Jersey Health Profile published

09 February 2023

​The Jersey Health Profile combines data and knowledge from various available sources on health and wellbeing for the population of Jersey. Indicators are presented for both adults and children, and several chapters have been broadened since the profiles' last iteration in 2016. 

The profile, which covers data up to 2021 (or 2022 where possible), provides a position statement for Islanders about various aspects of our population's health, which can be monitored for changes over time. 

The profile also provides comparisons between Jersey and other jurisdictions and a comprehensive insight into the general health status, health inequalities and health care needs at the population level.

Key findings include:

• People continue to live longer lives than they did historically, with average life expectancy in Jersey amongst the highest in Europe. Jersey's population is aging, and women can expect to live longer than men, similar to trends in the UK and elsewhere
• Jersey compares favourably to other jurisdictions in many areas. For example, breastfeeding rates in Jersey are higher than those in England, uptake of childhood immunisations exceeds the 95% World Health Organisation target for almost all programmes, and the 2021 Census showed that self-perceived health status for Jersey's residents is amongst the highest in Europe
• The report also highlights around a quarter of adults were found to be drinking at potentially hazardous or harmful levels, and 69% of adults were eating less than the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables
• Inequalities exist in terms of income, and data suggests the income gap is not closing over time. The combined index of deprivation also indicates existing inequalities amongst our Island community that are likely to be having an impact on health and wellbeing. 
  

Comment from Director of Public Health

Director of Public Health, Professor Peter Bradley, said ""I welcome the publication of the Jersey Health Profile which closely aligns to the Director of Public Health report, released last week. The report, examining data of Islanders' health and wellbeing, is a major component which will help inform our Public Health Strategy 2023, and provides a comprehensive insight into the general health status, health inequalities and health care needs at the population level."

The full public health profile profile can be seen online.