Overcoming health problems in Leeds

Leeds is the third largest city in England with a population of approximately 750,200. The city’s population is predicted to increase to 821,700 by 2029.  In common with national trends, the number of older people will increase.  This will bring additional challenges for health services across the country.

Overall the health of the population of Leeds is improving, and compared to other ‘core cities’ of England (e.g. Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham), Leeds compares favourably.  It has the lowest all age, all cause mortality for both males and females.  However when Leeds is compared to the national average for England, it shows that there are significant inequalities in health with people residing in the most deprived wards of the city.   In these areas people live on average 10 years less than people in the least deprived wards.

When compared to the national average, Leeds does not perform as well as other cities in key public health areas such as:

• all age all cause mortality;
• male life expectancy;
• smoking prevalence in long term condition patients;
• alcohol related admission rates;
• prevalence and mortality from circulatory and respiratory diseases;
• incidence of and mortality from cancer;
• alcohol related admission rates; and
• emergency admissions for chronic illnesses such as COPD and asthma.

We are working closely with our partners to address these health issues.