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Wiltshire's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Overview of Wiltshire's population and deprivation factors

The following information has been extracted from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), for the further information please refer to JSNA (wiltshireintelligence.org.uk) (opens new window).

Wiltshire's JSNA provides an in-depth analysis of the needs of the population of Wiltshire. Below is an overview of population and deprivation.

Wiltshire's current population:

  • 510,400 people
  • 51% female and 49% male

Wiltshire's population by the year 2040:

  • those under the age of 65 is expected to have decreased by 3%
  • those aged 65 and over are expected to have increased by 43%
  • those aged 85 and over are expected to have increased by 87%

Areas of deprivation

Eight of the 285 small areas of geography in Wiltshire, also known as LSOAS (Lower Super Output Areas), are within the 20% nationally most deprived. They are classified as 'urban city and town', and are found in:

  • Trowbridge
  • Chippenham
  • Melksham
  • Salisbury

Households in Wiltshire in the most deprived areas experience higher levels of fuel poverty (17% of households compared with 7% in the least deprived areas) and a gap in life expectancy of up to 7 years with the least deprived areas (76.3 years life expectancy for men in the 10% most deprived areas compared with 83.5 years for men in the 10% least deprived areas).

Health inequalities are understood to be avoidable, unfair and systemic differences in health between different groups of people. There are many groups experiencing health inequalities including those from ethnic minority communities, those experiencing homelessness, those with a learning disability and those living in rural areas. It is useful to keep this in mind when reading through the JSNA.

The health of those in Wiltshire is generally very good compared to the national average. On the whole people in Wiltshire have a higher life expectancy and healthy life expectancy than the England average. Fewer people are living in areas of deprivation, smaller proportions are living unhealthy lifestyles, more people have been vaccinated and crime and unemployment rates are very low. However, evidence from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment has highlighted that the most deprived 20% of areas within Wiltshire have repeatedly poorer outcomes than the least deprived 20%.

Our communities living in those least deprived areas of the county, will enjoy a greater array of life chances and more opportunities to lead a flourishing life. They also have better health. The two are linked: the more favoured people are, socially and economically, the better their health. Inequalities within Wiltshire, and the need to maintain a focus on major health issues, for example reducing deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease, mean that local services should always be accessible to all.

Inequalities do exist in Wiltshire and, with an ageing population structure, health needs are due to change further over future years. This, combined with the reduction in the working age population, means that the current approaches to health and care will not be sustainable in the future and could have an impact on all aspects of our lives if good health is not prioritised. Therefore, we must narrow the gap in health and wellbeing outcomes. We have to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have an excellent education, to learn skills and get a good job, to live in a nice environment and live healthier lifestyles into old age.

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