RSPH’s Health Rankings Reveal Inequalities

  • Grimsby named as the unhealthiest UK high street by RSPH
  • RSPH ranks 70 towns and cities based on health impact of their high streets
  • Edinburgh is the healthiest UK high street
  • Average life expectancy 2.5 years longer in healthiest areas vs unhealthiest
  • Growth in fast food shops by 4,000 between 2014-2017, especially in deprived areas
  • Vape shops doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 in past three years
  • High street vacancy rate increased from 7% to 11% since 2007
  • RSPH CEO calls for more action on health-promoting changes in high streets

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has declared Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire as the unhealthiest high street in the UK. The ranking, which excluded London high streets, assessed 70 towns and cities based on their impact on public health and wellbeing. Edinburgh emerged as the healthiest. The top 10 unhealthiest high streets are: The top 10 healthiest high streets are: Life expectancy in areas with the healthiest high streets is two and a half years longer than those in the unhealthiest. Factors influencing the rankings include a 4,000% increase in fast food shops between 2014-2017, particularly in deprived areas, where they now outnumber affluent areas fivefold. Vape shops doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 in three years. High street vacancy rate rose from below 7% to 11% since 2007. RSPH CEO Shirley Cramer called for more action to reshape high streets and address health inequalities.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the ranking of UK high streets based on their impact on public health and wellbeing. It includes relevant data and quotes from a credible source (RSPH CEO). However, it could be improved by providing more context or background information on the methodology used for the rankings and the specific factors considered in the assessment.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the health impact of different types of businesses on high streets and their correlation with life expectancy and deprivation levels. It also includes insights from the CEO of RSPH. However, it lacks in-depth analysis or solutions to address the issue.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The article discusses the impact of changes in high street businesses on public health and wellbeing, which can affect consumer spending habits and potentially impact local economies.
Financial Rating Justification: The article mentions the growth in fast food shops and vape shops as well as the increase in high street vacancy rate, which could influence consumer behavior and local economies. This has financial implications for businesses and potentially impacts companies operating in these areas.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk