WOMEN in some parts of the region have among the lowest “healthy life expectancies” in the country, new figures show.

Researchers have compiled data from the 150 local authorities in England to draw up a league table of where people can expect to stay fit and into what kind of age bracket.

The Office of National Statistics report shows there are two council areas in the North-East which appear in the worst five for women – Hartlepool second from bottom with 55.2 years, and County Durham tenth with 57 years.

That is compared to 71.1 years for Rutland, and 70.6 for Wokingham, Berkshire, which have the two best figures.

Middlesbrough appears at 31 with 59.8 years; Darlington 52nd at 61.3 years; Redcar and Cleveland 54th with 61.5 years; and Stockton is 64th with 62.3 years.

North Yorkshire fares best in the table released today, featuring at 136th – or 14th best in the country – with a figure of 67.3 years.

The statistics for men follow a similar pattern. Hartlepool is tenth worst with 57 years, and County Durham is 16th lowest at 58 years.

The researchers examined smoking and obesity prevalence, diet, the consequences of alcohol misuse, physical activity, employment and educational attainment.

More than one-third of 25- to 64-year-olds in the lowest healthy life expectancy areas were “economically inactive” because of long-term sick or disability.

Other findings included more than one in eight grew overweight between entering primary school and starting secondary school.

The figures for men show Middlesbrough at 22nd with 58.8 years; Redcar and Cleveland 27th with 59.1 years; Stockton 53rd with 61 years; Darlington 65th with 61.8 years; and North Yorkshire 132nd, or 14th best, at 67.3 years.

Paul Edmondson-Jones, Hartlepool Council’s director of public health, said: “It’s a well-known fact that life expectancy in Hartlepool and indeed the North-East is lower than the rest of England and this is mainly down to a higher level of poverty and the historical legacy of heavy industry and its decline.

“The council is working really hard with its partner organisations to reverse this trend and we have many ongoing initiatives to improve people’s health and to help people make the right lifestyle choices.

“The health and wellbeing of local people remains a top priority for the council and we are currently carrying out a major consultation exercise to help shape how services are provided in the future.

“We are appealing to local people to get involved and attend one of three workshop events next month. Residents can also give us their views by completing a questionnaire at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/health-survey “

  • The workshops will be held on Monday, July 10, at 10am, at the Central Library; Tuesday July 11, at 1.30pm, Owton Manor Community Centre; and Friday July 14, at 10am, at West View Advice and Resource Centre.