Men living in wealthier parts of the borough can expect to live three years longer than their counterparts in deprived areas like Burnt Oak and West Hendon.

A profile of Barnet released last week by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) exposes significant health inequalities related to where people live, their wealth and ethnicity.

The report identifies pockets of deprivation in the south-west of the borough along the borders with Brent and Camden. Some parts of Burnt Oak, West Hendon and Golders Green are placed in the 20 per cent most deprived areas of the country.

The areas exhibit significant health differences, including life expectancy among men, compared with the wealthiest pockets of the borough, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, Totteridge and East Barnet.

The report also reveals a high proportion of black children are eligible for free meals, which is used as a measure of deprivation.

It shows people who are more deprived tend to suffer from poorer health.

But the report also says: "Overall, the health of people in Barnet is significantly better than the England average. For example, obesity and smoking in adults, violent crime and hospital stays related to alcohol are better than the England average."

The borough also has one of the highest rates in the country of mothers who breastfeed, while the number who smoke through pregnancy is lower than the national average.