Copeland Health Profile 2010 - Cumbria County Council
Copeland Health Profile 2010 - Cumbria County Council
Copeland Health Profile 2010 - Cumbria County Council
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What are the main behavioural risk factors resulting in the inequalities gap in life<br />
expectancy and infant mortality<br />
Figure 19: Behavioural risk factors<br />
There are six main behavioural risk factors that contribute to poor health and health<br />
inequalities: diet, physical exercise, smoking alcohol consumption, teenage pregnancy and<br />
breast feeding. Their impact on health is illustrated in figure 22. These risk factors will be<br />
discussed in the following sections.<br />
Smoking<br />
Smoking is the biggest preventable single cause of preventable illness and death in the UK.<br />
About 90% of lung cancer deaths and 17% of coronary heart disease are attributable to<br />
smoking (ASH, 2007). Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to increase infant mortality by<br />
about 40% (DoH 2007).<br />
Figure 20: Estimated smoking prevalence<br />
Figure 20 takes data from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, 2009 report. This shows<br />
that smoking prevalence within <strong>Copeland</strong> is well above the <strong>Cumbria</strong> average.<br />
<strong>Copeland</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Profile</strong><br />
J Clay<br />
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