09.05.14
One in four deaths ‘avoidable’ – ONS
One in four deaths across England and Wales in 2012 were ‘avoidable’, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The report, Avoidable Mortality in England and Wales 2012, highlighted that the leading cause of avoidable death was ischaemic heart disease in males and lung cancer in females.
In 2012, these conditions represented 22% and 15% of all avoidable male and female deaths respectively in England and Wales.
Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Coronary heart disease continues to scar the lives of millions of people and their families.
“Last year governments in England and Wales published new strategies for tackling heart disease. If we want to stop lives being needlessly lost it is vital that health commissioners and local authorities implement these plans with the drive this issue demands.”
According to the ONS data, avoidable mortality rates varied across the regions of England and tended to be highest in the north and lowest in the south and east of England over the period 2001-12.
The figures also include deaths caused by drug and alcohol abuse, accidental deaths and suicides. It also includes murders, some infectious diseases, such as HIV and TB, and preventable or treatable health conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease and asthma.
Professor John Newton, chief knowledge officer at Public Health England, said: “This data shows that the decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease is the result of both good quality care and prevention.
“We need to see the same results for cancer deaths by making sure we look for every opportunity to prevent cancer, diagnosing it early and treating it most effectively in every case.”
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