New statistics have revealed the increasing gap between the life expectancy of people living in the most deprived areas of Sutton and the richest.

Despite the average life expectancy of Sutton’s population growing as a whole, figures released by the Greater London Authority show the disparity between the poorest and wealthiest in the borough has increased since 2006.

The men of Carshalton Central can expect to live on average up to 82.6 years old but five minutes down the road on the St Helier Estate men can expect to live on average just 74.5 years.

The ladies of Nonsuch fare better and are expected to live up to 87 years old on average unlike the ladies in Sutton Central who are unlikely to make it to their 80th birthday living on average for just 79.1 years.

A report last summer revealed this "unacceptable gap" in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas in Sutton with some areas of Sutton becoming increasingly impoverished.

More affluent wards enjoy better health, whilst less affluent areas tend to have unhealthier lifestyles due to cigarette smoking, obesity, inactivity and alcohol.

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Tom Brake the MP for Carshalton and Wallington said: "We must all work harder to close this health gap. That will involve all partners; local Doctors, Sutton Council, the food industry, parents and politicians.

"We must work together to improve housing, reduce junk food consumption, increase exercise levels and cut smoking if we are to made a dent in this life expectancy gap."

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Dr Ellis Friedman, the council's director of public health, said Sutton council was working with its partner agencies to tackle the health inequalities.

He added: "Sutton is among the longest living boroughs nationally and over recent years there has been a trend of increased longevity in both males and females.

"However, there has been no narrowing of the gap in life expectancy between wards.

"Last summer the Health and Wellbeing Board adopted a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy to tackle these issues and has set targets to improve overall life expectancy and reduce the differences between wards."


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