Many cases of rickets concern Scotland

Rickets, which hit the UK’s slums in the 19th century, is on the rise in Scotland, according to data obtained by the newspaper. times.

A total of 442 cases of rickets, a condition linked to lack of exposure to sunlight and poor diet, were seen in Scotland in 2022, up from 354 cases in 2018, according to data from local health authorities.

Lowest life expectancy in the UK

“Generally preventable diseases like these show that Scotland has the lowest life expectancy in the UKExplanation of times Chris Williams, Co-Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners of Scotland. The disease, which can lead to skeletal deformities during development such as bowed legs or bowed knees, is linked to a lack of exposure to sunlight and therefore vitamin D, which can also be found in foods such as fatty fish or eggs.

Compared to the 442 cases in Scotland, there were 482 cases of rickets recorded in England, ten times more. Rickets virtually disappeared in the UK more than half a century ago, after campaigns to improve diets and sun exposure.

In Scotland, most cases have been recorded around Glasgow, one of the poorest areas in the county, where a third of children live in poverty according to the latest studies. According to 2019 data, men living in the poorest areas of Glasgow live an average of 15 years shorter than those living in the wealthiest areas.

Ethnic diversity

Some health professionals suggest that increased ethnic diversity in Glasgow, where certain skin types reduce vitamin D production, development of more sedentary activities and a poor diet may explain the resurgence of the disease.

Other diseases, such as tuberculosis or scarlet fever, are also on the rise in Scotland, The Times reports. These diseasesPoverty diseases are common in some parts of the world where people are poorHe explains to the scientist he met times.