Our Place

The geography of Lincolnshire and its population demographics present specific challenges for health and wellbeing and contribute to some of the health inequalities identified within the Lincolnshire JSNA. The inequalities seen in older age groups, people who live in more deprived areas and people who live in rural areas coalesce in many coastal areas. Few areas in the UK combine all these factors in the way that Lincolnshire does. 

Coastal communities have some of the worst health outcomes in England, including low life expectancy and high rates of major diseases. In 2021, the Chief Medical Officer highlighted the challenges of coastal communities in their Annual Report, including case studies on coastal communities in Lincolnshire. The report identified some of the reasons for inequalities and set out a range of recommendations to improve outcomes.  

In addition to 50 miles of coastline, Lincolnshire has large expanses of rural land and urban centres of different size and make-up. There are some obvious geographic distinctions between these places, and each has different challenges and opportunities in relation to health and wellbeing. These differences are becoming better understood, and this understanding will help us to promote health, reduce inequalities and provide services to those who need them.  

The 2022 Director of Public Health Annual Report for Greater Lincolnshire identified four types of community:  

• Urban centre  

• Urban industrial  

• Coastal community  

• Rural and market town  

Each community was described in more detail in the 2022 DPH Annual Report. In summary, urban centre communities can be categorised as those where building density is highest. Urban industrial communities also have a high building density but are characterised by their links to heavy industry such as electricity generation, with a low amount of agricultural work, financial, professional, and scientific services. Coastal communities are those directly situated on the coast, with local business dominated by accommodation, leisure, and food services. The remaining areas are classified as rural and market town communities, characterised by large areas of agricultural land and green open space with small towns acting as a local focus.

The following interactive dashboard shows the intersectionality between urban-rurality and deprivation between communities in Lincolnshire by Lower-Super Output-Area (LSOA).