Derry and Strabane District Council to write to Executive urging action on dire health inequality afflicting the city and district

SDLP Councillor Rory Farrell proposed the move after a recent Health InEqualities Report demonstrated how poorer Derry men can expect to die five years earlier than their better-off fellow citizens.

The Department of Health report further showed women from poorer areas will live 2.9 years less than the Derry & Strabane average. Rates of drug-related death and alcohol-related hospitalisation are also far higher.

Poorer Derry men dying 5 years younger with far higher rates of alcohol admissions and drugs deaths

Colr. Farrell said: “In terms of male life expectancy in the most deprived areas across Derry & Strabane a man can expect to live to the age of 72.5. In Jordanstown, the average man can expect to live 11 years longer.

“That’s eleven more years with friends and family enjoying life. In terms of female life expectancy we’re not much better. In the most deprived areas in this council area the average woman will live to the age of 78.5. In Downshire East in Lisburn & Castlereagh a woman can expect to live nine years longer. These figures are shocking.”

DERRY JOURNAL Editorial: Poverty - a persistent and destructive force that must be addressed with greater urgency

The DoH report highlighted how the life expectancy for men in Derry’s poorer areas is actually lower than the general average life expectancy in countries like Algeria, Iran, Cuba, China, Russia and Vietnam.

Colr. Farrell said: “We often talk about regional balance and regional inequalities and it’s mostly about university provision and job creation and infrastructure. And we don’t talk about health inequalities. These inequalities are real. They are clearly documented.”