Almost a quarter of East Lindsey residents feel their health is 'not good'
A HIGH proportion of people living in East Lindsey feel their health is 'not good' according to data released from the 2011 Census.
Just 73.5 per cent of the district's residents reported their general health as 'good' making East Lindsey the lowest ranked local authority in England at 326th, down from 313th at the 2001 Census.
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This compares with the top ranking district of Hart in Hampshire where 88.1 per cent of people felt their general health was either 'very good' or 'good'.
East Lindsey District Council says the results are most likely due to the number of older people retiring to the coast.
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Portfolio holder for communities, Councillor Sandra Harrison, said: "Our district offers an excellent quality of life. However, we have a higher than average proportion of older people living in the area, many of whom experience long-term health conditions such as diabetes or stroke which will influence how well they feel.
"Some of those retiring to the area arrive with conditions arising from working in industrial occupations. ELDC provides practical help and support for individuals who have health conditions and would benefit from support.
"We would encourage everyone to take care of themselves as much as possible. If people have a health concern, they should seek medical advice, as the earlier they seek treatment, the better the chances of this being successful."
Mrs Harrison added that worryingly, fewer people in the east of the county attend health checks and routine check-ups with their GP than anywhere else in Lincolnshire.
Some of the services provided by ELDC include weekly healthy walks, an Exercise Referral scheme which delivers exercise to clients who have been referred for medical reasons, Health Trainers and a Food for Life programme which provides information and advice on healthy eating.
A spokesman for NHS Lincolnshire said the Census results may also reflect high levels of deprivation, particularly on the coast.
She said: "The health of people in East Lindsey is mixed and varies depending on the area they live in. Poor health is more prevalent in areas of higher deprivation and Skegness in East Lindsey is one of Lincolnshire's most deprived areas.
"The Hearty Lives East Lindsey project launched last year to reduce the number of people living with heart disease. The project targets people living in the more deprived areas and showing them how to make simple steps that could change their lives.
"In addition, the NHS in Lincolnshire is working to address these areas of poorer health through a number of programmes. Exercise by Referral, Healthy Walks, Vitality classes for the over 60s and over 45s Activators programme all help to improve the health of people living in the area. "
Comments
by FreeForester
Monday, February 11 2013, 12:40PM
“Well come on: when I lived in East Lindsey there were alot of incomers who had moved in retirement to a cheaper area. They are bound to have more health problems. My own family had hardly a day's illness while living on the coast; the fresh air, exercise, lack of pollution, and a strong breeze solved any problems.”