Some very bad news for the ladies of Alexandria and the Vale of Leven has come out in recent days as new figures reveal that they will have a lower life expectancy than anywhere else in Scotland. Sadly the men fair only slightly better being the second worst (in front of Glasgow).
Although the figures are better than in previous years, and the trend is upwards, the rest of the country is doing better. However only a few miles can make years of difference as to how long a person may live. In Alexandria and the Vale of Leven the average age for a male would be just under 75 years old but up the road by 20 miles or less it is over 80 years on average. The equivalent for females in just under 79 locally and 83.5 along the road.
One of the reasons given was that there is less income in these areas and the economic effects this has on residents. It is noted that whilst early death has been prevalent over the years to those who are living in more deprived areas, the cause of death has changed. It was TB and other infectious diseases 150 years ago, then heart disease was the biggest reason only 50 years ago with alcohol coming to the fore nowadays. It is expected that over the next decades this will change to obesity related issues.
One of the common denominators in these areas with a lower average age is that they are all predominantly de-industrialised communities where deprivation is still widespread.
There are several ways of counteracting these issues, via political and health action. People can be given educational leaflets produced by local printers to help them make healthier lifestyle choices.
