One system, two places

Where and how we live plays a huge role in our health and wellbeing. Dorset is split into two ‘places’ – the area covered by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, and the area covered by Dorset Council. We need to know how these two places shape the health and wellbeing of the people living there.

Across the whole of Dorset:

13.1%

People earning or living below the minimum living wage

5.9%

Armed Forces veterans

11.9%

Carers (both paid and unpaid)

12.5%

Working age adults self employed

30.6%

Number of households with only one adult in the house

13.5%

Number of children living in poverty

Population of BCP Council area by age category

Population of Dorset Council area by age category

In summary

  • Coastal communities have much poorer health outcomes than other areas. More people are living with diabetes,
    heart disease and cancer
  • High house prices make it difficult to attract people to health and care jobs
  • Coastal areas have fewer consultants, medical trainees and nurses compared to inland areas, despite having
    older populations with greater needs
  • The ageing population could be an asset rather than a problem. Many older retired people volunteer or care for people
    and have huge life experience
  • Health inequality affects health and wellbeing from early years to later in life in both BCP and Dorset council areas.