According to new information, where you live can make a huge difference to how long you live.
Men living in Brighton and Hove, for example, are expected to live for about 77.7 years – below the regional average of 79.7.
But the picture is slightly better for East and West Sussex, where men are expected to stay around until they reach 79.4 and 79.7 years respectively.
However, when you take a closer look at the figures it becomes clear there are also differences within the boundaries as well as across them.
For example, men living in the more deprived areas of Brighton and Hove, such as Moulsecoomb or Whitehawk, will on average die up to 10.6 yearsearlier, which is well above the regional average.
They are also likely to develop some type of disability 11.9 years earlier.
It is these discrepancies that are concerning the authorities in the city, particularly as the gap appears to be widening.
Health gap
Earlier figures had given the difference between men as 10.1 years.
And the pattern is the same for women. Although the gap is smaller, at 6.6 years, it is higher than the 5.9 recorded in previous years.
Brighton and Hove director of public health Tom Scanlon, pictured above, said: “It shows that we still have a lot of work to do to reach the areas we need and the right people.
“It seems as if we are not quite getting to the people we need to, and that has to be a real focus for us.
“Getting rid of health inequalities like this is a top priority and we need to be making that gap narrower.”
Dr Scanlon said it was also important that all efforts were made to help people enjoy a life free from disability.
He said: “One of the areas we really need to concentrate on is promoting the health checks for people aged between 40 and 74.
“The people who should really be having those checks and tests done are not coming forward.
"Some GP practices have been very good in making sure those people contacted come in, but the rate in some other areas is not quite so good.
“It is important that they are checked because that is the age where life expectancy is more of an issue if any problems are about to develop.”
Health checks
Health checks cover tests for blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes and also give advice on weight and how to keep to a healthy lifestyle.
NHS workers and public health and council staff are working closely with schools and youth groups and currently focus on issues such as drugs, alcohol and sexual health.
Dr Scanlon believes it may be worth giving advice on the early signs to watch out for as well.
He said: “The earlier people start to think about healthy living and the potential problems the better.”
Other schemes that are working well include health trainers, who are taught to give support and advice to people in their community.
Dr Scanlon said: “Sometimes it can be easier for people to talk on a more informal basis rather than to someone in an official capacity, and the trainers can point them in the right direction.”
Other important issues that can have an impact on life expectancy include alcohol and mental health.
The financial crisis has added to this, with people who are unemployed or stressed more likely to turn to alcohol as a crutch to help them cope.
Dr Scanlon said research shows that people living in more deprived areas are more likely to adopt poorer choices, such as smoking and drinking. This can have an effect on their education, leading to higher numbers of young people ending up out of employment, education or training.
The latest Marmot Indicators for Local Authorities in England 2012 also look at the percentage of homes where people are claiming benefits, and once again, deprived areas have a higher number of claimants.
Dr Scanlon said: “Studies have shown that people in deprived areas who are less educated and make poorer lifestyle choices end up less healthy than those in other areas.
“This has an impact not just on their own health but also on society. This is why health needs to be looked at as part of a wider issue involving all parts of the community.”
Brighton and Hove (regional average)
Male life expectancy at birth: 77.7 years (79.7)
Inequality in male life expectancy: 10.6 years (7.3)
Inequality in male disability-free life expectancy: 11.9 years (8.9)
Female life expectancy at birth: 83.2 years (83.5)
Inequality in female life expectancy: 6.6 years (4.5)
Inequality in female disability-free life expectancy: 9.1 years (7.0)
Percentage of children achieving a good level of development at five: 64.2 (61.1)
Percentage of young people not in employment, education or training: 8.4 (6.1)
Percentage of people in households in receipt of means tested benefits: 15.3 (10.1)
East Sussex
Male life expectancy at birth: 79.4
Inequality in male life expectancy: 8.2
Inequality in male disability-free life expectancy: 11.4
Female life expectancy at birth: 83.5
Inequality in female life expectancy: 6.2
Inequality in female disability-free life expectancy: 9.4
Percentage of children achieving a good level of development at five: 51.9
Percentage of young people not in employment, education or training: 6.9
Percentage of people in households in receipt of means tested benefits: 12.8
West Sussex
Male life expectancy at birth: 79.7
Inequality in male life expectancy: 7.2
Inequality in male disability-free life expectancy: 9.3
Female life expectancy at birth: 83.5
Inequality in female life expectancy: 5.3
Inequality in female disability-free life expectancy: 7.6
Percentage of children achieving a good level of development at five: 58.3
Percentage of young people not in employment, education or training: 6.2
Percentage of people in households in receipt of means tested benefits: 9.4
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