Knowsley has the lowest level of female life expectancy in the country.
Out of 150 local authority areas, Knowsley comes bottom in terms of average life expectancy, with women in the borough living on average 78.6 years.
Public Health England data from 2021 puts the average UK life expectancy for women at 82.6 years.
Within the borough there are also significant differences in average life spans, with women in the more wealthy areas of Knowsley living on average over eight years longer than those in more deprived areas.
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Northwood in Kirkby has the lowest average female lifespan in the borough with women expected to live on average 73.9 years compared to 82.2 years in Prescot South.
The stark situation for Knowsley women was revealed in a report produced ahead of meeting of the borough’s health and wellbeing board which took place yesterday.
The report details some of the work being carried in Knowsley to tackle health inequalities, with a focus on the causes of mortality and poor health in women in the borough.
According to the report, the life expectancy of women in Knowsley has fallen in most parts of the borough since 2019 – a situation which is also reflected in men but more pronounced in Knowsley women.
The biggest factors contributing to decreased life expectancy among women in Knowsley are higher levels of heart and respiratory disease and lung cancer in more deprived areas.
Many of these diseases are preventable, with risk factors including smoking, obesity and alcohol use.
The report states there is “no quick fix” for the situation, although work to improve diagnosis and provide access to quality health care major focuses in the borough in the short term.
Long term ,the report states that “system change” is required alongside improvements in the conditions in which people live and work alongside the creation of “health promoting environments” through local and national policies as well as cultural and behavioural change.
Discussing the report at the health and wellbeing board meeting, held on June 13 at Huyton Municipal Buildings Intelligence officer Gemma Melia said the dip in life expectancy in 2021 happened “very much in the context of covid” although Knowsley life expectancy is “consistently below national levels”.
Ms Melia said: “Male life expectancy is also a challenge in Knowsley” but is more consistent with figures across the city region.
She said that wards with traditionally high life expectancies have also seen dips in recent years.
Ms Melia said every organisation in the borough plays a part in tackling the high mortality rates in Knowsley with a lot of work ”ongoing” in the area including raising awareness with partners.
Healthwatch Knowsley director Martin McDonough spoke of the importance of making access to doctor’s appointments accessible for people.
Knowsley Place director Alison Lee said there is now a quality scheme in place with GP practices with a requirement to ensure they are aware of the health needs of the population.
Knowsley Council’s public health director Sarah McNulty said the report was a “call to action” to ensure work is being carried out effectively to target health inequalities in the borough.
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