Policy & Practice: Health check - Teenage mental health admissionsLiverpool

Expected hospital admissions of 15- to 19-year-olds from 2002-05: 177

Liverpool is dominated by small Victorian terraces built to house 19th century industrial workers. Nowadays the majority of these terraces are occupied by low-income families, the elderly and unemployed. The general health of people in this community is poor. Correspondingly, there are above average rates of hospital admissions for mental illness. Many people are heavy smokers and drinkers. Hospital admissions because of alcohol and drug abuse run at over twice the national average, which may also be a contributing factor to the higher levels of mental illness.

Source: Actual admissions represent emergency hospital admissions for the financial years 2002-03 to 2004-05 combined. Expected admissions are calculated by applying the national rate to the population in each relevant local authority for the age group and condition selected. Data compiled for Young People Now by the Dr Foster unit at Imperial College, London (www.drfoster.co.uk). Area descriptions provided by Experian.