South Lakeland Health Improvement Plan - NHS Cumbria

Executive SummaryThe purpose of this report is to provide a summary assessment of the state ofthe health of residents of South Lakeland. This is in order to identify thebroader determinants of ill health which affect the community, and to highlightpriority areas for action. Differences in the health of the South Lakelandpopulation compared to Cumbria and England are outlined, and inequalitieswithin South Lakeland itself are also identified.The Population Structure and General Health of South Lakeland Despite having the largest population of all districts in Cumbria, thepopulation density of South Lakeland is the second lowest in the regionand is significantly lower than the England average. This is a result ofboth the large size and rural nature of South Lakeland. The current population has a much greater proportion of those aged 65and over than the national average. This is also the highest proportionof any district in Cumbria. Population predictions show a 61% increase in those aged 65 and overby 2028. There is a predicted 2% decrease of those aged under 65,leading to a total population increase of 12% from 2008 levels by 2028. The health of people in South Lakeland is generally better than thenational average. Overall mortality rates at all ages, from all causes arelower than the national average and life expectancy is higher for bothmen and women. All of the 47 wards in South Lakeland fall within the least threedeprived of the five national deprivation groups. Quality of life in theregion is high with 90% of residents claiming they are satisfied withSouth Lakeland as a place to live. Mortality rates for circulatory diseases in South Lakeland are lowerthan the national average despite Cumbria as a whole having higherrates. Mortality from circulatory diseases has decreased since 1995 ata rate which exceeds the national target. Mortality from cancers is also lower than the national average and hasdecreased since 1995 at a rate exceeding the national target. Adult mortality from land transport accidents is higher in SouthLakeland than it is nationally. There is a large gap between thenumbers of men and women who are killed on the roads.South Lakeland Baseline Assessment 2009 4