England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty used his 2021 annual report to cast a spotlight on the “overlooked” issues in coastal towns, which have higher rates of poor health and lower life expectancies.
The challenges facing towns such as Blackpool, Skegness and Hastings have more in common with each other than their inland neighbouring towns, he said.
Life expectancies in the most deprived parts of Hastings are 11 years lower than Crowborough, 25 miles away in East Sussex.
But Prof Whitty’s report also praised the town’s “strong sense of identity and community”, adding that the pandemic had demonstrated “the passion, organisational skills, creativity and effectiveness of Hastings” as volunteers stepped forward to help.
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