New statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have put a spotlight on stark health inequalities in Nottingham, with men in the Arboretum, Forest and Trent University area expected to live only 48.9 years in good health on average. The figure places the neighbourhood among the lowest-ranked areas in England for male healthy life expectancy, prompting a firm pledge from the city council to tackle the problem.
Council response and causes highlighted
Nottingham City Council’s executive member for adult social care and health acknowledged the scale of the challenge and said more work is needed to improve outcomes across the city. The council pointed to the complex social and economic drivers behind poor health, and said it would continue to collaborate with partners and local communities to address root causes.
“There is much more to do. People’s health is affected by a wide range of social and economic factors, and those living in more deprived communities typically experience poorer outcomes… We will continue working with our partners and local communities to tackle the underlying causes of poor health, improve healthy life expectancy and reduce the unacceptable inequalities across Nottingham.”
The ONS data cover the area defined as Arboretum, Forest and part of the Trent University vicinity and are mirrored by other indicators of deprivation in the ward. The Hyson Green and Arboretum ward — which includes much of the area cited — recorded a child poverty rate of around 64 per cent in 2024, the highest in Nottinghamshire and the worst across the East Midlands.
Voices from the area
Local residents and people using services in the area say poverty and related social problems contribute directly to poor health outcomes. One resident, currently living in temporary accommodation, described a combination of addiction, mental health challenges and homelessness visible on the streets.
“It’s down to poverty, and there are degrees to it. A lot of the residents in the area have mental health problems, drug addictions, and all sorts… I get addiction. I’m an alcoholic. I’m in a hostel myself.”
What the figures show
The ONS healthy life expectancy measure estimates the number of years a person might expect to live in 'good' health. Local authorities and health partners use these estimates to target prevention and services. In Nottingham, the new data underline an urgent need for joined-up action spanning housing, social care, mental health support, substance misuse services and poverty reduction.
- 48.9 years — median healthy life expectancy for men in Arboretum/Forest/Trent University area (ONS)
- 64% — proportion of children in poverty in Hyson Green and Arboretum ward (2024)
- Council has pledged continued partnership work to tackle underlying causes
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Male healthy life expectancy (Arboretum/Forest/Trent area) | 48.9 years |
| Child poverty (Hyson Green & Arboretum ward, 2024) | 64% |
Addressing healthy life expectancy requires long-term, cross-sector work. Public-health teams, the council, voluntary organisations and health services will need to coordinate to reduce the social and economic pressures that shorten healthy lives for men in the worst-affected neighbourhoods. The council’s promise of action will now be measured against tangible improvements in residents’ day-to-day health and wellbeing.
