DRINKING, smoking and heart disease are the biggest health risks facing Darlington residents today, according to a new report.

Miriam Davidson, the director of public health for Darlington, delivered her annual report to the council’s Health and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee today (Oct 23) and it contained some shocking statistics.

In the last ten years alcohol related hospital admissions have increased by 154.3 percent in Darlington and almost a quarter of expectant mothers, 20 per cent, smoked throughout their pregnancy in 2011/12.

Heart disease, which includes strokes, heart attacks and other health problems associated with the narrowing of the arteries, remains the biggest killer in Darlington, claiming almost a third of residents’ lives.

In Darlington’s most deprived areas, 259 people per 100,000 die from heart disease, compared to 182 in the town as a whole.

This is significantly higher than the national average of 167 per 100,000.

Speaking at the committee meeting, Ms Davidson said: “Some of the information in the tables talks about the difference within Darlington – the slope of inequality.

“It is a statistical snapshot of where we are.

“We have made improvements, but we still have huge challenges to meet in Darlington.”

She said that promoting a healthier lifestyle by helping people to quit smoking and drink sensibly continued to be a major focus for Darlington’s health service providers.

“The rates of hospital admissions for alcohol at one time were really a cause for concern,” said Ms Davidson.

“We invested in community-based alcohol support and emotional support for various groups and that investment has stopped the increase, but it has not beaten it down yet.

“Our (alcohol admissions) experience isn’t different to the North-East, but it is higher than the England average.”

Ms Davidson’s report also outlined a number of upcoming challenges for the County Durham and Darlington NHS in dealing with alcohol-related health issues since the launch of the Government’s new alcohol strategy this year.

These include responding to the national consultation about imposing a 50p minimum unit price and ensuring the seamless transfer of the commissioning of drug and alcohol services into the local authority.

In addition to tackling alcohol, tobacco and substance misuse, Ms Davidson pointed out that early lifestyle education was essential to the future health of the town: “If we really want to make a difference to health, focusing on the early days is one of the best ways,” she said.