Heart disease and cancers are down and less people are smoking, study confirms

5:50pm Sunday 7th August 2011

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HALTON’S health is getting better, a study has revealed.

Life expectancy has increased, deaths from heart disease and most cancers have dropped and less people are smoking.

This information, from the new Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment shows that across Widnes and Runcorn, shows that health has improved over the past 10 years.

Clr Marie Wright, board member for health, said:” This is good news and proof that work done by Halton Council and local NHS trusts to improve health is working.”

Breastfeeding rates are also improving and the number of women smoking during pregnancy has reduced recently.

Health chiefs say they will continue to encourage people to seek medical help as soon as they detect any worrying signs.

a campaign urging people to watch out for symptoms of various cancers has already been hailed a success.

This not only means that many patients can be cured, more people can live longer and healthcare costs will fall.

Dr Dympna Edwards, interim director of health strategy at NHS Halton, said: “Preventing ill health and early diagnosis of health issues will help to reduce the overall burden in the community and prevent people from dying young.

“We have invested in health programmes to support people locally trying to stop smoking, improve their diet and reduce their alcohol intake.

“We are also ensuring the best outcomes for children by improving vaccination and immunisation, breastfeeding, reducing smoking in pregnany and teenage conceptions.

“There have been tremendous improvements in overall mortality figures and further support and advice is available within our local communities of health problems that will make a difference.”

Visit halton.gov.uk/jsna to read the full document.

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