All Causes of Mortality

8.43 The overall mortality rate in the South West is lower than the average for England. However, there are variations in all cause mortality across the region. A few places, such as Bristol and Plymouth, have rates significantly higher than England. Although rates in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean are higher than England, they are not significant. As with many of the individual causes of mortality, both nationally and within the South West, all cause mortality rates are highest amongst the disadvantaged socio-economic groups,  as shown in ‘Geographic Variations in Health’ (ONS).

Table 8.2 Number of Deaths and Age-Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMR) for Selected Causes of Death in the South West 2004-2006 pooled

Cause of death

Number of deaths

SMR

95% Confidence interval

Statistical significance

All causes

51,534

91

91–92

Significantly low

Circulatory

18,371

92

92–93

Significantly low

All Cancers

14,119

93

92–95

Significantly low

Accidents

1,182

93

90–97

Significantly low

Asthma

98

82

74-92

Significantly low

Bronchitis and Emphysema

163

97

89-106

Not significant

Suicide and injury undetermined

454

105

100–111

Not significant

Land transport accidents

280

102

95–109

Not significant

Malignant Melanoma

241

128

119-138

Significantly high

Mesothelioma*+

181

112

97-126

Not significant

Prostate Cancer*

1067

104

101-108

Significantly high
Number of Deaths 2006, SMRs 2004-2006 pooled + Number of deaths 2003-05 average, SMR 2003-05
Source: National Centre for Health Outcomes Development www.nchod.nhs.uk
* Data provided by South West Public Health Observatory