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North west faces 'significant' health challenges
The North West is "significantly worst than rest of England" in most areas of health, with 26,000 people in region die early.
The people of the North West should be demanding better health, according to the region's leading public health expert, Dr Ruth Hussey, who is recently launched the Government's Progress and Next Steps' report into inequalities in health.
Dr Hussey, speaking at the launch in London in response to the Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson, said: "Around 26,000 people die early in our region every year, of preventable illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. We cannot afford to let this be seen as the norm or acceptable - the people of the North West deserve better health."
Although health is improving overall in the region, there are still significant challenges.
The North West is noticeably worse than the rest of England not just in early deaths from heart disease and stroke, but from smoking-related diseases. In addition, alcohol-related illness is increasing and alcohol-related hospital admissions in our region are some of the highest in the country.
| However, Eden and South Lakes residents | | are living 20 years longer... |
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Dr Hussey urged: "The NHS cannot tackle all of these issues in isolation. What's needed is region-wide action with all our partners, in the public and private sector, and with individuals and families, to stem the tide of early deaths and ill-health by preventing illness in the first place. We must now call on individuals, businesses and industry to join in the movement for a better, healthier region.""
NHS North West has set up a new programme called Our Life with the aim of transforming the health of our region's poorest populations. Our Life will find ways of inspiring and empowering individuals to challenge the accepted norm that our region's poorest population should live several years less than people elsewhere in the country.
Dr Hussey said: "Many of our region's poorest residents may have low expectations of living long and healthy lives. We must challenge this assumption by supporting and encouraging people to take collective and individual action to make healthier choices, for children and adults alike."
She added: "Tobacco is responsible for half the life expectancy difference between rich and poor. It is a major contributor to the ill-health of the poorest in our society who are often targeted with cheap cigarettes by illegal suppliers."
Dr Hussey said: "We aim to build up popular support for healthier lifestyles and a demand for change through the Our Life programme and Smokefree North West.
11:14am Monday 16th June 2008
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