The Burmantofts, Harehills & Richmond Hill (BHR) areas of Leeds, have some of the most shocking statistics for their primary care networks (PCN) when compared to other areas of Leeds. The BHR areas of Leeds are in the top 10% of the most deprived areas of Leeds and many of their residents live in poverty.
PCN’s are networks of primary care facilities such as GP surgeries, community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services. Statistics are gathered when a service user enters the network and fills out the application form and a medical professional code this onto their medical history as well as correlation from Leeds City Council.
A common trend observed across various health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and mental health issues, is that individuals with lower incomes are more likely to develop these conditions and experience worse health outcomes over time. This phenomenon is often referred to as the social gradient.
The BHR PCN have staggering statistics showing that 10% of their service users have Diabetes, compared to the average of 6.9% for the rest of Leeds. Diabetes UK state that “people living in poverty will be two and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes compared to the average earning person, and then twice as likely to face serious complications”.
These statistics of diabetes linked with poverty make sense when the BHR PCN has 29.6% of its users in fuel poverty, compared with 16% of the rest of Leeds. Fuel poverty is defined as the condition of being unable to afford to keep one’s home adequately heated.
81.6% of the BHR PCN are living in the most deprived areas of the city, compared to 25% with the rest of Leeds. 679 reported crimes per 1000 people, compared to 167 in the rest of Leeds means you’re 4 times more likely to be a victim of crime if you live in the BHR areas.
