THE north-south divide will be revealed in a new government study of the nation's health to be published today.

Men in the south live two years longer than those in the north who are affected partly by higher obesity levels and smoking-related disease.

Life expectancy for women in the north is also a year shorter, according to the ''Health Profile of England'' being unveiled today.

It comes after the Daily Echo earlier this year published findings from community health check reports giving a snapshot of the state of health across Hampshire.

In general the state of the county's health was around the national average but in some communities worrying trends were beginning to emerge.

From bad air quality in Winchester to below average results in GCSEs in Southampton, the study also identified an above average level of child poverty in Southampton.

The city also scored badly with higher than national average rates of binge drinking and those who smoke. The New Forest area was identified as having an above average number of obese adults while Winchester came out as one of the highest areas for life expectancy in the country.

The Government hope the new the information will help areas measure their progress in tackling health inequalities and seek help from those performing better.

It also measures Government progress in tackling health issues since it launched a new campaign in 2004.

Department of Health figures showed in August that millions more adults and children will be obese by 2010 without dramatic action.

A third of adults and a fifth of all children will be obese, leading to greater suffering from cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Read our special HAMPSHIRE HEALTH REPORT in News Briefing

Click here to see the Community Health reports for the south

Then to find the profile for your authority click on the relevant initial letter from the list.