Cancer and heart death rates down

Northern Ireland showed the greatest reduction in heart disease

Fewer people in Northern Ireland are dying from cancer and heart disease, a government watchdog has found.

Life expectancy has increased to 76 years for men and 81 for women, according to the Audit Office's report.

The report found hospital waiting lists had shortened and Northern Ireland had the lowest death rate from stroke in the UK.

However, it said obesity among children was a serious concern and more needed to be done to tackle suicide rates.

The report found heart disease fatalities had dropped by two-thirds because of improved testing and access to services.

Men are three times more likely to die of heart disease than women, with highest mortality rates found in the most deprived areas.

"Overall the trend (in heart disease deaths) is significantly downwards, with Northern Ireland showing the greatest reduction for both men and women," according to John Dowdall, the head of the Audit Office.

Smokers

Almost a quarter of adults in Northern Ireland are smokers, a figure which has fallen from about 30% in 1996.

The watchdog said it remained relatively common among semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers.

"While acknowledging current progress, we consider that meeting the target for manual groups will continue to be challenging and will require sustained attention over the coming period," it said.

Suicide was more than three times as common for men than women, the Audit Office said, and almost twice as high in disadvantaged areas.

North and west Belfast had suicide levels almost twice the Northern Ireland average.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the findings pointed to good progress being made against many key targets.

"Public health is what we do as a society to improve and protect the health of the population," he said.

"It is about helping people to take responsibility for their own health, preventing disease and educating the population on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

"All government departments and, indeed, all of society have a role to play."