UK Health Statistics, 2010
UK Health Statistics 2010 produced by the Office for National Statistics was released on 26 November 2010 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
The publication provides a ready reference comparing key health topics between the constituent countries of the UK. It largely draws on previously published figures. Some international comparisons are drawn with the 27 countries of the European Union.
Some of the key points for Wales compared to the other UK countries are:
- Wales had the highest proportion of older people in 2009, with 22 per cent of the whole population aged over state pension age compared with 19 per cent in the UK as a whole.
- In 2009, Wales had the highest age-specific fertility rates for younger age groups (15-19 and 20-24 year olds).
- In 2006-8, at birth, healthy life expectancy was highest for males in England at 63.0 years and lowest in Wales at 60.2 years. For females, healthy life expectancy was highest in England at 64.5 years and lowest in Wales at 62.7 years.
- Wales had the highest incidence rate for prostate cancer (115.3) compared to the UK (98.4) and a higher rate of female breast cancer (123.3) than the UK (122.2), though mortality rates for these cancers are not substantially higher than other parts of the UK.
- In 2008, Wales had the lowest proportion of male adults who smoke, but a higher proportion than the UK average of female adults who smoke.
- In 2009-10 childhood immunisation rates in Wales were higher than England but lower than Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- In 2009-10 Wales had the lowest proportion of people aged 65+ who had been immunised against influenza in the past 12 months.
- Wales and Northern Ireland had the lowest numbers of general practitioners (GPs) per head of population compared to other UK countries at 6.5 GPs per 10,000 population.
Further information
Office for National Statistics website.
Contact
Tel: 029 2082 5080
E-mail: stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk
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