Major Diseases and Causes of Death
8.38 This section looks at the major diseases and causes of death and highlights differences within the region and between the South West and the country as a whole. Whilst the incidence of certain diseases reflects that of the country as a whole, there are specific diseases where the South West differs from the national average. Incidence of many diseases varies between socio-economic strata and within different areas of the region. In 2005 the major causes of death nationally were circulatory disease, cancer and respiratory disease (ONS).