Sussex Community Foundation has revealed stark health and wellbeing inequalities across the county in its latest Improving Health Report, produced in partnership with Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI).
The report identifies clear hotspots. Brighton & Hove has the highest suicide mortality rate in Sussex, men in Hastings live two years less than the national average and Eastbourne records high hospital admissions for self-harm.
Overall, mental health needs are above average and worsening, particularly in urban and coastal communities ranked among the top 10% most deprived areas in England.
Around 80,000 people live in these areas, including parts of Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Arun and Rother. Premature deaths from largely preventable conditions are more than double the England baseline in Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove. Long-term illness among working-age adults is also rising, with Kemptown in Brighton & Hove particularly affected.
Hastings ranks highest locally for most mental health indicators, while Eastbourne has high levels of depression. Brighton & Hove’s suicide rate stands at 79 per 100,000, compared with 48 nationally. More than 5% of children in parts of Bexhill, Wealden and Brighton are carers, against 1.1% nationally.
Vicky Booth, head of philanthropy and development, said: “We exist to make Sussex a fairer and more equal place by connecting people who care with causes that matter.
“This data-led report will enable us to have the biggest impact in the areas which need it the most, working together with charities to improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities.”
Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde said: “This vital report exposes the stark health inequalities facing Sussex residents. In part of my own patch of Eastbourne and beyond, our communities experience preventable deaths at twice the national rate.
“These aren’t just statistics; they’re our neighbours struggling to access healthcare, young carers struggling to stay afloat and families facing mental health crises.
“We must direct resources to our coastal communities where deprivation and poor health intersect most acutely, supporting the local charities doing crucial work while demanding better access to primary care and mental health services.”
Dr Tim Fooks, High Sheriff of West Sussex, added: “Sussex Community Foundation’s Improving Health Report gives us a clearer, deeper understanding of what shapes health across our communities and neighbourhoods.
“At the heart of tackling these challenges is community: local knowledge, local action, and people, especially those with lived experience, coming together to support one another and drive lasting change.”
