Averting a public health crisis in England's coastal communities: a call for public health research and policy. (13th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Asthana, Sheena; Gibson, Alex
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 44:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 642
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2021-05-13
• Subjects: children and young people -- coastal health -- communities -- deprivation -- geography -- Quality and Outcomes Framework -- small area mapping -- social determinants; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Coastal communities have received little attention in the public health literature, perhaps because our mental maps tend to associate socio-economic deprivation and health inequalities with inner cities. Mapping a range of key health indicators at small area level, this paper reveals a distinct core-periphery pattern in disease prevalence, with coastal communities experiencing a high burden of ill health across almost all conditions included in the Quality and Outcomes Framework dataset. Other sources suggest poor outcomes for children and young people living in coastal areas. Low rates of participation in higher education contrast with high rates of hospitalisation for self-harm, alcohol and substance use. Reflecting a shift in the distribution of children living in poverty since the 1990s, this may be an early indicator of a future public health crisis in these communities. Exploring reasons for the health challenges facing the periphery, this perspective piece calls for more public health research that can accommodate the complex and interlinked problems facing coastal communities and a more concerted effort to align public health with economic, education, local government and transport policies at the national level.