THE health gap between the rich and the poor in Southampton and South West Hampshire is wider than at any point in the last 20 years, according to a new report.

The 1999 Public Health Report states that although the region is affluent compared with many other parts of the country, deprivation can be found throughout the area.

Southampton is classed as one of the most badly-affected areas in the England, with five city wards - Bargate, St Luke's, Freemantle, Redbridge and Bitterne - finishing in the bottom ten per cent of the country's most deprived areas.

And even small areas of the New Forest show signs of poverty-related illness, despite the area's reputation for economic prosperity.

Smoking, stress, poor diet and lack of exercise were just some of the factors having a direct impact on health, according to the research. Andrew Mortimore, consultant in public health medicine, said: "These reports are picking up the great range of health experiences around the country.

"The information isn't all new to us but it will help find ways of targeting our efforts to address the inequalities."

The report found that:

Around 29 per cent of men and 28 per cent of women smoked.

27 per cent of the local population was stressed.

46 per cent of men and 35 per cent of women in Eastleigh were overweight or obese.

30 per cent of local people aged over 65 had a fall each year.

Poorer areas of the region showed higher number of deaths through cancer and heart disease.

There was also a lower uptake of cervical smear screening, a greater incidence of smoking and obesity and a higher proportion of low birth-weight babies.

Mr Mortimore said that action was being taken on a "number of fronts" to address the health inequalities.

He added: "The Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority has to work closely with local authorities and other agencies to look at a number of issues, including education, housing, employment, tackling social exclusion and social cohesion."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.