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Town is at top of table for asthma sufferers

Beatriz Ayala
22/12/2005

ROCHDALE has been branded the worst town in the North West for asthma.

Residents are two-thirds more likely to be diagnosed with the breathing problem than anywhere else in the region.

Rochdalians are also more likely to have mental health problems and diabetes and die from smoking-related illnesses than their North West counterparts.

The number of patients admitted to hospital for alcohol-related reasons was also just over the regional average, although alcohol-related deaths are just under.

But Rochdale has a lower than average number of people with coronary heart disease.

The figures were revealed in a new study entitled 'Where Health Meets Wealth' which looked at health and social conditions in the borough.

Dr Sheila Will, director of public health, said: "In 1997 we recognised asthma as a local problem because of high hospital admission rates and long lengths of stay.

"We've got good guidelines for diagnosis, which means we get quite high diagnosis rates, but we do have specialist nurses, GPs and clinics to help patients.

"We also have higher rates than most for work-related asthma, which comes from Rochdale's cotton industry, but that is becoming less of an issue.

"We've always had high levels of coronary heart disease, but it's the first time this is less than the regional average, which reflects well on everyone in the health care community."

Dr Will said their main targets over the forthcoming year was to get people to make healthy lifestyle choices.

She said: "We will be focusing on preventative methods, such as getting people to exercise and introducing healthier diets.

"Life expectancy in Rochdale is around three years less than the national average, but the preventative element is the way to go if we are going to make inroads."

Professor Mark Bellis, director of the North West Public Health Observatory, said: "The North West has seen some health gains in the poorest areas, especially through reductions in conditions related to smoking such as heart disease.

"Unfortunately, these gains have been more or less wiped out by increasing levels of ill health related to chronic and binge alcohol use."

• For help to quit smoking call the Rochdale smoking Cessation Service on 708001.