We want to ensure every child in Tower Hamlets has the best possible start in life, which can then continue for the remainder of their lives. We will work to ease the effects of deprivation, early illnesses and support parents of young children.
Children in poverty
39% of children in Tower Hamlets live in poverty – the highest rate of poverty in the UK
Low birth weight
9% of the 4,500 babies born each year have a low birth weight
Pregnancies with diabetes
Around 10% of pregnancies are complicated by diabetes
Mental health
20% of mothers in Tower Hamlets are estimated to have a common mental health disorder
By developing stronger links between health, childcare, education, social care, voluntary and community organisations, Tower Hamlets Together aims to improve health and care services for children, young people and their families that are responsive to their needs and pressing concerns.
Obesity
12% of 4 to 5 year olds and 25% of 10 to 11 year olds in Tower Hamlets are obese
Tooth decay
High rates of tooth decay amongst children aged 5 years, with the need for tooth extraction being the largest single cause of hospital admissions for children
Mental illness
Approximately 10% of children are estimated to have a mental illness
High rates of sexually transmitted infections
Tower Hamlets has high rates of sexually transmitted infections, particularly among people under the age of 24
A rapid increase in residents aged 35-64 will bring new challenges for local health and social care services in Tower Hamlets. With people living longer, and with one or multiple long-term health conditions, we are exploring ways to provide support for adults throughout the Borough.
Premature death rate
Tower Hamlets has the second highest premature death rate from circulatory disease, cancer and respiratory disease of all the London boroughs
Life expectancy
Men in Tower Hamlets have the lowest healthy life expectancy in the country, at 53.6 years compared with 63.3 years nationally
Years of good health
Women in Tower Hamlets are expected to have 57.1 years of good health, compared with the national average of 63.9 years
Diabetes
There are high rates of diabetes, particularly amongst the Bangladeshi community
Serious mental health disorders
Tower Hamlets has the fourth highest incidence of serious mental illness in London and 10% of people registered with a GP are observed as suffering depression
Cancer
Although improving, one-year survival from cancer is in the lowest 10% in the country and is particularly poor for breast, colorectal and prostate cancer
The legacy of the Tower Hamlets Together Vanguard (link) and greater cross-system working has given us the opportunity to think about how we can better organise ourselves and the heath and social services around the population that we serve. In order to do this and avoid duplication, we have developed three workstreams to bring stakeholders together from across the THT partners around the following population groups:
We believe every child should have the best possible start in life. We aim to develop health and education services in Tower Hamlets for both maternity and childhood, improving their physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
We aim to simplify and enhance the way care is provided to support the continued health and wellbeing of adults in Tower Hamlets, particularly those with long-term health conditions or who are vulnerable to illness.
We intend to improve the experience and wellbeing of residents aged 50 and over throughout Tower Hamlets, working alongside the older generation to identify what matters most as they grow older.
These workstreams are in very early development, but the intention is that our population will fit into one of these groupings, ensuring that services and provisions supported by Tower Hamlets Together better tailored to the needs of the group.
