- Manchester is the top UK city where people take care of their health the most, thanks to 72% of physically active residents.
- The lowest smoking rate in the UK belongs to Oxford, with just 7 out of every 100 adults identifying as smokers.
- Air quality reaches its cleanest levels in Belfast, with a score of 33 – the best rating in the study.
UK government statistics show heart disease deaths have risen for the first time in 50 years, with 28% of adults now classified as obese. A recent study by Drug Testing Kits UK ranked 30 UK cities to determine the top ten where people take care of their health the most. The ranking is based on a Wellbeing Environment Score (WES) derived from eight metrics grouped into health baselines and wellness infrastructure. Data included smoking prevalence, physical activity, air quality, green space, and availability of healthy restaurants, gyms (double weight), and spas. Weighted metric scores were summed to generate final rankings out of 100.
Findings summed up:
| City | % of Smokers | Active Adults | Air quality | WES |
| Manchester | 17% | 72% | 57 | 100 |
| Belfast | 18% | 75% | 33 | 98 |
| Plymouth | 16% | 60% | 54 | 95 |
| Oxford | 7% | 72% | 41 | 94 |
| Bristol | 15% | 76% | 49 | 87 |
| Southampton | 14% | 67% | 47 | 81 |
| Ipswich | 21% | 64% | 53 | 78 |
| Leicester | 13% | 54% | 51 | 75 |
| Northampton | 13% | 63% | 56 | 73 |
| Glasgow | 25% | 68% | 39 | 72 |
You can find the full study here.
Manchester ranks first as the U.K. city where people take care of their health the most, with a wellbeing environment score of 100. About 72 out of 100 adults are physically active, and just 17% smoke. While 32% of people are obese, access to gyms, healthy restaurants, and green space helps balance out the health risks.
Belfast ranks second with a score of 98. Physical activity is even higher here, with 75% of adults staying active, and only 27% obese, a better rate than in Manchester. It also has the best air quality in the top five, with a score of 33.
With a score of 95, Plymouth is the third UK city with one of the best overall wellness environments. 60% of adults stay active here, and the smoking rate is at 16%. With 29% of the population considered obese, the city has a good foundation for further improving public health.
Oxford ranks fourth, scoring 94, and stands out with just 7% of adults smoking, the lowest rate in the UK. Physical activity is high at 72%, matching Manchester. While 49% of residents are currently obese, the city’s great activity levels and low smoking rate indicate good potential for further improvements in nutrition and lifestyle habits.
Bristol lands in fifth with a score of 87, and leads the list in physical activity, with 76% of people staying active. That’s higher than Oxford, Plymouth, or Belfast. With 55% of the population classified as obese and a smoking rate of 15%, the city has room to grow, but its active lifestyle offers a strong base for wellness efforts to build on.
Southampton ranks sixth with a score of 81 for its overall wellness environment. 67% of Southamptonian adults are active, and only 14% smoke. That’s a better smoking rate than Bristol and a similar activity level. Around 30% of people are obese, which is significantly lower than in Bristol.
In seventh place, Ipswich earns a score of 78. About two-thirds of residents are physically active, and the city benefits from a relatively good air quality. While smoking (21%) rates show there’s work to be done, the strong activity levels indicate a positive trend toward healthier habits.
Leicester ranks eighth with a score of 75, where people take good care of their health. Only 13% of the population are smokers, which is one of the lowest rates in the U.K. While only 54% of adults are currently active, these promising health indicators show the city’s great potential to raise activity levels further.
Northampton is ninth, scoring 73. The state has one of the lowest percentages of smokers at 13%. While 68% of residents are classified as obese, the city’s good activity levels and low smoking suggest there’s a strong starting point for tackling diet and nutrition challenges.
Glasgow closes the top 10 with a score of 72. Roughly 68% of adults stay active, which is also possible with the great air quality at 39. Smoking remains a challenge here, since 25% of adults smoke, but encouraging activity levels show progress, and cutting down on smoking could take Glasgow’s health outlook to the next level.
James Gunter – Sales Director at Drug Testing Kits UK, commented on the study: “With UK heart disease deaths rising for the first time in decades, it’s clear that cities play a bigger role in public health than ever before. This data shows that access to gyms, green spaces, and clean air can help offset poor lifestyle habits. When healthy choices are easier to make, people are more likely to stick with them, and that’s where city design makes a measurable difference.”
