York has more early deaths than similar areas, figures reveal

York is bottom of a league of similar local authorities for early death rates according to new figures.

A new map of mortality rates published by Public Health England places York 54th out of 150 local authorities for premature deaths. Across 2009-2011, York had 252 premature deaths per 100,000 people.

That compares to 455 in the worst performing authority, Manchester, and 200 in the best, Wokingham. Public Health England defines premature death as happening before the age of 75.

But in the Similar Areas Ranking table – where York is ranked alongside local authorities said to have comparable deprivation rates – it comes 15th out of 15. Dorset County Council is top, with 207 deaths per 100,000. North Yorkshire County Council is ninth with nearly 237 deaths.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called the geographical variation in early death rates “shocking”. While the data has been available before, the Longer Lives website enables people to compare an area’s mortality performance against those with similar populations, incomes and levels of health.

 

York early deaths

Premature deaths per 100,000 of the population. Source: Longer Lives

Disease	Lowest	York	Highest
Cancer	Harrow: 83	107	Manchester: 152
Heart disease and stroke	Wokingham: 40	55	Manchester: 116
Lung disease	Bromley: 14	23	Blackpool: 62
Liver disease	Wiltshire: 9	11	Blackpool: 39

 
According to Public Health England, York is in “socioeconomic decile 9”, which ranks the city as in the least deprived sector of the community.

But York council leader James Alexander has responded to the report in a series of Tweets (see below). He says the Similar Areas Ranking table is unfair as York is the only city included, and that air pollution adds to the premature deaths caused by lung disease.

 

List of council with premature deaths doesn’t appear to be rocket science. Data shows poverty effects life expectancy tinyurl.com/pts7yv7

— James Alexander (@jmalexander1982) June 10, 2013

Gov is comparing York to 8 county councils, 4 rural communities + 2 London boroughs for mortality ratings. Gov isn’t comparing like for like

— James Alexander (@jmalexander1982) June 10, 2013

York is 54th for lowest premature mortality rates of 150 English councils. Yet now York + Bradford r hardest hit in north on health funding

— James Alexander (@jmalexander1982) June 10, 2013

Gov says York better than av. dealing with cancer, best tackling heart disease as well as liver disease + worse than av. with lung disease

— James Alexander (@jmalexander1982) June 10, 2013

Gov says York’s lung disease issues are related to both smoking + air pollution. Says 23 premature deaths from this in 2009-11

— James Alexander (@jmalexander1982) June 10, 2013

York is only city in group of comparable councils Gov has chosen to compare premature mortality rates. Levels of deprivation are different

— James Alexander (@jmalexander1982) June 10, 2013