Health inequalities can be defined as differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups. They arise from differences in socio-economic and environmental factors which influence people’s behaviour, the opportunities available to them, the choices they make, their risk of poor health and their resilience.

The social determinants of health are widely described as ‘the causes of the causes of health inequalities’. These are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. We know that these conditions affect the likelihood of people enjoying long, healthy lives and will determine variations in health and life expectancy.

Life expectancy tells us how long children born today would be expected to live, if they experienced the current mortality rates of the area they were born in throughout their lifetime. Mortality can also be used as an effective measure of health and wellbeing and inequality within and between areas. High rates of premature mortality are indicative of poor health and wellbeing within an area

The documents we publish on this page are either legally required to be made available for inspection, for information and analysis purposes or may have been supplied by the public and so in some cases may not be fully accessible. If, for any reason, you cannot access the documents and need an alternative format, please email ina@durham.gov.uk.

Health inequalities and the social determinants of health

The health and wellbeing of the people in County Durham has improved significantly over recent years but remains worse than the England average. Health inequalities remain persistent and pervasive. Levels of deprivation are higher and life expectancy is lower than the England average, with too many of our population suffering from avoidable ill-health or dying prematurely.

Key Messages:
  • The health of people in County Durham is varied compared to the England average.
  • Deprivation is higher than the national average and around 20,000 of our children live in poverty.
  • Life expectancy for men and women is lower than the England average

Factsheet: Health Inequalities and the Social Determinants of Health (PDF; 1013Kb)

Supporting data:

Fingertips: Public 

Health Outcomes Framework

Life Expectancy

People in County Durham are living longer. Life expectancy for men and women has been improving over time – a child born in County Durham today can expect to live a longer, healthier life than ever before.  However, there is inequality in life expectancy between County Durham and England, and within County Durham.

Key Messages:
  • Life expectancy in County Durham has improved for males (78.0) and females (81.3) – both are still behind the England average (79.5) for males and (83.1) for females.
  • The gap between the most deprived and least deprived areas within County Durham is 6.9 years for men and 7.6 years for women.
  • Healthy life expectancy at birth in County Durham remains significantly lower than England for both men and women.

Factsheet: Life Expectancy Page

Bus Journey Infographics (Healthy Life Expectancy):

Castleside to Seaham Stanhope to Blackhall Colliery Middleton-in-Teesdale to Sedgefield
Bus Journey Infographics (Healthy Life Expectancy) Castleside to Seaham Bus Journey Infographics (Healthy Life Expectancy) Stanhope to Blackhall Colliery Bus Journey Infographics (Healthy Life Expectancy) Middleton to Sedgefield

Supporting data sources/associated strategies and plans

Supporting data: