Key Data

  • In 2002/04, the South West had the highest life expectancy of all the English regions for women (80.9 years) and men (77.8 years). The comparable figures for England are 80.9 years for women and 76.6 years for men.
  • There are variations in life expectancy within the South West. Gloucester has the lowest life expectancy for men (75.7 years), East Dorset the highest (80.8 years). Swindon has the lowest life expectancy for women (80.3 years), East Dorset the highest (83.9 years).
  • Although mortality from all causes and the major disease types is generally lower than England, malignant melanoma and prostate cancer are significantly high.
  • In 2004-06 the rate of mortality from malignant melanoma in the South West was 28% higher than England and the mortality rate from prostate cancer was 4% higher than England.
  • Approximately one in five men (19%) and one in ten women (8%) in the South West drink heavily.
  • It is estimated that nationally one in four adults are obese. Obesity in men has nearly doubled in prevalence since 1993 (13% rising to 24% in 2004). For women the increase is slightly lower (16% rising to 24% from 1993 to 2004).