Agenda item

Presentation by the Public Health Principal

The Public Health Principal gave a PowerPoint presentation (previously circulated) on the key messages contained within the Darlington Health Profile 2021/2022 and in doing so advised Members that Local Authority Health Profiles provided an overview of health for each local authority in England, pulling together existing information in one place and highlighting issues that can affect health in each locality.

It was reported that Health Profiles were composed of 42 separate indicators across 7 domains; the profile showed how the health of Darlington residents compared with that of the region and the rest of England; that when compared to England, half of the indicators were worse than the England average whilst the other half were statistically similar or better; and Darlington’s profile was similar to the North East regional average.

The presentation outlined the indicators for each domain. Particular reference was made to life expectancy, which, for men was 13.0 years lower and for women was 10 years lower in the most deprived than in the least deprived areas of Darlington. Members also noted that 28.5 per cent of children in Darlington lived in low income families, which was worse than the England average;  levels of smoking in pregnancy remained worse that the England average;the rate of alcohol related harm hospital admissions in Darlington was worse than the England average; and the estimated levels of excess weight in adults and physically active adults in Darlington were worse than the England average. It was noted that the Diabetes diagnosis rate was better than the England average, at  85.9 per cent.

Members sought clarification regarding the figures for Emergency Hospital Admissions for Intentional Self-Harm; and particular discussion ensued regarding the figures relating to obesity levels in adults and children. The Public Health Principal informed Members of the mechanism for determining obesity levels for adults, that obesity figures for Darlington were comparative to the North East and further work was required to understand and address the obesogenic environment.

RESOLVED – That the Darlington Health Profile 2021/2022 be noted.