THE health service has published its seventh annual public health report for Redbridge, highlighting health inequalities.

The report shows the gap in life expectancy has widened between men living in deprived areas such as Loxford and affluent areas such as Wanstead.

The gap for women remained the same.

The biggest killers in the borough are cancer, coronary heart disease and circulatory disease while 35,000 people are living with chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes, according to the document.

It also details the response to the swine flu pandemic, which was deemed well-coordinated with effective leadership and infection control.

The document includes proposals to reshape hospital services across the borough and north east London, including the creation of the UK’s first “polysystem” network and a bid to provide better access to health services nearer people’s homes.

There are five GP-led polysystems in Redbridge, responsible for overseeing healthcare in different parts of the borough.

The report also shows a 14 per cent drop in infant mortality and a fall of 21 per cent in deaths of people under 75.

Dr Pratibha Datta , Director of Public Health for NHS Redbridge, said: “The purpose of the public health report is to clarify relevant issues and galvanise appropriate action by the health services and partner agencies to improve health outcomes of the population.”

Copies of report will be available at redbridge.nhs.uk and in local libraries and health centres.