Carmarthen East and Dinefwr's Assembly member has called for a bigger investment in health services in the county after Carmarthenshire was rated the 10th most unhealthy place to live in Britain.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas said he was surprised at the poll but has called for action to combat the disturbing statistic.
Mr Thomas said: "I am somewhat surprised that Carmarthenshire is so high up in the findings. It goes to show that the presumption that rural areas produce naturally healthy lifestyles is not always the case."
Mr Thomas added: "These findings show that there is a clear need for investment in health services in the county. It is important that poor health and health inequalities across Wales are tackled sufficiently to improve the lifestyles of the people of Carmarthenshire."
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