More than one in 20 people in Bolton say they are living with poor health.

Figures from the 2021 Census show 6.7 per cent of people in Bolton reported bad or very bad health.

Meanwhile, 28.4 per cent of all 181,565 adults in the workforce in the area were economically inactive during the same period.

This meant Bolton was ranked 288th for health and economic activity out of 330 local authorities.

Separate figures show the healthy life expectancy in Bolton was 60.3 years for males and 62.4 for females in 2018 to 2020.

This was a 14.4-year gap with Rutland, the healthiest area for males, and 8.8 years with Wokingham, which was the healthiest for females.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “While the 2021 Census showed that nearly 80 per cent of Bolton residents reported being in ‘good’ or ‘very good’ health, like many areas in the UK there is more work to be done to tackle health inequalities. 

“We are working collaboratively with our partners towards the Bolton Vision of a more active, connected, and prosperous borough where everyone can live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

“Bolton’s health Locality Board is leading work to improve health outcomes. Information about ways to improve your health and wellbeing is available on the Let’s Keep Bolton Moving website.”

A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 and narrowing the gap between local areas by 2030 including by investing up to £14.1 billion to improve health services and help people live longer, healthier lives.

“Our Major Conditions Strategy will look at the prevention and management of conditions responsible for over 60 per cent of ill health and our plans for a smokefree generation will make a significant difference with people in more deprived areas almost twice as likely to die for smoking related conditions.

“Our Back to Work Plan will also help up to a further 1.1 million people to look for and stay in work that’s suited to their needs including through integrated mental health support such as NHS Talking Therapies.”

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