Westminster thrives because of the diverse communities that make each neighbourhood unique. Therefore, we need to ensure our services meet local communities' specific needs.
A Fairer Westminster is where we do everything possible to reduce inequalities at every turn.
We have many working-age residents and high levels of international migration. Financial differences are high within the borough, specifically in areas like Queens Park and Mozart Estate (Queens Park), Lisson Green Estate (Church Street), Warwick Estate and Brindley Road Estates (Westbourne), and Churchill Gardens (Pimlico South), where there are higher levels of deprivation.
Where we do well in physical health and mental wellbeing
- The percentage of residents who say their health is very good is among the highest in England.
- Life expectancy is among the highest in the country (seventh for men, twelfth for women). Healthy life expectancy is also high.
- The percentage of pregnant women who smoke by the end of their pregnancy is among the lowest in England.
- A high percentage of babies have breastmilk as their first feed.
- Westminster has the second lowest rate of teenage pregnancies in England.
- Hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in young people aged 15 to 24 are among the lowest in England.
- While we still want to improve, our employment rate for residents with a learning disability is higher than in other areas.
- Westminster has a low under 75 mortality rate. The death rate due to cancer in those under 75 is the seventh lowest in England. Hip fractures in those older than 80 are the fourth lowest in England.
Our physical health and mental wellbeing challenges
- We need to tackle health inequalities and reduce the gap in life expectancy. Life expectancy in Westminster is among the highest in the country (85 years for women and 80 years for men). However, residents living in some wards will have a much lower life expectancy than residents in others. The difference between the wards with the highest and lowest life expectancy is 18 years for men and nine years for women.
- Westminster has an ageing population: 12% are 65 or over. Many people live for longer in poor health and with a diminished quality of life. On average, men live around 14 years in poor health, and women around 20 years.
- Obesity is high in both children and adults.
- Almost half of all children are overweight by the time they leave primary school; this is higher than the London average. Children living in Church Street are almost twice as likely to be overweight than those living in West End. Half of all adults are overweight or obese. Mental wellbeing is important throughout our lives. Over one in six children and young people have a mental health disorder, and over one in four adults report feeling anxious.
- Screening and immunisation rates are among the lowest in the country, and cancer screening rates in our area are among the lowest in the country. Our uptake of all types of childhood vaccinations is below the 95% target to stop the spread of diseases and protect the community.
How do we address these challenges?
No single organisation can solve these challenges alone. We need to work together with the healthcare system, using the skills and resources of key partners and local communities.
This borough story has helped shape our 10-year Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which is focused on reducing health inequalities.
References
Our JSNA brings together data and insight from a range of sources. Below are some of the key sources of data used for this section.
Data used in this section was collated in February 2024.
If you require any further information on specific references, please contact us at [email protected].