Foreword
Health and lifestyle surveys are vital in helping us to understand the health and wellbeing of the population of our city and the inequalities that our residents experience. By gathering robust data that can be broken down by different areas in the city and by population groups, we can identify key trends, and highlight emerging public health issues, whilst also revealing the extent of inequalities in health and wellbeing across different communities.
Our Public Health team has commissioned Health Counts surveys in Brighton & Hove approximately once every decade since 1992 (1992, 2003, 2012 and 2024).
The 2024 survey includes new questions, reflecting important Public Health issues in the city, covering gambling related harm, suicidal thoughts and attempts, harassment and hate crime, alongside access to nature and the natural environment, for the first time.
I am incredibly grateful to everyone in the city who completed this confidential survey. By sharing information about your health and wellbeing and your experience of your local community, we can better understand the health and wellbeing of our population. The latest survey was the largest health and wellbeing survey we have undertaken in the city, with a weighted sample of 16,729 people - 7% of the resident population aged 18 years or over.
The Health Counts 2024 survey findings give some of the best evidence on the population of the city, their health and wellbeing, and the stark inequalities across the city - whether by area of the city, or for particular communities .Some of the findings are not an easy read, covering sensitive areas, and evidencing health inequalities affecting our communities, while recognising their strengths and resilience.
We are committed, alongside our partners in the NHS and community and voluntary sector, to use this deeper understanding to maintain and improve health and wellbeing for everyone across our city and to tackle inequalities.
I would like to thank Professor Nigel Sherriff and the University of Brighton team who led the research, in collaboration with Brighton & Sussex Medical School, our Public Health Intelligence team, particularly Kate Gilchrist, our Head of Public Health Intelligence and Research, NHS Sussex, HealthWatch Brighton & Hove and the Brighton & Hove Federation of Primary Care - as well as our GP practices, and community and voluntary sector for supporting and promoting the survey to make it possible to have this rich picture of our population.
Caroline Vass, Acting Director of Public Health
About Health Counts
Health Counts is a health and wellbeing survey of Brighton & Hove residents conducted around once a decade. The findings highlight health and lifestyle issues, revealing inequalities across the city. This evidence informs the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and local strategies to improve health wellbeing and reduce inequalities.
The 2024 survey, funded by Brighton & Hove City Council's Public Health Department, had a weighted sample of 16,729 adults - 7.2% of the resident population aged 18 years or over.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Brighton, in collaboration with Brighton & Hove Medical School, Brighton & Hove City Council Public Health Intelligence team, NHS Sussex, Healthwatch Brighton & Hove, and Brighton & Hove Federation, it provides detailed insights by population groups and areas of the city.
Information on the survey methods is available in the full report.
This summary, and a longer report with more detail on each theme covered in the survey, are the first reports from the 2024 survey to be published. The fuller report provides breakdowns by population groups, areas of the city, and trends where available. Please note that figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Further area and population group profiles will be published in future.
For more information contact publichealthintelligence@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Demographics
Data collected on many demographic characteristics is similar to the 2021 Census, giving reassurance that the weighted sample is representative of the city population.
However, we know that the Census figures were a considerable underestimate of our TNBI and LGBQ+ adults. Health Counts gives much higher estimates, which we believe are more representative of the city's significant TNBI and LGBQ+ populations.
- 5% TNBI (Trans, non-binary or intersex) - Higher than the 2021 Census at 1% of adults in the city
- 28% LGBQ+ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, queer or prefer another term to describe their sexual orientation but are not heterosexual) - Higher than the 2021 Census at 11% of adults.
- 13% Neurodivergent adults - no comparative data available.
- 24% Black and Racially Minoritised (Non-White British) - Similar to the in 2021 Census at 26%.
- 60% have no religion - Similar to the 2021 Census at 55%.
- 28% have a Christian religion, compared to 31% in 2021 Census.
- 2% are Muslim compared to 3% in 2021 Census,
- people who have a Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism faith represent 1% each, which is similar to the 2021 Census.
- 0.9% live in temporary or emergency accommodation - this is the first time these results are able to be presented in Health Counts.
- 16% provide some unpaid care - higher than the 8% in 2021 Census
- 35% married or in a civil partnership - similar to the 2021 Census at 33%.
- 0.4% are a refugee and 0.2% are an asylum seeker - no comparative data available.
- 4% have ever lived in care as a child or young person - this is the first time that this question has been asked. No comparative figure available.
- 1.5% previously served in the regular UK Armed Forces, 0.6% reserve - similar to the 2021 Census at 1.7% (regular) and 0.6% (reserve)
General health and disability
General health
In all four Health Counts surveys, respondents were asked about their perception of their own health. This provides a valuable, personal perspective on an individual's overall health status, often reflecting their lived experience and can be a strong predictor of health outcomes. In addition, we ask about long-term physical and mental health conditions, neurodiversity and disability.
69% of adults perceive themselves to be in good, very good or excellent health
A decrease from 83% in 2012, 79% in 2003 and 82% in 1992 Health Counts.
22% perceive themselves to be in fair health
An increase from 12% in 2012 Health Counts.
10% perceive themselves to be in poor health
An increase from 5% in 2012 Health Counts.
Inequalities
56% of people living in the most deprived areas are in good or better health compared to 76% of people in the least deprived areas. The absolute inequality gap has widened from 15% in 2003 to 20% in 2024 Health Counts.
People in the following groups are less likely to be in good or better health:
- adults aged 75 and over
- females
- TNBI adults
- LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary or emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system as a child or young person
- unpaid carers
And people living in the following areas:
- Whitehawk
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Coldean and Stanmer
- Kemptown
- Central Brighton
- Portslade
- Hangleton and Knoll
- Woodingdean
Disability
37% report that their day-to-day activities are limited by a long-term physical or mental health condition or illness
An increase from 26% of adults who said they had a long-standing illness, disability or health problem in 2012 Health Counts.
Higher than 19% reported in the 2021 Census for Brighton & Hove.
Inequalities
The groups more likely be a disabled adult are similar to the groups for general health, with the addition of adults from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups and Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller ethnic groups.
Falls and pains
Many falls and fractures experienced by older adults can be prevented through appropriate support and environmental changes. Reducing falls and fractures is important for maintaining the health, wellbeing and independence of older adults.
Chronic pain affects millions of people in the UK and can have a huge impact on quality of life, in terms of both physical and mental wellbeing.
19% of adults have had a fall in the past year
13% reported having one fall and 7% reported more than one fall.
Health Counts 2012 recorded 16% of adults as having had a fall in the past 6 months
Inequalities
Falls are very age related with 14% of 35 to 44 year-olds having fallen in the past year compared to 43% of those aged 85 and over.
Falls are slightly higher for younger people, than for 35 to 44 year-olds, with 19% of 18 to 24 year-olds and 15% of 25 to 34-year-olds reporting a fall in the past year.
For 13%, pain interferes with their normal work extremely or quite a bit (This includes both work outside the home and housework)
An increase from 9% in 2003 and 2012, and 7% in 1992.
Inequalities
Pain is very age related, at 9% of 18 to 24 year-olds to 29% of those aged 85+ years.
Emotional wellbeing and mental health
We know that emotional wellbeing and mental health are significant issues in Brighton & Hove.
There ae more people experiencing mental health challenges when compared to England, higher hospital admissions for self-harm and high rates of suicide and undetermined injury deaths.
Health Counts gives us greater understanding of this key public health issue in the city.
24% of adults recorded a low happiness score (scoring between 0 to 4 on a scale where 0 is 'not at all happy' and 10 is 'completely happy')
An increase from 11% in 2012 Health Counts
Higher than 9% reported in the 2022/23 Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey for Brighton & Hove (based upon the ONS Annual Population Survey which is currently being reviewed for quality of results due to sample size at local authority level).
38% had a high anxiety score (Scoring between 6 to 10 on a scale where 0 is 'not anxious' and 10 is 'completely anxious')
An increase from 25% in 2012 Health Counts.
Higher than 27% reported in 2022/23 ONS survey for Brighton & Hove.
Inequalities
35% of people in the most deprived areas have a low happiness score, compared to 17% of those in the least deprived areas.
The following groups were similar for for low happiness and anxiety, so only the results for anxiety are shown here. Both are available in the full report.
The following groups were more likely to have a higher anxiety score - adults:
- living in more deprived areas
- aged between 18 to 34
- Black and Racially Minoritised
- TNBI
- LGBQ+
- disabled
- neurodivergent
- with physical and mental health conditions
- living in temporary or emergency accommodation
- with experience of the care system as a child or young person
- unpaid carers
And people living in the following areas:
- Whitehawk
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Coldean and Stanmer
- Kemptown
- Central Brighton
- some areas in the West of the city.
Sensitive questions on self-harm, suicidal thoughts and attempts
The next section covers some sensitive areas, including self-harm, suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Support organisations' contact details were provided at this point during the survey, and once the survey was submitted.
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts and attempts
9% of adults have self-harmed in the last 12 months
7% of adults were reported to have ever self-harmed in the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity survey for England (the 2023/24 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity survey results are due to be published in June 2025).
Inequalities
These groups are similar for suicidal thoughts and attempts so only shown here for self-harm.
12% of people living in the most deprived areas have self-harmed in the last 12 months, compared to 6% in the least deprived areas.
Adults in the following groups are more likely to have self-harmed:
- living in more deprived areas
- aged 18 to 34 (28% of 18 to 24 year olds said they had self-harmed, compared to less than 1% of people aged 65 years or over)
- Mixed/multiple ethnic groups
- Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller
- TNBI
- LGBQ+
- disabled
- neurodivergent
- with some physical and mental health conditions
- living in temporary or emergency accommodation
- with experience of the care system as a child or young person
And people living in the following areas:
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Coldean and Stanmer
- Kemptown
- Central Brighton
25% have experienced suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months
That is, thought of taking their life in the last 12 months, even though they would not actually do it.
5% of adults aged 16 to 74 years in England said they had suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months as reported in the 2014 Adult Psychiatric morbidity survey (the 2023/24 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity survey results are due to be published in June 2025).
12% have ever attempted to take their life
30% of those living in the mostdeprived areas have experienced suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months, compared to 18% of those in the least deprived areas.
2% have attempted to take their life in the last 12 months
Smoking and vaping
While smoking rates are falling, smoking remains the greatest cause of inequality and preventable ill health and early death in the UK.
Vaping is one of the most effective aids to help adults stop smoking. Although it is not risk free, vaping is significantly less harmful compared with smoking.
17% of adults currently smoke - either occasionally (7%) or daily (10%)
This is similar to the smoking prevalence on GP registers and the GP patient survey for Brighton & Hove, both at 18%.
This is a decrease from 23% in 2012 and halved from 33% in the 1992 survey.
Inequalities
25% of adults living in the most deprived areas smoke, compared to 9% of those living in the least deprived areas.
This absolute inequality gap in Health Counts has narrowed from 23% in 2012 to 16% in 2024.
People in the following groups are more likely to smoke:
- Adults living in more deprived areas
- aged 18 to 34
- Black and Racially Minoritised adults
- males
- TNBI adults
- LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with some physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system as a child/young person
And people living in the following areas:
- Moulsecoomb & Bevendean
- Coldean & Stanmer
- Whitehawk
- Kemptown
- Central Brighton
- and some areas in the West of the city.
41% of current smokers have tried to give up smoking in the last 12 months and
25% of current smokers usually smoke or use tobacco within five minutes of waking up
13% of adults currently vape - either occasionally (5%) or daily (9%)
Higher than the estimated 10% for people aged 16 years or over in Great Britain in 2023 from the Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (no Brighton & Hove figure available).
18% of adults living in the most deprived areas vape, compared to 8% of those living in the least deprived areas.
Drugs and alcohol
Drugs and alcohol are key Public Health issues in Brighton & Hove, with higher rates of drug use and drug related deaths in the city compared to England.
56% of adults don’t drink, or drink at low risk levels
Inequalities
Adults living in less deprived areas are more likely to drink at increasing, higher risk, or possible dependence level (combined).
44% drink at increasing risk (28%), higher risk (14%) or possible dependence levels (2%)
48% of those in the least deprived areas compared to 37% of those in the most deprived areas.
16% binge drink weekly and 2% daily or almost daily
Inequalities
People in the following groups are more likely to binge drink daily or almost daily:
Adults aged 55-74 years, males, adults with a mental health condition or a physical difference (limiting their physical activities), living in temporary/emergency accommodation.
20% of adults have taken drugs not prescribed for them and not available at a chemist or pharmacy in the last 12 months
An increase from 17% in 2012.
This is higher than estimates for England and Wales from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (10% of adults aged 16-59 years). 35% of 18 to 24 year-olds in the city had used drugs in the last year, almost double the England and Wales survey figure for 16 to 24 year-olds.
Most commonly used drugs are cannabis and cocaine
Inequalities
Adults in the following groups are more likely to have taken drugs in the last 12 months:
- living in 20-40% most deprived areas of the city
- aged 18 to 44
- from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups
- Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller adults
- males
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with some physical and mental health conditions
- adulliving in temporary/emergency accommodation, with experience of the care system.
And people living in the following areas:
- Central Hove
- Kemptown
- West Hill and North Laine
- Round Hill and Hanover and Elm Grove
- Coldean & Stanmer.
Sexual health and HIV
Brighton & Hove has the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in people under 25 outside of London and the second highest rate for all ages outside of London (after Manchester).
The city also has the highest prevalence of HIV outside of London.
Questions on sexual health and HIV weretherefore included in Health Counts. These differ from the questions asked in 2012, so notrend is available.
37% of adults who reported that they had sex with a new sexual partner in the last year used a condom every time that they had sex with a new partner
35% sometimes, 16% never, 9% said this was not applicable and 3% preferred not to say.
Inequalities
Of those who had sex with a new partner in the last year, people in the following groups are more likely to never use a condom:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 55 to 64
- Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with some physical and mental health conditions
- adults with experience of the care system as a child or young person.
38% of adults had ever had a test for HIV
11% had a test in the last year and 55% had never had a test for HIV.
35% have heard of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which can reduce the chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use
60% have not heard of PrEP and 5% are not sure.
Of those who have heard of PrEP, 5% were currently using it and 3% have used it in the past.
Activity and diet
Being active and eating a healthy diet is good for both our mental and physical health and reduces our risk of developing a number of health conditions.
53% of adults did less than 30 minutes of sport or fitness activity which raised their breathing rate in the past week
This doesn't give the full picture of physical activity as it excludes walking and cycling.
Inequalities
65% of adults living in the most deprived areas did less than 30 minutes of sport and fitness activity, compared to 48% of those living in the least deprived areas.
People in the following groups/areas of the city are more likely to have done less than 30 minutes of sport or fitness activity:
- adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 65+
- adults from Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, and Arab ethnic groups
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system
- unpaid carers.
And people living in the following areas:
- Whitehawk & Marina
- South Portslade
- Moulsecoomb & Bevendean
- Coldean & Stanmer
- Woodingdean
- North Portslade
- Hangleton and Knoll
- Queen's Park
28% of adults sit for 10 or more hours on a weekday
Including time spent at work, at home, studying, and during leisure time.
Inequalities
People in the following groups are more likely to sit for 10 or more hours per day:
- Adults living in the most deprived 40% of areas
- aged 18 to 34
- adults who are Black and Racially Minoritised
- Mixed/multiple ethnic groups
- White Irish or other White
- males
- TNBI adults
- LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions.
And people living in the following areas:
- Central Hove to Regency
- West Hill and North Laine
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Coldean and Stanmer.
49% of adults eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day
A decrease from 52% in 2012, but an increase from 43% in 2003 Health Counts.
Inequalities
People in the following groups are less likely to eat five or more portions of fruits or vegetables a day:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 18 to 44
- from Black and Racially Minoritised, Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, and Arab ethnic groups
- males
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with some physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system
And people living in the following areas:
- Coldean and Stanmer
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Kemptown
Healthy weight and access to nature
There is a wealth of benefits of being a healthy weight at an individual, population, and societal level. We need to make systemic changes to provide a healthier environment for everyone.
Green and open spaces are an important asset for supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing. We included questions on access to nature for the first time in the 2024 Health Counts survey.
37% of adults are a healthy weight, 36% are overweight and 25% are obese
Estimates from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) for the city are that 43% of adults are a healthy weight, 42% are overweight and 15% are obese.
Inequalities
People in the following groups are less likely to be a healthy weight:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 45 to 84 years
- adults from Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups,
- males
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- unpaid carers.
And people in the following areas:
- Woodingdean
- Whitehawk and Marina
- Wish
- South Portslade
- North Portslade
- Rottingdean & West Saltdean
22% of adults spend time in nature daily
This is higher than England in the People and Nature Survey for England 2023/24 (16%) (this survey does not provide figures by area).
The beach, then parks, are the most commonly visited
Inequalities
82% of those living in the most deprived areas spend time in nature at least monthly, compared to 92% of those living in the least deprived areas.
People in the following groups are less likely to spend free time in nature at least monthly:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 25 to 34
- adults from Black and Racially Minoritised, Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, and Arab ethnic groups
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system as a child or young person
And people living in the following areas:
- Whitehawk and Marina
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
Oral health
Good oral health is an important part of general health and wellbeing, allowing people to eat, speak and communicate effectively and socialise free from pain, discomfort or embarrassment.
Oral health and access to dentists were included in the Health Counts 2024 survey, but not in 2003 so no trend is available.
75% of adults clean their teeth at least twice a day
This is similar to the 2021 Adult Oral Health Survey for England (77%) (this survey does not provide figures by area).
64% visit the dentist at least every year
This is lower than the 2021 Adult Oral Health Survey for England (74%).
67% of those living in the most deprived areas brush their teeth at least twice a day, compared to 81% of those living in the least deprived areas.
10% never visit the dentist
The most common reasons for those who never visit the dentist are:
- Unable to register with an NHS dentist (49%)
- Unable to afford to see a private dentist (37%)
- Not felt I needed to see a dentist (30%)
- Have fear / anxiety about seeing a dentist (28%)
Inequalities
People in the following groups are more likely to never visit the dentist:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 25 to 34 years
- adults from Black British, Caribbean or African, and Arab ethnic groups
- males
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system as a child or young person.
And people living in the following areas:
- Kemptown
- West Hill and North Laine
- Preston Park
Cost of living and housing
Feeling in control of our circumstances, keeping healthy and the quality or condition of a home are some of the most direct ways housing can affect health.
Cost of living and housing condition worries were therefore included in the 2024 survey.
85% of adults were taking at least one action due to the cost of living
This is lower than 91% for England reported in the 2023 ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (this survey does not provide figures by area).
The most commons actions are:
- Reducing leisure activities (45%)
- Shopping around more (43%)
- Spending less on food (40%)
- Using less fuel at home (38%)
And also included:
- Using savings (33%)
- Using credit cards, loans or overdrafts more (20%)
- Using support from charities, e.g. food banks (4%)
Inequalities
People in the following groups are more likely to be taking any actions due to the increases in cost of living:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 18 to 44 years
- adults from Black and Racially Minoritised, Asian or Asian British, Black British, Caribbean or African, Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller, White Irish or White other ethnic groups
- females
- TNBI and LBGQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system as a child or young person
- unpaid carers
And people living in the following areas:
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Coldean and Stanmer
- Brunswick and Adelaide
- Whitehawk and Marina
- Roundhill and Hanover and Elm Grove
21% of adults are fairly or very worried about their housing conditions such as damp, cold and leaks
Inequalities
27% of those living in the most deprived areas worry about their housing conditions, compared to 10% of those living in the least deprived areas.
People in the following groups are more likely to be fairly/very worried about their housing conditions:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 18-44 years
- adults from Black and Racially Minoritised, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller, White Irish or White other or other ethnic groups
- females
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system as a child or young person
- unpaid carers
And people living in the following areas:
- Central Hove
- Kemptown
- West Hill and North Laine,
- Roundhill, Hanover and Elm Grove
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean.
At small area level there are also areas in Hangleton and Knoll with higher rates.
Community cohesion
Family, friends and communities are the cornerstone of our everyday lives.
The nature of our social networks – the quality of our relationships, the support we have, whether we feel we belong where we live, connection – all influence our health and wellbeing.
81% of adults are very or fairly satisfied with their local area as a place to live
A decrease from 88% in 2012 Health Counts.
69% of those living in the mostdeprived areas are very/fairly satisfied with their local area as a place to live, compared to 90% of those living in the least deprived areas.
8% are fairly or very dissatisfied with their local area as a place to live
An increase from 5% in 2012 Health Counts.
53% feel that they belong to their immediate neighbourhood very/fairly strongly
A decrease from 58% in 2012 Health Counts.
Inequalities
This breakdown is available for all community cohesions questions in the full report, but only shown here for belonging.
People in the following groups are less likely to have a very or fairly strong feeling of belonging:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 18 to 34
- adults from Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, Arab or White Irish or White other ethnic groups
- males
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system.
And people living in the following areas:
- Hangleton and Knoll
- parts of Portslade
- central seafront and city centre
- Kemptown
- Hanover and Elm Grove
- Whitehawk
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Coldean and Stanmer
42% rate their sense of belonging as not very strong or not at all.
An increase from 38% in 2012 Health Counts.
56% of adults see or speak to their neighbours at least once a week
A decrease from 68% in 2012 and 80% in 2003 Health Counts.
53% of those living in the most deprived areas see or speak to neighbours at least once a week, compared to 64% of those living in the least deprived areas.
9% see or speak to neighbours on a daily basis
A decrease from 15% in 2012 and 18% in 2003 Health Counts.
70% could ask someone for help if they were ill in bed and needed help
A decrease from 76% in 2012 but similar to 69% in 2003 Health Counts.
62% of those living in the most deprived areas have someone they could ask for help, compared to 79% of those living in the least deprived areas.
13% do not have anyone they could ask for help
An increase from 9% in 2012 but the same as 13% in 2003 Health Counts.
Community safety
Crime affects physical and mental health in many ways. Feeling unsafe can also have psychological effects and directly reduce health promoting behaviours, such as physical activity and social contact. These areas were therefore added into Health Counts in 2024.
96% of adults feel safe walking alone in their local area during the day
The same as the 2018 Brighton & Hove City Tracker Survey.
4% feel unsafe during the day
Higher than 1% in the 2018 Brighton & Hove City Tracker Survey.
65% feel safe walking alone in their local area at night
Lower than 79% in the 2018 Brighton & Hove City Tracker Survey.
8% feel very unsafe at night
Higher than 3% in the 2018 Brighton & Hove City Tracker Survey.
Inequalities
48% of those living in the most deprived areas of the city feel very or a bit unsafe at night, compared to 25% of those living in the least deprived areas.
People in the following groups are more likely to feel very or a bit unsafe at night:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 18 to 34, and 85 years or older
- adults from Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller ethnic groups
- females
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system.
And people living in the following areas:
- Central Brighton
- Whitehawk
- Queen's Park
- Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
- Falmer
- Woodingdean
- Hangleton and Knoll
- Portslade
Sensitive questions on harassment and hate crime
The survey covers some sensitive areas, including harassment and hate crime. Support organisations' contact details were provided at the start, and once the survey was submitted.
Harassment and violence
Harassment and violence have significant impacts, including on health and wellbeing, and can have far reaching consequences. These questions were included for the first time in Health Counts 2024.
40% of adults experienced any of the listed types of harassment in the past 12 months
This is higher than 22% for Great Britain in the 2022 ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (this survey does not provide figures by area).
25% have been insulted or shouted at by a stranger in a public space
This is higher than 12% for Great Britain in the 2022 ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
16% have experienced catcalls, whistles, unwanted sexual comments or jokes from a stranger in a public space
This is higher than 8% for Great Britain in the 2022 ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
13% have felt like they were being followed
This is higher than 7% for Great Britain in the 2022 ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
14% have felt physically threatened by a stranger in a public space
This is higher than 6% for Great Britain in the 2022 ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
People are very or fairly worried about:
- physical violence against a family member (24%)
- physical violence against themselves (22%)
- being sexually assaulted / raped (21%)
Inequalities
31% of those living in the most deprived areas feel very or fairly worried about physical violence against them, compared to 15% of those living in the least deprived areas.
People in the following groups are more likely to feel very or fairly worried about physical violence against them:
- Adults living in the most deprived areas
- aged 18 to 34 years
- adults from Mixed/multiple and Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller or other ethnic groups
- females
- TNBI and LGBQ+ adults
- disabled adults
- neurodivergent adults
- adults with physical and mental health conditions
- adults living in temporary/emergency accommodation
- adults with experience of the care system.
Hate crime
Hate crime can have a profound impact on both individual and community health and wellbeing.
Beyond the individual, hate crime can create a climate of fear and mistrust within communities, reducing social cohesion and making people feel unsafe in their everyday lives.
Questions about hate crime were included for the first time in the 2024 survey.
30% of LGBQ+ adults were very or fairly worried about being targeted by perpetrators of hate crime because of their sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation
Compared to 3% of adults who are heterosexual or straight.
This was highest for:
- Queer adults (50%)
- Gay or lesbian adults (38%)
67% of TNBI adults were very or fairly worried about being targeted by perpetrators of hate crime because they are trans, non-binary or present as gender divergent
Compared with 2% of adults who are not TNBI.
This was highest for:
- Trans adults (74%)
- Non-binary adults (67%)
23% of adults who are Black and Racially Minoritised were very or fairly worried about being targeted by perpetrators of hate crime because of their ethnic heritage or religion or their perceived ethnic heritage or religion
Compared to 4% of White British adults.
This was highest for:
- Sikh adults (69%)
- Muslim adults (45%)
- Refugee or asylum seeker adults (44%)
- Jewish adults (43%) and
- Arab adults (40%)
11% of disabled adults were very or fairly worried about being targeted by perpetrators of hate crime because of their disability or assumed disability
Compared with 2% of adults who are not disabled.
This was highest among adults with:
- Speech and language conditions (50%)
- Developmental conditions (e.g. affecting motor, cognitive, social or language) (49%)
- Learning disabilities (45%)
- A visible difference with a disabling and/or discriminatory impact (42%)
Acknowledgements and citation
The Health Counts 2024 research was led by the University of Brighton, in collaboration with Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Healthwatch Brighton & Hove, the Brighton and Hove Federation of primary care, NHS Sussex and Brighton & Hove City Council.
It was funded by the Public Health department at Brighton & Hove City Council.
Acknowledgements
Residents of Brighton & Hove
University of Brighton: Prof Nigel Sherriff, Prof Jorg Huber, Prof Kate Galvin, Dr Massimo Mirandola, Dr Catherine Aicken, Dr Alexandra Sawyer, Ciara Gray, Susannah Davidson, Dr Shemane Murtagh
Brighton & Sussex Medical School: Prof Carrie Llewellyn
Brighton & Hove City Council: Kate Gilchrist, John Guzek, Louise Knight, Caroline Vass, Georgina Watson
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove: Dr Lester Coleman
Brighton & Hove Federation: Mark Cannon, Kate Waller
NHS Sussex ICB: Lola Banjoko, Natasha Darby
GP Practice Manager Forum: Cheryl Palmer
Primary Care Network (PCN) managers: Tori Lawrence, Gemma Clayton, Laura Fernandez-Kayne, Samantha Lade, Carol Witney, Peter Sutcliffe
Citations and data
Citation
If using Health Counts 2024 results, please use the following citation:
Gilchrist, K., Sherriff, N.S., Huber, J., Galvin, K., Mirandola, M., Murtagh, S., Llewellyn, C., Vass, C.,Knight, L., Guzek, J., Aicken, C., Sawyer, A., Davidson, S., & Gray, C (2024). Health Counts 2024: Summary of Results. Brighton, Brighton & Hove City Council.
Data
If you are a researcher who wants to apply to use the Health Counts data for research, there is an editorial board approval process. If you work within Brighton & Hove City Council, NHS or a Community and Voluntary Sector organisation and want to discuss use of/access to the data, thenplease contact the Health Counts team.
For details of the application process for using Health Counts data for research, and for contact details visit the Brighton & Hove City Council Health Counts webpage.
For further information visit University of Brighton Health Counts webpage