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London health survey 2007
By Andrew Shields and Rebecca Taylor

Posted: Fri Jan 12 2007

Richmond Park, Richmond

Income
Health experts consider income a highly important determinant of health: the poorer you are, the more unhealthy you are likely to be. London’s poorest boroughs, where health has the most to improve, are categorised as Spearhead boroughs (Hammersmith & Fulham, Newham, Greenwich, Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Lewisham, Haringey, Lambeth, Islington, Southwark and Tower Hamlets) and as the wealthier communities get healthier, the poorer ones have to make more improvements to match them. Feature continues

‘The wealthiest borough is no surprise,’ says Dr Bobbie Jacobson, director of the London Health Observatory. ‘And I am not surprised by the low rating for Waltham Forest. Half its wards are among the most deprived in England and it has a shorter life expectancy than the England average. It also has a high proportion of ethnic minority communities. London’s diversity is its biggest challenge. Apart from socio-economic problems, new immigrants might find it harder to register with GPs, and there can also be language problems. A decent income and a decent education are the two best routes out of poverty, and getting out of poverty is one of the best ways to improve your health.’

Average household income

Highest
1	Richmond	£46,415
2	Kensington & Chelsea	£44,712
3	Westminster	£43, 358
4	Wandsworth	£42,733
5	Kingston	£41,686
Lowest
28	Waltham Forest	£33, 557
29	Greenwich	£33,296
30	Hackney	£31,919
31	Newham	£28,948
32	Barking & Dagenham	£28,882