Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

3.7 In 2001, the incidence of all cancers in the East of England (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) was
about 360 per 100,000 population for males and 320 per 100,000 population for females; this rate
increased marginally during the 1990s although there is a suggestion of a slight decline more recently.
Compared to the UK as a whole, the East of England has fewer cancers strongly associated with
smoking and deprivation (e.g. lung, pancreas). 17
3.8 The prevalence of CHD (CHD) is more difficult to estimate. In 2003, age-standardised mortality rates
for circulatory diseases in the East of England were 288 per 100,000 population for males (compared
to 322 in England and Wales) and 344 per 100,000 population for females (compared to 371 in
England and Wales); all of these figures had improved during the preceding decade. 18
3.9 With regard to the incidence of both cancer and CHD, there is evidence of substantial inequality
due to deprivation. 19 This can be observed between wards within Local Authority Districts in the
East of England. Overall, there are more Local Authority Districts with inequality in CHD than
cancer, and the degree of inequality also tends to be greater for CHD.
Health and deprivation
3.10 At a District level, Figure 3.6 summarises the relationships between life expectancy, changes in life
expectancy, poor health and socio-economic inequalities in CHD and cancer. This is accompanied
by a series of maps (see pp 34 -37) which illustrate spatial patterns of deprivation, poor health
and life expectancy across PCT areas within the East of England.
17 Cancer Incidence in the East INpho Briefing papers on topical public health issues, published by ERPHO May 2004 Issue 10.
18 Region in Figures: East of England, National Statistics (Crown copyright) – Winter 2004/05 (No 9) Data from Table 7.14.
19 Based on a measure known as the Slope Index of Inequality: this quantifies the extent to which there is inequality due to deprivation between
wards in each of the East of England Local Authority Districts.
A Regional Health Strategy for the East of England 31