Bradford’s health profile for 2010 shows the district is struggling to cope with the effects of high levels of deprivation.

With 40 per cent of people living in the most deprived 20 per cent of the country, the district has worse health than the England average.

Hospital stays for alcohol related harm, tooth decay in five-year-olds and infant mortality are all significantly worse than the national average.

Health profiles are produced every year by the Association of Public Health Observatories to help local government and health services improve people’s health and reduce health inequalities.

Improvements made since last year’s profile include: l binge drinking amongst adults, child obesity, the number of adults who smoke have all decreased l the rate of infant deaths has gone down slightly, even though Bradford still has one of the highest rates in the country l early deaths from cancer have decreased l take up of breast-feeding has increased l life expectancy for males and females has risen l the number of people with diabetes has risen, but this can be interpreted as good news as it means more patients are receiving treatment.

Greg Fell, public health consultant for NHS Bradford and Airedale said: “This profile is useful as it provides a snapshot of the key challenges we face in trying to improve the health and wellbeing of people.

“To make sure we are tackling health inequalities, we also use more detailed analysis from our own lifestyle surveys and information from GPs.

“We are making improve-ments, but a significant challenge is the high level of deprivation in Bradford. “Our priorities continue to be tackling infant mortality, obesity, improving sexual and mental health and reducing the harm caused by alcohol and tobacco.

“We have a joint sustainable community strategy known as the ‘Big Plan’, and a revised strategy to reduce infant mortality has also been launched.”