Council’s Public Health report highlights the stark reality of health inequalities in Redbridge

Redbridge Council is urgently calling on men in Redbridge to prioritise their health.

A recent report has revealed that men are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing poorer health outcomes than women, making it crucial for them to take action now.

The report by the Council's Public Health Team highlights that, on average, men in Redbridge live just over four years fewer than women, a significant disparity in life expectancy. Redbridge Council is now reminding men of the quick, easy, and free services available to monitor their health, including the Healthy Redbridge Bus.  

Services on the Healthy Redbridge Bus include cholesterol and blood sugar levels, blood pressure, BMI, and pulse checks, advice on cardiovascular disease and prevention, winter vaccination clinics (Flu and COVID), and smoking cessation services.

Some of the key findings highlighted the following:

• Redbridge has the third-highest prevalence of diabetes in London (8.7%, compared to the London average of 6.5%) and ranks highest among the North East London boroughs.
• In Redbridge, more men die prematurely than women, and the picture is worse than the England average.
• In Redbridge, the top cause of death was cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke), followed by cancer and liver disease.
• One-third of victims of domestic abuse are men.
• In Redbridge, men's hospital admissions for violent crime are 56.4 per 100,000 annually, below London's 69.7 and England's 65.3 averages. Yet, this equates to one man admitted every four days, four times higher than for women at 11.2.

 "Cllr Mark Santos, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health: "This report highlights how vital it is for men to keep closer tabs on their health and to get regular checkups.

"The good news is that men can take action now and do something to improve their health by taking advantage of the free services available in the borough to get their health checked. The Healthy Redbridge Bus is an easy way to access a range of services and to get your health checked if you're concerned about anything. The friendly staff on board will put your mind to rest if you're worried about anything."

“In some instances, light exercise, like a stroll in one of our award-winning parks, can help by lowering blood pressure and reducing your chance of diabetes. If you have health concerns, please speak to your GP in the first instance.”

Listed below are resources people can access to learn more about their health and pursue a healthier lifestyle.

 Healthy Redbridge Bus:

Please follow Redbridge Council’s social media channels for information on when the Healthy Redbridge Bus will be on tour in the borough.

NHS Health Check:

NHS Health Check is a free health assessment available every five years for adults aged 40 to 74 without certain pre-existing conditions. It calculates the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

 Culture & Leisure:

Redbridge offers a wide range of leisure, cultural, and wellbeing services, including leisure centres, sports activities, wellbeing walks, yoga, and weight management programmes to provide opportunities to improve both mental and physical wellbeing.

 Smoking cessation services:

Redbridge Quits Smoking (RQS) offers free support for anyone aged 12+ in Redbridge looking to quit smoking, including one-to-one sessions with trained advisors.

Please read the Annual Health Report to learn more and stay informed about the health disparities in our community, empowering you to take control of your health.