Local health, public health data for small geographic areas
Correction notice (October 2025)
We have found an error in the unemployment: people claiming out of work benefit (aged 16 to 64) indicator for 2024 to 2025. This affected the counts for middle super output areas 2021 (MSOA 2021) level geographies. This data has been corrected. No other figures within the indicator were affected.
Ward data (October 2025)
Ward level data were removed from the local health, public health data for small geographical areas Fingertips tool as part of the August 2025 update. Following user feedback, ward level data files have been made available as separate downloadable .ods files.
Electoral Ward (2021) level data can be accessed for each of the 4 topic areas;
Behavioural risk factors and child health
Life expectancy and causes of death
Data are only provided for the indicators that are currently displayed in the local health Fingertips tool. The files provide data that were published prior to the August 2025 update and may not be available for the same time point as the current live site.
In future releases of the local health tool, we aim to include data for wards and NHS geographies. In addition, we are exploring ways to estimate data for small geographical areas which can be built up into larger areas to make recent data available more quickly.
Introduction
Local health is a collection of public health indicators presented at small geographical areas. By breaking the data down to smaller areas, hidden inequalities can be highlighted. Local Health contains indicators related to:
- population and demographic factors, including age, sex and deprivation
- health outcomes
- wider determinants of health, including housing and living environment
A core aim of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) is reducing health inequalities. Local health data can be used to target interventions in areas where there is most need.
Local health allows comparisons between small and large areas, for a single point in time. The data is not designed for time trend analysis. The data covers areas ranging from middle super output areas (MSOA), statistical regions, local authorities, and England.
The latest local health statistical commentary for the 2022 update: Local health commentary
Useful documents
Further guidance to geographic areas: Office for National Statistics UK geographies page.
Guidance on methods for small geographic areas: The association of public health observatories (APHO) technical briefing 6
Contact us: For enquiries or feedback relating to local health, email PHA-OHID@dhsc.gov.uk