Burngreave - Top of the coughs

by Mark Lankshear

Early results of a Sheffield wide survey suggest that since 1994 Burngreave has jumped to the top of the tables for chest disease. Sheffield Health Authority, who carried out the SHAIPS 2 postal survey, told the Messenger that figures did seem to have jumped markedly and that it might indicate a problem, but that due to factors like low response rates from Burngreave it isn’t yet clear if this represents a real rise. The full report on the survey which was completed in late 2000, will be published by early 2002. The North Sheffield PCT is already targeting chest disease as a local priority with improved monitoring of chronic diseases like bronchitis and the smoking cessation programme. Smoking is by far the highest risk factor for all chest diseases, both for the smoker and those around them, especially children and babies. If you want help giving up smoking ring the National Smoking Helpline on 08001690169 or for on line help visit: Because difficulties in accessing traditional services has been identified as a problem in Burngreave the smoking cessation service is working to find new places to provide the service. Contact Eileen Coombs on 271 6287 if you could play host to a group. Efforts to reduce smoking are more likely to reduce chest disease than anything else but only 30% Burngreave residents said they smoked, making us 9th in the city, way behind areas like Manor who reported rates of higher than 45%. Concerns about atmospheric pollution from high levels of traffic, local industry and from waste disposal have been raised ever since the New Deal roadshows in April 2000. The year one New Deal plan included an 'Environment and Health Audit' to be carried out by the Environment and Regulatory Services of the Council, including measures of air quality and pollution, but this year the Messenger learnt that the survey had been shelved due to 'lack of community involvement'. The Environment group and the Health Group have both been pressing for this promised work to be started and have now been told it will depend on identifying community partners and on local residents taking part in a steering group. If you would like to join a steering group and help investigate how the environment is affecting our health, please contact me at the Messenger or email me at healthpages@drmark.f9.co.uk.

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