Coventry named as 'third unhealthiest city centre in the UK'

[dutchman]

Coventry has been named and shamed as the third unhealthiest city centre in the country, according to a health watchdog.



The city received the unwanted title in a league table published by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), which ranks towns and cities across the country on their potential harm to the public’s health.

The rankings are partly based on the number of bookies, payday loan shops and fast food outlets in towns and cities – weighed up against ‘healthier’ shops.

The final standings of 70 UK towns and cities saw Coventry finish only behind Middlesbrough and Preston.

Based on public and expert opinion, RSPH has identified bookmakers, payday loan shops, fast food outlets and tanning salons as having the most negative impact on health, and pharmacies, leisure centres and health services as having the most positive impact.

Businesses were scored by over 2,000 people on the extent to which they encourage healthy choices, promote social interaction, provide access to health advice and promote positive mental wellbeing.

Each of the 70 towns and cities were then ranked based on that scoring system and the prevalence of these different businesses.

Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said: “While our ranking of towns and cities is by no means a reflection on whether these areas are generally healthy or unhealthy, our research does find higher concentrations of unhealthy businesses exist in places which already experience high levels of deprivation and premature mortality.

“We recognise that businesses investing in high streets are important for local economies – but this shouldn’t be at any price.

“The Five Year Forward View calls for us to move ‘further and faster’ to improve the public’s health. This could be achieved by granting local authorities enhanced powers to create a rich mix of health promoting businesses on our high streets and encouraging businesses to promote healthy choices.”

[rebbonk]

No comment on the lousy air quality caused by traffic gridlock, due to deliberate council policies then?