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UK among Europe's unhealthiest nations, report suggests | UK among Europe's unhealthiest nations, report suggests |
(about 9 hours later) | |
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News | By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News |
The UK is one of the unhealthiest nations in Europe for some health indicators, data suggests. | |
Figures from the Association of Public Health Observatories reveal the UK is the fattest EU member and has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancies. | Figures from the Association of Public Health Observatories reveal the UK is the fattest EU member and has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancies. |
The UK also performs badly on female cancer survival and infant deaths. | The UK also performs badly on female cancer survival and infant deaths. |
But life expectancy figures in the UK are slightly better than for EU counterparts and the nation also excels at treating heart disease. | But life expectancy figures in the UK are slightly better than for EU counterparts and the nation also excels at treating heart disease. |
And our early action on smoking has had a very positive impact on health outcomes, the report authors say. | And our early action on smoking has had a very positive impact on health outcomes, the report authors say. |
They compared all regions across 27 countries in Europe using 37 health indicators in 2006. | They compared all regions across 27 countries in Europe using 37 health indicators in 2006. |
Hot spot | Hot spot |
The UK as a whole scored particularly badly on obesity, being the fattest nation of all. | The UK as a whole scored particularly badly on obesity, being the fattest nation of all. |
And within the UK it was the West Midlands that had the highest percentage of obese adults at 29% - nearly double the EU average of 14% and much higher than the 19% rate seen in Greater London. | And within the UK it was the West Midlands that had the highest percentage of obese adults at 29% - nearly double the EU average of 14% and much higher than the 19% rate seen in Greater London. |
The UK's female death rates from cancer were also among the worst in Europe. | The UK's female death rates from cancer were also among the worst in Europe. |
Deaths in south-east England were the highest at 185 per 100,000, followed by Scotland at 179 per 100,000 and north-east England at 174. This compares with the European average of 139.5 per 100,000. | Deaths in south-east England were the highest at 185 per 100,000, followed by Scotland at 179 per 100,000 and north-east England at 174. This compares with the European average of 139.5 per 100,000. |
All parts of the UK had more teenage mothers than in most other European countries - but the North East of England came out the worst. | All parts of the UK had more teenage mothers than in most other European countries - but the North East of England came out the worst. |
The researchers acknowledge the picture may have changed slightly since the data was collected, but they say their snapshot should be a warning to public health experts. | The researchers acknowledge the picture may have changed slightly since the data was collected, but they say their snapshot should be a warning to public health experts. |
Dr Claire Bradford and Professor John Wilkinson, who compiled the report, said the information could help the UK improve its track record. | Dr Claire Bradford and Professor John Wilkinson, who compiled the report, said the information could help the UK improve its track record. |
Dr Bradford said: "This type of data allows us to compare not just between countries but within countries and to look at what is going well and what is not. | Dr Bradford said: "This type of data allows us to compare not just between countries but within countries and to look at what is going well and what is not. |
"People that are able to influence which way we are going as a nation should look at this to decide on priorities and actions. | "People that are able to influence which way we are going as a nation should look at this to decide on priorities and actions. |
"Our problem with obesity might be a good place to start." | "Our problem with obesity might be a good place to start." |
Commenting on the data, public health expert, Professor Sir Michael Marmot said the report highlighted "stark differences" in health across the EU. | |
"The causes of health inequalities are socially determined," he said. | |
"The behaviours that lead to obesity and teenage pregnancy, for example, arise from social conditions. | |
"This knowledge informs what we as a society can do at a local, regional, national and international level to create the conditions for greater health equity." | |
'Appalled' | |
Professor Steve Field of the Royal College of General Practitioners said: "I'm appalled by the figures and feel ashamed as a GP working in the West Midlands that this area has the highest percentage of obese adults in Europe. | Professor Steve Field of the Royal College of General Practitioners said: "I'm appalled by the figures and feel ashamed as a GP working in the West Midlands that this area has the highest percentage of obese adults in Europe. |
"Obesity is a major problem and predictor of ill health throughout a patient's life, causing serious illnesses. | "Obesity is a major problem and predictor of ill health throughout a patient's life, causing serious illnesses. |
"I hope we will be able to do more in the future to get people to take responsibility for their own health and take more exercise and eat sensibly." | "I hope we will be able to do more in the future to get people to take responsibility for their own health and take more exercise and eat sensibly." |
A Department of Health spokesman said: "The government has made it clear that tackling health inequalities is a priority as part of its commitment to fairness and social justice. | A Department of Health spokesman said: "The government has made it clear that tackling health inequalities is a priority as part of its commitment to fairness and social justice. |
"Action to tackle health inequalities is at the centre of our approach to public health. | "Action to tackle health inequalities is at the centre of our approach to public health. |
"We will aim to use the least intrusive approach necessary to achieve the desired effect. | "We will aim to use the least intrusive approach necessary to achieve the desired effect. |
"We will seek to use approaches that focus on enabling and guiding people's choices wherever possible." | "We will seek to use approaches that focus on enabling and guiding people's choices wherever possible." |