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Fifer’s Enjoy Better Health
FIFERS in general are in
good health with the number of deaths from heart disease and strokes falling,
according to a report by NHS Fife’s director of public health.
Deaths from coronary heart
disease have dropped from almost 80 in every 100,000 of the population in 2003
to 62 in 100,000 last year.
Dr Gina Radford, director of
public health, said: “These figures are reassuring, but leave no room for
complacency.”
Her annual report covering
the years 2005-07 considers a range of issues about health and wellbeing in Fife, particularly focusing on lifestyle and lifestages
issues.
The report says that deaths
in Fife as a result of stroke continue to
fall, year on year, and last year the figure fell below the target for 2010.
There are around 400 deaths from stroke each year in Fife
and an es timated further 450 people survive strokes annually.
However, it says there are
still big challenges with regard to smoking and obesity. The number of
overweight adults in Fife has risen and one in
four P1 pupils is either overweight or obese.
More adults in Fife smoke than the Scottish average, (28 per cent
compared to 27 per cent). However, research suggests that the ban on smoking in
public places will reduce smoking levels by at least 2 per cent which equates
to 5000 people quitting in Fife.
The main focus of the report
is key lifestyle and lifestage issues which affect the health and wellbeing of Fife people.
The report highlights key
health data, community development, improving aspects of dental and
pharmaceutical care, screening services and a range of activity in health
protection. It also identifies the next steps for taking forward public health
priorities.
The report states that Fife’s
population is rising and the trend is set to increase. The number of births in Fife exceeded deaths last year for the first time in 13
years. In addition, the number of people moving to Fife
was more than those who left, resulting in a net gain of 2194 people.
The annual report 2005-07 is
published on the NHS Fife website. It
can be downloaded here
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