London has Highest Rate of new HIV Diagnoses
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): The British capital has the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses, accounting for just over half of all new cases, and the highest prevalence.

Department of Health statistics show that the number of HIV cases reported in London increased by 58 per cent between 2001 and 2005 to reach more than 40,000. A majority of these have been among black Africans, mostly acquired in Africa.

The figures also show that there are particularly high mortality rates (30 - 40 per cent higher than national averages) of coronary heart disease among people born in South Asia.

There is a social gradient in deaths from coronary heart disease and lung cancer the death rate from these is three and four times higher respectively among unskilled manual men or working age than among professional men.

A report released by the Mayor of London office says that London continues to be a much healthier place for some than for others.

While in general people are living much longer than ever before, there are considerable variations in Londoners’ health both between different areas and between different groups.

Poor quality housing, unemployment and the lack of access to public services all contribute to unequal health outcomes.

The report notes that variations in life expectancy between London boroughs are marked.

Taking the 3-year average for 2002 - 2004, there was a difference of almost seven years between the boroughs with the highest and lowest life expectancies.

There is a 2.5 times difference between the boroughs with the highest (Tower Hamlets) and lowest (Bromley) rates of circulatory disease.

The highest infant mortality rates are found in Southwark, Newham and Haringey,the localities dominated by the black and the south asian communities. In these boroughs infant mortality is almost double that in Wandsworth, Richmond and Kensington and Chelsea, the boroughs with the lowest rates.

The release of the document starts a consultation process on how the Mayor should fulfil the new duty to tackle health inequalities proposed in the Greater London Authority Bill, currently before Parliament.●