Once again, national statistics relating to the level of health in Bradford make sickening reading for the city.

Statistics released by the Government place us at the bottom of the pile when it comes to the number of healthy years residents can expect on average.

The shocking figures are just 52.5 years for men and are even lower for women at 51.6 years – with the national average well over ten years higher than that.

And that differential – which is thrown even more sharply into focus when compared to the fact that the average in leafy Surrey is almost 20 years higher – must raise questions about the impact poverty levels are having in Bradford There is no doubt that the fact that the city has some of the most deprived wards in the country does have a major part to play in figures like this, and politicians must join with health bosses to find a way of tackling this.

But, as we have reported many times before in this newspaper, there is also much more people can do to help themselves, and there is an acknowledged high-prevalence of self-inflected health issues caused by smoking, drinking and over-eating in the city.

Again, it could be argued that poverty is a factor in these so-called social illnesses, but there is no doubt that some of the solution does lie in the hands of the residents themselves.

As well as the personal cost to those whose health is curtailed prematurely, these statistics also represent a major drain on our health service. It is vital that everything possible is done to help people take better care of themselves and to look at whether anything can be done to tackle the underlying poverty problems blighting some parts of the city.