.uk/downloads/file/6581/public_health_report_2012