The Fife Regeneration, Health and Wellbeing Study

Dunfermline Regeneration Area

The most significant findings emerging from the Fife Regeneration Health and Well Being Study for the Dunfermline regeneration area are presented below, with comparisons with the position across Fife as a whole. There will be more detailed findings in the Dunfermline ROA Health and Well Being report, available shortly.

• Low incomes - the Dunfermline ROA area revealed the highest proportion of residents on low incomes and the highest proportion with financial difficulties: half of all households in the ROA area (50%) have low incomes, almost three times the level found across Fife as a whole (18%)

Households on low incomes

• High unemployment – the area also recorded one of the highest level of residents aged 16-64 claiming JSA, more than twice the Fife average: the proportion of residents in the ROA who are unemployed claiming JSA is 7.7%, compared to only 3.5% across Fife

Residents unemployed and claiming Job Seekers Allowance

• Low educational achievement – the average tariff score for S4 pupils was the lowest of all the regeneration areas (the tariff score of a pupil is calculated by allocating a score to each level of qualification and award). The average tariff score of all S4 pupils is 111.8, compared to the Fife average of 170

Average tariff score for S4 pupils

• Poor health – more than half of all ROA residents said they had a long standing illness, health problem or disability, the highest of all the regeneration areas: 51% of residents say they suffer from a long standing illness, health problem or disability, significantly higher than the Fife average of 29%

Residents suffering from a long-standing illness, health problem or disability

• Fear of crime – the area recorded the highest level of a fear of crime (along with Kirkcaldy). Almost a third of ROA residents are very concerned about going out alone at night in their neighbourhood (30%) compared to only 19% across Fife

Residents very concerned about going out alone at night in their neighbourhood

• Poor physical environment – Almost half of all ROA residents (47%) are dissatisfied with the overall physical appearance of their local area, the highest of all the regeneration areas.  Only 18% of residents across Fife felt this way

Residents dissatisfied with the overall physical appearance of their local area