A health report on people living in Swale has revealed they lead less healthy lifestyles, achieve lower GCSE grades and children exercise below the national average.

The health of people living in the borough is “mixed” compared to the rest of the country according to the 2008 Health Profile for Swale.

The findings were due to be discussed at Swale council’s Community Scrutiny Panel last night (Thursday).

The report said there are health inequalities, with women from the most deprived areas living five years less than women from more affluent areas.

It estimates 30 per cent of adults smoke with a higher than average death rate from smoking-related illnesses.

For more see next week's Times Guardian