The battle against heart disease in the UK is still far from won, a leading charity warned yesterday.
Betty McBride of the British Heart Foundation made a statement in response to new figures on deaths due to alcohol misuse. The Office for National Statistics figures indicate that the number of alcohol-related deaths in 2007 was slightly lower than in 2006. However, the rate was still nearly double that of 1991.
Many of these alcohol-related deaths were due to heart disease. The British Heart Foundation state: "Excessive drinking is known to have a direct effect on the heart."
Ms McBride says: "These statistics paint a picture in which the UK suffers a higher premature heart and circulatory disease death rate than most Western Europe countries. Despite the enormous gravity of these threats, we’re still waiting for the government to confirm it will have a strategy to tackle heart disease in England. Without a new plan to treat heart disease, how can we hope to tackle Britain’s biggest killer?"
Professor Ian Gilmore of the Royal College of Physicians stated: "A doubling of alcohol-related deaths in the span of 16 years is a stark reminder of the toll of alcohol misuse on the nation’s health as well as on the fabric of our communities.
"More work needs to be done to reinforce the message among young men that they may pay a fatal price for drinking so heavily in their 20s and 30s. While individual responsibility is vital, government can and should do more."
Professor Gilmore added that the Policing and Crime Bill is currently going through parliament. This is "an excellent opportunity to amend the Licensing Act 2003", he says.
The new figures for England show increased life expectancy, but highlight challenges in a number of critical areas.
Released yesterday (January 27) by the Department of Health, the third national Health Profile of England includes figures up to the end of November 2008. It shows a drop in deaths from cancer, circulatory diseases and suicide. It also suggests a rise in life expectancy, and a fall in infant mortality.
These improvements are partly due to better drugs and investment and reform in NHS services, says the report.
Nevertheless some challenges remain, such the curbing rising rates of diabetes and chlamydia, and maintaining support for people who want to stop smoking and boost their physical activity levels and fruit and vegetable intake.
"Seeing the nation’s health and life expectancy improve is extremely encouraging," said public health minister, Dawn Primarolo. "Sustained investment in targeted prevention and treatment has paid off. However, we have so much more to do and can’t ever assume our work is done."
For example, she called the obesity epidemic "an urgent priority", and stated that the Change4Life revolution is well underway, motivating everyone to eat well, move more, and live longer.
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