Researchers of the University Liverpool recently presented a new study that identifies the healthiest and unhealthiest places to life in the UK and presents information about the concentration of either health damaging or health promoting amenities. To assess this, the researchers used a wide range of different freely available data, including for example the proximity to health services and parks and levels of air pollution.

Many places in Scotland are at the forefront

The study reveals that eight of the top ten healthiest places to live are located in Scotland. Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire is one of the leading neighbourhoods, as Britain’s second and Scotland’s most healthiest place. Also Fauldhouse in West Lothian as third and Foxbar in Renfrewshire as fourth position can call themselves healthiest areas to live. Additionally the Scottish towns Glenboig and Kilsyth, both in Lanarkshire, Marnoch in North Lanarkshire, as well as Ballingry and Kinghorn, both in Fife, and Coupar Angus, in Perthshire, made the top 10.

Open access tool

The data resource is freely available online for everyone. Dr Mark Green, leading researcher of the study commented: “We anticipate that this resource will be an important tool for citizens and policy makers alike interested in how their neighbourhoods may be associated to their health.”

Have a read through the study design and discover how healthy your neighbourhood is.