Mixed success on mortality rate reductions

The target for reducing premature deaths from circulatory diseases by 40 per cent has already been met, a year ahead of schedule.

The target for reducing premature cancer deaths by 20 per cent by 2010 is also on track as it dropped 19.3 per cent between 1995-07 and 2006-08. The absolute gap between premature deaths from cancer in the poorest areas and the rest of England has also reduced by 10.5 per cent, compared with a minimum target of 6 per cent.

Reductions in the death rate from suicides are also on track to meet the 2010 target of a 20 per cent reduction compared with the 1995-97 baseline.

But little has changed in the death rate from accidents, which the DH has admitted has stayed “broadly flat” since 1995-97, whereas the target is for a 20 per cent reduction by next year.