Britons less healthy - report
Updated on 22 October 2007
Britons drink more alcohol, eat less fruit and veg and are more likely to die from smoking than the average European, according to Government figures.
While life expectancy is at its highest level yet, with death rates from cancers and circulatory diseases falling and the infant death rate at its lowest level yet in England.
There are problems tackling public health issues, when the UK is compared other European countries.
Statistics show rates of obesity, diabetes and alcohol-related admissions are rising across England.
There are also 288.6 deaths per 100,000 people from smoking-related causes in the UK compared with an EU average of 263.7
The report also showed there is poorer health in the North of England compared with the South across many factors.
Men in the North do not live as long as those in the South. The under 18 conception rate and the number of binge drinking adults is also higher in the North.
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "This report shows that mortality rates from cancers, circulatory diseases and suicides are declining.
"But there is still a lot to do in tackling health inequalities. To address this we have already announced major improvements to GP services across the country - greater flexibility in opening times, and over 100 new GP practices in the 25% of PCTs with the poorest provision."
The Health Profile of England 2007 was published by the Department of Health.
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