Women’s life expectancy in West Dunbartonshire is worst in Scotland
Dumbarton and Vale of Leven from the air.
By Bill Heaney
Overall life expectancy in West Dunbartonshire is poor in comparison with Scotland as a whole, according to a new Social Work report. Female life expectancy ranks the worst in the country at 78.8 years.
Male life expectancy is third lowest behind Glasgow City and Dundee City at age 74.7 years and healthy life expectancy is lower in comparison to Scotland and is second lowest for both males and females. West Dunbartonshire ranks second bottom for mortality rates compared to Scotland as a whole.
The main cause of death in West Dunbartonshire is cancer, followed by circulatory disease. West Dunbartonshire is one of the 20 per cent most income deprived data zones in Scotland, and the second highest with a local share in the 20 per cent most employment deprived data zones.
The comparatively new Health and Social Care Partnership intends to drive forward with community planning partners to address the fundamental causes of health inequalities in line with legislation.
The HSCP along with Education, Attainment and Learning and Housing and Employability need to continue their focus on early years, poverty, domestic abuse and public protection, according to a new report.
It says the transformation of primary care services should reflect the distribution of the most deprived areas within West Dunbartonshire as part of prioritisation of activity.
One in five household heads here will be 75 years old and over by 2039.
The number of single adult dwellings has increased with the number of households predicted to continue to increase up to the year 2034.
Percentage of dwellings in A-C Council tax bandings is higher than the Scottish average.
There is a higher percentage of Sscial rented housing than the Scottish average (36% compared to 23%).
Applicants assessed as homeless have increased by 10 per cent from the previous year compared to a Scottish decrease.
The HSCP intends to continue to work with the Housing and Communities Strategic Area and Registered Social landlords through the review of the Housing Contribution Statement to support individuals to stay within their own homes.
And to continue to work in partnership with the Housing and Communities Strategic Area to support appropriate allocations and joint medical assessments via dedicated Housing Occupational Therapists.
The HSCP need to consider the structure and age of households specifically the increase in 75 years old plus households and continue to maximise the roll out of tele-health and tele-care given the number of single adult dwellings.
Levels of physical disabilities within West Dunbartonshire are similar to national levels.
Physical disabilities increase with age and sensory impairment is more prevalent amongst people aged over 60, with the number projected to increase.
Life expectancy is increasing for people with learning disabilities and autism. However, it still remains shorter by 20 years when compared to the general population.
There is a learning disability population of 7.2 per 1,000 and there are 530 individuals known to specialist learning disability services, with more males than females.
There are 180 people in the 21-34 years’ age range, which is the largest group.
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