25% NI Poverty Rate 'Widening Life Expectancy Gap'

A quarter of people in Northern Ireland are living in poverty, a researcher has claimed, shortening their life expectancy compared to those living in wealthier areas.

Martin Caraher spoke today at the West Belfast Festival.

The professor of food and health policy at London’s City University said rising food prices was making the problem ever more urgent.

He said: "With almost a quarter of people living in Northern Ireland, coupled with increasing food prices, the issue of food poverty is becoming ever more urgent.

"This is adding to the decline in health in areas where life expectancy in men can be on average eight years shorter than those living in wealthier areas in Northern Ireland, while for women the gap is five years. Trends suggest that this gap is widening.

"Living in poverty puts people at risk of poor dietary intake. This not only affects what people eat but also has implications for lifestyle, social interaction and, importantly, health status.

"We know that many see food as a flexible item in the household budget and healthy food such as fresh fruit and vegetables can often be more expensive."

Professor Caraher said cheap, processed food is replacing nutritionally-balanced meals for many households.

He called on the government to establish food welfare programs so that people would be able to "make healthy choices".

(NE)