The health of the nation : a consultative document for health in England / presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health by Command of Her Majesty, June 1991.

  • Great Britain. Department of Health.
Date:
1991
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: The health of the nation : a consultative document for health in England / presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health by Command of Her Majesty, June 1991. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    malignant neoplasms. Cervical cancer diminished by 20% but there was little change in breast cancer mortality, which accounts for over one quarter of all cancer deaths in the under 65 age group. ACCIDENTS 11 By the year 2000, deaths from accidents in the Region should be reduced by at least 25% through an intensified effort to reduce traffic, home and occupational accidents. Mortality from all external causes of injury and poisoning, and particularly from motor vehicle traffic accidents, is one of the lowest in Europe. There has been a 19% fall in the overall category, including 24% fall in accident mortality in England over the past nine years. SUFCIDE 12 By the year 2000, the current rising trends in suicides and attempted suicides in the Region should be reversed. Although the Regional target recommendation of a reversal in current rising trends in suicides is being achieved — the overall suicide rate declined by 18% between 1980 and 1989 — differing trends have occurred by age and sex. During this period, the suicide rate fell by only 1.4% in males but 46% in females. Amongst males a rise occurred in young adults, particularly in (71% in the period males age 20-24 years rise 1980-1989). DIFE Ss) YLEs 13 By 1990, national policies in all member states should ensure that legislative, administrative and economic mechanisms provide broad intersectoral support and resources for the promotion of healthy lifestyles and ensure effective participation of the people at all levels of such policy-making. 14 By 1990, all member states should have specific programmes which enhance the major roles of the family and other social groups in developing and supporting healthy lifestyles. 15 By 1990, educational programmes in all member states should enhance the knowledge, motivation and skills of people to acquire and maintain health. 16 By 1995, in all member states, there should be significant increases in positive health behaviour, such as balanced nutrition, non-smoking, appropriate physical activity and good stress management. 17 By 1995, in all member states, there should be significant decreases in health-damaging behaviour, such as overuse of alcohol and pharmaceutical products; use of illicit drugs, and dangerous chemical substances; dangerous driving and violent social behaviour. Although there has been a discernible improvement in the awareness of the population as to what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, much remains to be done. In areas where overall encouraging trends have occurred, such as smoking, diet and road traffic accidents, further improvement is required and in a number of areas related to health-damaging behaviour, such as alcohol misuse and drug abuse, there has been no improvement so far. SMOKING The prevalence of cigarette smoking in adults in England has continued to fall. In 1980, 61% of the population were non-smokers. By 1988 that figure had risen to 68%. Reductions in smoking rates among