People in Cheshire are living longer, with a growing proportion of people aged 65 or over.
However, more people than ever are also living with multiple health conditions with many health conditions linked to people’s lifestyle choices and personal circumstances:
- Smoking – Smoking prevalence is higher than the national average in Cheshire East.
- Alcohol – The number of Cheshire 15-year-olds that have tried alcohol, are regular drinkers or have been drunk in the last four weeks is comparable to the national figures. Rates of alcohol-related admissions among under 18s are higher in Cheshire East.
- Inactivity – 30% of adults across Cheshire are classed as physically inactive and 1 in 4 as overweight or obese. 1 in 5 children are classed as overweight or obese when they start primary school, 1 in 3 when they leave.
- Loneliness – Feeling lonely is often linked to early deaths and increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's.
Pockets of deprivation mean there are also areas of significant health inequalities. Life expectancy is 11 years lower for men and 13 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Cheshire East and 10 years lower for men and 8 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Cheshire West.
Cheshire Facts and Figures
| Population |
767,494 |
| Female life expectancy |
83 |
| Male life expectancy |
80 |
| People aged over 65 |
162,754 |
| People aged over 85 |
21,394 |
| People living in areas classed as "most deprived" |
91,863 |
| Alcohol-related hospital admissions |
2,616 |
| Depression |
72,353 |
| Dementia |
7,364 |
| Diabetes |
42,241 |
| Three or more long-term conditions |
36,314 |
| Cancer |
28,496 |
| Stroke |
16,616 |
| Heart disease |
27,160 |
