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The UK city where people are most likely to get ill this winter
Reach Daily Express | January 18, 2026 10:40 PM CST

With temperatures across the UK continuing to plummet, many Brits are doing all they can to stay healthy and avoid catching the flu throughout the colder season. However, research has revealed that despite ensuring that you stay on top of your health, where you live can play a significant role in your ability to tackle whatever might be going round.

Health and wellness company Mogo Farm used a range of key health indicators to form its Winter Wellness Cities index, which revealed the cities where you're most likely to get ill but also the ones that "are best equipped to help residents maintain good health".

Mogo Farm rated cities based on air quality and pollution levels, population density, flu vaccination rates, self-reported well-being, and a number of sick days off work.

The company revealed that Doncaster was the city that struggled the most with winter wellbeing, with Wolverhampton, Manchester, Bradford, and London completing the top 5 worst cities.

The report reads: "Poorer air quality was revealed to be one of the biggest challenges among these cities, making it harder for residents to avoid respiratory strain. Meanwhile, their high population densities can also make it easier for seasonal illnesses to spread, a key factor in these cities' lower rankings."

Despite the city, located in South Yorkshire, being crowned the worst winter wellness city, it still saw a high percentage of people reporting 'good' or 'very good' health.

Additionally, the number of sick days was 5.1, not far off from Oxford's 4.7 days, which is considered the best city for staying well. Flu vaccination uptake across the Yorkshire region was also found to be generally high.

Mogo Farm added: "While smaller and less polluted cities can offer more favourable conditions for winter health, residents in larger or more densely populated areas, such as London and Doncaster, are still taking meaningful steps towards their winter wellbeing."

The wellness company issued some advice for Brits on how to stay well this winter, including getting outside when you can and taking vitamin D, and ensuring your diet includes the necessary nutrients to stay healthy and energised.

It continued: "Staying well during the winter months isn't always just down to how well you look after yourself physically.

"Taking time to care for your mental health by maintaining routines, connecting with friends, and finding small moments of joy can help you feel more balanced and positive through the darker days."


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