EXPERTS at the Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC) have analysed areas across Wiltshire to reveal the unhealthiest places in the county.
Specialists at CDRC investigated wellbeing by monitoring pollution levels in each Wiltshire neighbourhood, as well as the amount 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 were also taken into account.
An interactive map has now been created to display the findings.
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, meaning it appears blue on the map.
The higher scores are represented with red, indicating the place is less healthy than its blue counterparts.
Areas are also ranked one to 10. The 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.
This is how healthy each area of Wiltshire is:
Salisbury
Salisbury is unhealthy and has been given a score of 7, with the map showing the heart of the city is the worst affected.
The city centre is home to a high number of pubs, takeaways and off licences.
It was also revealed Salisbury has a high number of tobacconists, with the map scoring the city 10 - the worst-performing decile.
One area that is rated particularly unhealthy is Laverstock with a score of 9.
Westbury
Westbury is unhealthy and has been given a score of 7.
One of the least healthy places in the town is towards the north-west - rated 9.
However, there are pockets of yellow in the southern part of town - indicating it is somewhat healthy.
Warminster
The town is classed as healthy and was awarded a score of 3.
To the east of Warminster, experts found the area was the most healthy and is dark blue.
However, the west of the town is ranked as unhealthy and has been given a 7, meaning the area is covered in light orange.
Warminster came out on top for not being close to tobacconists, with the town scoring the highest mark possible in this category.
Amesbury
Amesbury is one of the healthiest towns in Wiltshire after being placed in the best performing decile category, according to the map.
The centre of town is coloured dark blue and towards the east, the area turns a light green - meaning it is still healthy.
Some of the roads in this area include Beamont Way and Beverley Hills Park.
Amesbury performed well in the air quality rating and was awarded a score of 3.
Swindon
Swindon was ranked as somewhat healthy, with the town boasting large pockets of blue mainly on the outskirts.
But, part of the centre of Swindon was rated one of the most unhealthy places, with New Town being ranked 9.
Lower Stratton and South Marston were also ranked the same.
However, to the west of Swindon, Moredon was given a higher rating of 2, indicating it is very healthy.
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