DERBYSHIRE: County good place to avoid early grave

Public Health England has released a table revealing the number of people dying under the age of 75 in each local authority.

Areas are ranked in order, with one being the best-performing region and 150 being the worst.

Derbyshire is ranked 56th in the overall premature mortality table, with a rating of 256 deaths per 100,000 people.

Cllr Dave Allen, cabinet member for health and communities, said: “We’re committed to reducing the number of early deaths as well as tackling a range of other challenging issues.

“There’s already a great deal of work being done in Derbyshire around smoking, alcohol, obesity and poor diet to improve the length and quality of people’s lives – but this table will help us better understand the local picture, see where there’s more to do and where to target our resources most effectively.”

The county is rated 62nd in terms of premature deaths relating to cancer, with a rate of 104 per 100,000.

When it comes to early deaths caused by heart disease and strokes, Derbyshire ranks 67th. There are 63 deaths per 100,000 population in this category.

Derbyshire is ranked 62nd for lung disease but is placed among the lowest nationally at 28th with 11 deaths from liver disease.

Elaine Michel, Derbyshire’s director for public health, said: “It’s good to see that so many people are benefitting from a long and healthy life in Derbyshire. However, we know that not all residents have the same opportunities to live healthily.

“We aim to be the council with the best health and the lowest level of preventable early deaths in the country.”

Find out how to improve your health at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/publichealthreport.