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Live well: adult health

Supporting adults to stay healthy for longer is one of our priorities. Behavioural risk factors such as smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, sex and relationships, physical activity and diet have a strong influence on health outcomes. Find out more.

Cancers

Cancers are a leading cause of death in Southwark, accounting for around a quarter of all deaths in 2020, although the percentage of all deaths in the borough with cancer as an underlying cause is decreasing.

The number of cancer cases in Southwark is rising, although it is still lower compared to South East London and England averages. This rising trend is likely to continue in line with the recent increase in older population.

Southwark JSNA reports

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Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second largest cause of death in Southwark. Ischemic heart disease accounted for around 4 in 10 of all CVD deaths, with stroke accounting for 2 in every 10 CVD deaths.

In Southwark, the rates of premature mortality from cardiovascular disease which is considered preventable have reduced significantly over the past 10 years. Mortality rates are now similar to England and London averages although significant gender inequalities exist. Male rates of premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Southwark are nearly 3 times as high as female rates.

Southwark JSNA reports

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Diabetes

The estimated diagnosed prevalence of diabetes in Southwark is 5.9%, however, a significant proportion of people live with undiagnosed diabetes. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) estimates that as many as 8,000 Southwark residents (3.2%) may have undiagnosed diabetes and a further 25,700 (10.2%) are at increased risk of developing diabetes.

A large proportion of type 2 diabetes cases are preventable with lifestyle measures like maintaining normal body weight and eating healthily.

Southwark is one of 12 nationwide locations testing the innovative diabetes prevention programme, which offers tailored, personalised help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This includes:

  • education on healthy eating and lifestyle
  • help to lose weight
  • bespoke physical exercise programmes

Southwark JSNA reports

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Mental health and wellbeing

In Southwark, we want to focus on improving wellbeing to improve the population's mental health. At the same time, mental health in Southwark is about ensuring high-quality, accessible and responsive services to improve outcomes for those with a mental illness.

It is estimated that almost 1 in 5 adults in Southwark are experiencing a common mental disorder, equating to approximately 47,000 individuals. The prevalence of severe mental illness in Southwark is 1.4% (approximately 3,800 patients) and severe mental illness disproportionately affects male, older and black ethnic population groups. 

Suicide is seen as a proxy for underlying rates of mental ill-health; in 2013/15 Southwark was one of five London boroughs to report higher suicide rates than the national average.

Southwark JSNA reports

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Respiratory conditions

Respiratory conditions are the third largest cause of death in Southwark. Over half of these deaths were caused by bronchitis, emphysema or other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Smoking is the main cause of COPD, and therefore, the burden of this disease could be prevented through effective smoking cessation initiatives. The rates of premature mortality from COPD which is considered preventable are significantly higher in Southwark compared to London and England averages.

There is a significant gender gap in preventable mortality from COPD: Southwark male mortality rates are more than double compared to females.

Southwark JSNA reports

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Alcohol and substance misuse

Short-term impacts of substance misuse include an increase in the risk of injury and infectious diseases. Long-term impacts include cancers, liver and heart disease as well as mental health problems. Both alcohol and drug use pose a significant risk of dying prematurely.

In Southwark around 8,500 years of life were lost due to alcohol-related conditions. The number of YLLs is significantly higher in males compared to females.

Prevalence estimates show that Southwark has higher rates of opiate and crack use, compared to London and England averages. Drug users are ageing, resulting in increased health complexities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, injecting complications and drug-related deaths.

Southwark JSNA reports

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Sexual health

Promoting and improving sexual health involves initiatives aimed not only at individual behaviour but also at a wide range of social and environmental interventions.

Levels of sexually transmitted infections in Southwark are high when compared to the rest of London and England: Each year, there are approximately 8,000 new STI diagnoses among Southwark residents; the borough has one of the highest rates of new STIs in England. Southwark also ranks among the highest in England for gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnostic rates. 

Southwark JSNA reports

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Physical activity

Around 6 out of 10 Southwark residents are meeting national physical activity guidelines. Older adults, women, residents coming from Black or ethnic minority groups and people who are overweight are more likely to be inactive.

Associated costs and lack of time are the most common reasons for people not engaging in physical activity. Walking or cycling as an alternative to motorised transport has been recognised as one of the easiest and most acceptable ways in which physical activity can be incorporated into daily life.

Southwark JSNA reports

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Smoking

Smoking remains the single biggest cause of premature death and disease nationally and locally. It is the biggest cause of inequalities in mortality rates between the richest and poorest in our communities.

Smoking also has a significant economic impact on health services and society as a whole. In Southwark, the economic impact of smoking is estimated to be over £84 million per year.

There are notable inequalities in smoking prevalence with people from lower socio-economic backgrounds being more likely to smoke. Furthermore, despite the downward trend in smoking prevalence, smoking-attributable mortality in Southwark rates remain significantly above London and England averages.

Southwark JSNA reports

Other local plans and strategies

External resources