Rutland has been recognised in a list of the UK's healthiest places to live.

Ever wondered which region in the UK tops the charts in health metrics? Or how does your local area fare when pitted against the rest regarding public health indicators?

The answers are in and Rutland has performed well...

A recent study by Health and Wellness expert at Blue Horizon Blood Tests assessed various UK local authorities, government districts, boroughs, and counties.

The results revealed that Peterborough was the least healthy area in 2023, scoring 40 out of 100 - an area that is only a short drive from Rutland, one of the top scoring areas.

The rankings were based on an analysis of 12 distinct criteria: air quality (PM2.5 concentration), adult smoking rates, alcohol misuse, the prevalence of cancer, diabetes, drug misuse, healthy eating habits, high blood pressure, kidney and liver diseases, adults with mental health problems, obesity rates, and physical activity levels.

Rutland offers many spots to get outside and enjoy exercise and fresh air. Image credit: Nub News.

For each criterion, a score of up to 100 was awarded. These scores were subsequently combined and adjusted, producing a final score for each area. All the data utilised for this assessment originated from The Office for National Statistics.

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This study offers an in-depth perspective into the health dynamics of various UK regions. It serves as a pivotal resource for understanding the overall health conditions and well-being patterns across different parts of the country.

20 Healthiest Areas in the UK 2023

1. South Hams
2. South Lakeland
3. The Derbyshire Dales
4. Eden
5. Richmondshire
6. Royal Tunbridge Wells
7. Richmond upon Thames
8. Sevenoaks
9. Waverley
10. Harrogate 
11. Elmbridge
12. Rutland - Rutland is a ceremonial county located in the East Midlands. It's famous for having the largest manmade lake in the United Kingdom within its boundaries. As a result, it has many active adults at 74% of the population. 
13. Allerdale
14. Craven
15. West Oxfordshire
16. Bath and Northeast Somerset
17. West Devon 
18. Hambleton - Ranking 18th on the list, Hambleton, a village and civil parish in Rutland, collected 73.1 points out of 80. It scored well for air quality (5.1 PM2.5) and has a relatively low percentage of people 18 and older who smoke (10.7%). Those two factors could explain why a low percentage of people reported having cancer (3.4%). 
19. North Hertfordshire
20. South Oxfordshire

Where is your favourite place in Rutland to get out and about? Image credit: Nub News.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Peterborough was ranked as the unhealthiest place to live in the survey.

Besides poor air quality (PM2.5 at 7), it witnesses a 28.7% cancer self-report rate. Nearly 60.7% of its population have a BMI classified as overweight or obese.

View the full survey here.

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