DoH publishes annual health profile

The Department of Health (DoH) has published its annual health profile for England, with the figures showing the highest recorded life expectancy, with deaths as a result of cancer, heart disease and stroke falling.

Infant mortality figures are at their lowest reported level, while the number of individuals smoking and dying from smoking-related diseases is also decreasing.

Government figures compare the health of England to that of the European Union, with it reported that early death figures for cancer and circulatory disease are dropping faster in England than the European average.

However, England has the highest incidence of obesity in the European Union, while showing increases in the cases of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.

Dawn Primarolo, public health minister, said: “Whilst we have made good progress in stopping people smoking, I am determined to move further and faster to respond to all these challenges – with a cross government drive to tackle obesity, improve diet and activity levels and promote safe and sensible drinking.”

She added that England is considered at the cutting edge of plans to fight obesity, noting action on food labelling and restricting advertising to children.

At the Conservative Party Conference earlier this month, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley described cancer survival rates in the UK as a “disgrace”, with the figures below those measured in Europe.