New data from the Office of National Statistics shows that Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly have the highest levels of poor health in Wales
Historically deprived areas and former industrial communities in the Valleys have more people who are ill according to Census data from 2021.
Nearly one in ten people living in these local authorities reported poor or very poor health, with Merthyr Tydfil having double the number of unhealthy people than Powys or Anglesey.
Areas in north and mid Wales have a far healthier population, with over half of those living in Gwynedd being in very good health. The national average is 46.6%.
General health has improved overall in Wales since 2011, with the number of people in very good and good health rising, and the number of those in fair, poor or very bad health all decreasing.
This makes the population of Wales the healthiest it has ever been.
