You will live longer if your high street has a library and pharmacy

According to recent media reports you will live longer if your high street has a library and a pharmacy.

According to the Royal Society of Public Health an unhealthy high street could reduce your life expectancy by up to two and half years. Clearly this depends on the life-style choices that you make, but living near a healthy High Street makes it easier and more convient to make the right choices.

The Royal Society of Public Health categorised high street businesses as healthy and unhealthy and given an a score to indicate the impact that they have. Pharmacies were assigned positive scores for supporting people to make healthier choices, access to services and advice and for supporting mental health and well being.  Other organisations that attracted a positive score include leisure centres, libraries, museums and art galleries and cafes and coffee shops.  Organisations that had a negative impact on health and well being include empty shops, tanning shops, off licences, fast food outlets and bookmakers.

Go to the Royal Society of Public Health website to read the full report.