A recent study by bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk has ranked Mendip district 30th overall in the UK across a range of public health indicators, revealing a nuanced picture of the community's well-being.

Air quality appears to be a strong point for Mendip, with the population-weighted annual mean PM2.5 level at 6.7 micrograms per cubic metre, a figure considered moderate and relatively favourable compared to other districts. In terms of smoking, 9.4% of adults in the district are self-reported smokers, a moderate statistic when compared to other regions.

However, the district has recorded 450.2 hospital admissions per 100,000 people for alcohol-specific issues.

Although not the highest rate, it suggests that alcohol misuse is a noteworthy concern for local healthcare services. Additionally, the self-reported rate of cancer in Mendip stands at 5.4%, which may warrant further study on contributing factors.

Another area for attention is the self-reported rate of diabetes, which is relatively high at 6.2%. This metric suggests that lifestyle diseases like diabetes are an area where more focused healthcare services and public health campaigns may be beneficial.

Drug misuse in the area is moderate, with 1.8 drug-related offences per 1,000 people. While not an alarming rate, it does indicate a need for targeted interventions.

In terms of diet, 67.5% of Mendip residents consume at least five portions of fruits and vegetables each day, a positive indicator for the district. However, 63.2% of adults in the area have a BMI classified as overweight, including obese, a figure that is moderately high and points to the importance of addressing obesity as a public health issue.

Regarding high blood pressure, 19.2% of residents report having this condition, a statistic that is somewhat higher than desired and could be an area for potential intervention. Likewise, the district's self-reported rate of mental health conditions is high at 18.2%, indicating a need for improved mental health services.

On a positive note, 72.5% of adults in Mendip are physically active, which is a favourable statistic for the general health of the population and may counterbalance some of the less favourable health indicators.

The report on Mendip's public health shows a combination of positive and concerning indicators.

Areas such as air quality, physical activity, and dietary habits seem promising. However, challenges related to alcohol abuse, chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and mental health may require targeted public health interventions.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "A huge range of free health advice and support is available on the Healthy Somerset website https://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/ – you can find information about mental health support, stopping smoking, healthy weight, and much more.

"We regularly run public health campaigns on social media, so follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok for the most up to date information and resources. 

"This week we have been encouraging adults to 'Know Your Numbers' and measure their blood pressure. There are blood pressure monitors to loan for free from all Somerset libraries and more information and advice can be found here: https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/ "