Researchers at the University of Liverpool have conducted a study to reveal the healthiest and unhealthiest neighbourhoods to live in in the UK. The scientists used a wide range of lifestyle and environmental factors to calculate their ranking, including access to health services, proximity to shops, bars and outdoor areas and the air pollution count.
It is no surprise that the majority of the most unhealthy neighbourhoods are in London, with Soho, Westminster, topping the list. The area, also known as London's West End is famous for its nightlife, restaurants, theatres and party-goers. The study concluded that there are not enough parks and green spaces in Soho to offset them. A total of seven out of the 10 most unhealthy places are in London.
The 10 unhealthiest places it the UK
- Soho, Westminster
- North Killingholme
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- Fauldhouse, West Lothian
- Spitalfields, Tower Hamlets
- Farringdon, Islington
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- Finsbury, Islington
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In contrast, the 10 healthiest UK neighbourhoods are in the countryside. Scotland came out as particularly healthy, with eight of the top 10 places located in the northern country. The Scottish counties featured include Renfrewshire, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross and Fife.
Great Torrington, North Devon, has been crowned the healthiest place to live in the UK. The small market town was found to have:
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- not too many fast food shops and bars
The study found that rural communities often have less access to health services but they fare better when it comes to outdoor space, quality of life and less unhealthy food and drink outlets.
The 10 healthiest places it the UK
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- Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire
- Fauldhouse, West Lothian
- Foxbar, Renfrewshire
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- Ryton, Gateshead
- Ballingry, Fife
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- Kinghorn, Fife
- Kilsyth Bogside, North Lanarkshire
Deputy Director of the Consumer Data Research Centre Professor Alex Singleton said: “Our study found that access was not evenly spread across Great Britain – rural areas have poorer access to many health services, and those services which are seen as damaging to health are often concentrated in poorer areas. For example, 62% of people who live in the 10% most deprived areas are within 1km of a fast food outlet compared to 24% in the 10% least deprived areas.”
Want to see how healthy your neighbourhood is? Use this interactive map to find out.
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