Experts at the Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC) have analysed areas across Richmond to show the unhealthiest places in the Borough
Specialists at CDRC investigated wellbeing by monitoring pollution levels in each London neighbourhood, as well as the number of parks and recreational spaces.
The availability of health services, such as GP surgeries and pharmacies, and the number of takeaways, pubs and gambling shops was also considered.
An interactive map has now been created to display the findings, showing both the healthiest and unhealthiest areas based on the factors.
How does the map work?
The map tracks a CDRC's health index - also known as Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards (AHAH).
It takes into consideration:
• Retail environment (access to fast food outlets, pubs, off-licences, tobacconists, gambling outlets)
• Health services (access to GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, leisure services)
• Physical environment (Blue Space, Green Space - Active, Green Space - Passive)
• Air quality (Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate Matter 10, Sulphur Dioxide).
Each of these factors is tracked and provides an overall AHAH score for that area.
The lower the score the healthier the area is, appearing blue on the map.
Unhealthier areas have higher scores and are shown in red.
Areas are also ranked one to 10 - healthiest areas are given a rank of one while the unhealthiest regions are classed as a 10.
If you want to check out your area in more detail you can view the whole map by clicking here.
Below is the ranking of the five unhealthiest areas in south west London, followed by the scores of the other major areas, including the healthiest:
Popular with families and young professionals, Balham has a high concentration of red indicators (the worst performing decile) meaning the area is extremely unhealthy. The AHAH score is 40.06 with very poor air quality scores, including high levels of nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide.
Whitton - 10
The worst performing on the list Whitton has an AHAH score of 36.95. The area is built up and has poor access to green spaces and heavy air pollution.
Richmond upon Thames – 9
In the 9th decile Richmond has good access to health care services and green spaces, probably as it borders Richmond Park. However, its high AHAH score of 30.83 is due to poor air quality and a high number of pubs, off licenses and fast-food outlets.
Twickenham – 9
In the second worst performing decile Twickenham’s AHAH score is 30.1. Near the River Thames, the area has access to lots of leisure services, but again it ranks poorly on air quality.
Teddington - 9
Teddington has an AHAH score of 28.91. Residents are near green and blue spaces but have access to tobacconist and gambling outlets in the centre.
Barnes – 9
Barnes is in the 9th decile with a high AHAH score of 27.89. It scores badly on air pollution – including rates of sulphur and nitrogen dioxide.
Hampton – 5
Hampton performs reasonably well on all accounts for a south London area. In the 5th decile it has good access to health services with an AHAH score of 19.50.
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