Cancer death rates 'inequality'

The key to improving health is to stop children starting smoking.

The gap in cancer death rates is widening between rich and poor areas of Wales, according to the chief medical officer.

In his annual report, Dr Tony Jewell, who advises the assembly government, said there must be a greater focus on putting an end to health inequalities.

Part of the problem is the higher number of people who smoke, drink and take drugs in deprived areas, he said.

Overall, however, he said people are getting healthier and living longer.

The report shows that deaths from heart disease and strokes are continuing to fall.

Wales has seen a reduction of more than 200 deaths from coronary heart disease per 100,000 of the population between 2001 and 2006 and has also surpassed the target for reducing deaths from stroke.

However, with cancer, the gap between the least and most deprived areas in Wales increased from 62 deaths per 100,000 people in 2001 to 78 deaths per 100,000 in 2006.

Dr Jewell said: "Overall, the health of the people of Wales is continuing to get better. A child born in Wales today can expect to live to the age of 80 or more.

"Long term trends in decreasing deaths from heart disease and improved life expectancy have also continued.

"Improvements in tackling coronary heart disease mean we are on track to meet our 2012 target of reducing deaths from the disease to 400 per 100,000 population. Improvements are also being seen in more disadvantaged communities.

"However, with regard to cancer, inequalities between different areas and social groups are not decreasing."

HEALTH FACTFILE Male life expectancy at birth is now 76.6 years, with female at 81 Heart disease has decreased, with the 2006 death rate 23% less than that of 2001 Cancer death rates have not seen the same progress - between 2001 and 2006 the rate decreased by seven deaths per 100,000 population Deaths from stroke decreased by 120, from 463 per 100,000 of 65 and 74 years olds in 2001, to 343 in 2006, surpassing the target set for 2012 The 2012 target of a 35% reduction in child pedestrian injuries from motor vehicles has been already been achieved 24% of adults in Wales are smokers, rate rising to 34% in the most deprived parts 36% are excess alcohol consumers 57% are overweight or obese More than two thirds of people do not include five fruits and vegetables in their daily diets 71% are not exercising enough Source: The Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer for Wales

He said that high smoking rates were still a major cause of health inequalities.

Physical activity

People in the most deprived populations in Wales are twice as likely to smoke as those in the least deprived areas.

Dr Jewell will launch his report at Brynteg Comprehensive School, Bridgend, when he visits an assembly government programme that aims to persuade schoolchildren against smoking.

"Efforts are needed to reduce the levels of smoking, especially stopping young people from starting in the first place, as it is a major cause of health inequalities," he said.

"The ban on smoking in public places will also assist a decline in smoking rates and consumption."

The report said that people in areas of relative deprivation are also more likely to be overweight or obese, have higher rates of drug and alcohol misuse and undertake less physical activity - all significant factors on health inequalities.

Richardson Davidson, of Cancer Research UK, said the fact deaths from heart disease were reducing "shows that health inequalities are not inevitable" and that working with communities could help reduce cancer deaths.

"International evidence suggests that the increasing gap in cancer incidence may be caused, partially, by the more rapid adoption of healthy behaviours by those at the top of the socioeconomic scale compared to those at the bottom," he said.

"Information and support should therefore be introduced which is tailored to the needs of lower socioeconomic groups and encourages and enables individuals to make choices such as giving up smoking and the maintenance a healthy body weight."