Lewisham is in the bottom 20% of areas nationally for deprivation, life expectancy, and premature deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease.

As well as poor health outcomes, compared to the England average, there are significant health inequalities across the borough (Annual Public Health Report 2007). In summary the key features of the borough are:

• Life expectancy - A relatively low life expectancy for males and females in comparison with England and London. Although there have generally been improvements in life expectancy for men and women over the last ten years, there has been a tendency for the gap with England and London to narrow for men but generally widen for women.  However the most recent reporting period, 2004 – 2006, indicates that the gap for women is now closing on the England and London averages. (National Centre for Health Outcomes Development, June 2008). Across Lewisham, there is also evidence of some variation in life expectancy between different parts of the borough. (London Health Observatory 2008)
• Cancer - In Lewisham, premature mortality rates from cancer (among those under 75 years of age), have been higher than those for England and Wales and London, although these rates are decreasing.  (ONS 2007)
• Circulatory disease - In Lewisham,  premature mortality rates from circulatory disease (CVD - among those under 75 years of age) were substantially higher than those for London and England and Wales, however they are now decreasing.  (Office for National Statistics 2007)
• Smoking - Smoking is the biggest single contributor to the difference in life expectancy between rich and poor (White Paper: Smoking Kills DH 1998).  In some parts of the borough it is estimated around 42% of adults smoke compared with 33% across the borough as a whole and 22% across England. www.smokefreelewisham.co.uk
• Teenage Conceptions - Lewisham has the third highest rate of teenage conceptions in England but teenage conceptions are declining. (ONS, Teenage Pregnancy Statistics, 2nd quarter 2007).
• Alcohol - Nearly 20,000 men and 12,000 women in the borough drink more than the recommended limits for alcohol, and Lewisham has the fifth highest death rate for alcohol related illness in London. (Health Survey for England, DH May 2008).
  
  Given the challenges identified above, this strategy sets out the national and local context on health inequalities, the policy drivers to be addressed, recent information and data, the governance framework to affect delivery and outlines the continued commitment to action across the partnership to tackle these inequalities.

*Taken from 'Strategy To Tackle Health Inequalities In Lewisham' - http://www.lewishampct.nhs.uk/a/1174