Previous JSNA products - Staffordshire Observatory

Contents

Air quality

  • Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in the UK, which can have a significant impact on peoples’ health.
  • Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels across Staffordshire do not exceed World Health Organization guidelines. In addition, rates in Staffordshire for many associated health conditions are generally in line with national, suggesting this is not a key concern locally. 
  • During 2019 there were 440 deaths (5.1%) in adults aged 30+ estimated to be attributable to poor air quality, ranging from 4.8% (50 deaths) in Staffordshire Moorlands to 5.6% (40 deaths) in Tamworth.
  • Walking, cycling and other forms of active travel are good for improving health and reducing air pollution, however levels of adults walking (16%) or cycling (1%) for travel are typically lower than average in Staffordshire. 

Fraction of mortality attributable to particulate air pollution, 2019






Horizontal bar chart showing percentages across England, the West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Staffordshire districts. The West Midlands has the highest regional value at just over 5.3%, followed closely by Tamworth at around 5.5%. England and Staffordshire are both slightly above 5%. East Staffordshire, Lichfield, and Cannock Chase are also above 5%, while South Staffordshire, Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Staffordshire Moorlands are lower, with Staffordshire Moorlands the lowest at around 4.7%. The x-axis ranges from 0% to 6% and is labelled “Percentage”.

Source: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs