Life expectancy and causes of death

Life expectancy at birth

 

Life expectancy at birth is an important summary measure of population health. It estimates the average number of years a newborn would live if current geographical and age-specific mortality rates remained constant throughout their life. It is influenced by a wide range of factors including socio-economic status, healthcare access, lifestyle behaviours and environmental conditions.

Over the period analysed, average male and female life expectancy in Wiltshire has generally been comparably higher than that estimated for both the South West region and England as a whole. Average life expectancy for females is also consistently higher than for males locally, regionally and nationally.

In the period 2021-2023, the average life expectancy for females in Wiltshire was 3.6 years higher than males, with females in Wiltshire expected to live to 84.6 years and males to 81.0 years. The gap in life expectancy between males and females is partly down to genetic, biological and behavioural differences, as explored in this Advisory Board article.

 

 

Definition: Life expectancy at birth for males and females is the average number of years a person would expect to live based on contemporary mortality rates in a particular area.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics, Life expectancy for local areas in Great Britain, 2017-19 - 2021-23, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

 

 Life expectancy at birth in Wiltshire by national deprivation decile

 

Nationally and locally, people living in more deprived areas tend to have a shorter life expectancy than those in more affluent areas. This gap is largely driven by differences in exposure to health risks (e.g. smoking, poor diet, hazardous work), long-term conditions and access to health care. Reducing health inequalities is a key objective of both national policy and local health strategies.

In Wiltshire, the average life expectancy at birth in the period 2021-2023 was 81.0 years for males and 84.6 years for females. For both males and females living in Wiltshire, those living in more deprived areas have a shorter life expectancy than those living in other parts of the county.

In the period 2021-2023 in Wiltshire, male life expectancy ranged from 76.6 years in the most deprived decile (decile 1) to 82.1 years in the least deprived (decile 10). This represents a gap of 5.5 years, which is smaller than the 10.4-year difference observed nationally between the most and least deprived areas in England.

 

Over the same time frame, female life expectancy in Wiltshire ranges from 81.7 years in the most deprived decile to 86.6 years in the least deprived. This is a difference of 4.9 years which is again markedly lower than the 8.2 year difference in female life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas in England.

 

Definition: Life expectancy at birth for males and females is the average number of years a person would expect to live based on contemporary mortality rates in a particular area.

Life expectancy at birth data for Wiltshire is presented here by national deprivation decile.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics, Life expectancy for local areas in Great Britain, 2017-19 - 2021-23, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Life expectancy at 65 years

 

Life expectancy at 65 is the average number of additional years a person aged 65 years can expect to live if current geographical and age-specific mortality rates remained constant after that age.

It provides a useful measure of life expectancy in later life and is shaped by numerous factors including long-term health behaviours, health conditions as well as access to health and social care.

In the period 2021-2023 in Wiltshire, males aged 65 years could expect to live an additional 19.6 years. This is higher than both the South West (19.3 years) as well as England (18.7 years).

In the same data period, females aged 65 years in Wiltshire could expect to live a further 22.2 years. This is 2.6 years longer than for males in the county and is again higher than estimates for the South West (21.8 years) and England as a whole (21.1 years).

The long-term rise in life expectancy is a key factor in the restructuring of Wiltshire’s population to include a higher proportion of older people. This presents a number of long term challenges in terms of service provision. Further data on the ageing population can be found in the population and deprivation section of the JSNA.

 

 

Definition: Life expectancy at 65 for males and females is the average number of years a person aged 65 years would expect to live based on contemporary mortality rates in a particular area.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics, Life expectancy for local areas in Great Britain, 2017-19 - 2021-23, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Healthy life expectancy at birth

 

Healthy life expectancy at birth (HLE) estimates the number of years a person can expect to live in good health. This is based on current geographical and age-specific mortality rates and health status. As such, it adds a quality of life dimension to overall life expectancy measures.

In the period 2021-2023, healthy life expectancy in males in Wiltshire was 64.7 years. This is above that estimated for both the South West region (63.0 years) as well as nationally (61.5 years). Despite remaining above national and regional levels, estimated male healthy life expectancy in Wiltshire has declined by nearly two years since 2017–2019.

 

Female healthy life expectancy in Wiltshire in 2021-2023 stood at 64.8 years, again above estimates for the South West (62.9 years) and England as a whole (61.9 years). Similarly to males, healthy life expectancy for females in Wiltshire has fallen by almost two and a half years since 2017–2019.

Whilst Wiltshire continues to outperform national and regional benchmarks for both male and female healthy life expectancy, the downward trend seen since 2017–2019 underlines the importance of addressing health inequalities to improve quality of life into advancing age.

 

Definition: Healthy life expectancy for males and females is the average number of years a person would expect to live in good health based on contemporary mortality rates and the prevalence of self reported good health in a particular area.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics, Health state life expectancies in England and Wales, 2017-19 - 2021-2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

 

Proportion of life expectancy spent in healthy life

 

The previous indicators presented data relating to male and female healthy life expectancy in terms of years. Another way of looking at healthy life expectancy is the proportion of life spent in good health. Most recent estimates (2021-2023) indicate that males in Wiltshire spend 79.9% of their lives in good health compared to 78.7% in the South West region and 77.8% nationally. Females in Wiltshire meanwhile spend 76.5% of their lives in good health. This is higher than regional (74.9%) and national estimates (74.5%).

Although females in Wiltshire generally live longer compared with males, a smaller proportion of their life is spent in good health. This suggests that women experience more years living in poor health when compared with men.

 

Definition: The percentage of life expectancy spent in good health.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics, Health state life expectancies in England and Wales, 2017-19 - 2021-2023.

Infant mortality

 

Infant mortality rate refers to the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. It is a widely used measure of population health as it reflects both maternal health and factors affecting the early stages of life. Lower rates are associated with better antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care, as well as improvements in living conditions and access to health services.

In 2021–2023, Wiltshire recorded an infant mortality rate of 2.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is similar to the South West (2.9) and well below England (4.1).

 

Definition: The rate of infant deaths aged under 1 year per 1,000 live births.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual births and mortality extracts 2017-19 - 2021-23, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Mortality in under 75 year olds in Wiltshire

 

Premature mortality refers to deaths occurring in persons under the age of 75 years. In 2022/23, 1,394 deaths (from all causes) were recorded in persons aged below 75 years in Wiltshire compared with 1,372 in 2023/24.

 

Definition: The total number of deaths (from all causes) of Wiltshire residents aged below 75 years old.

Data source and time period: Primary Care Mortality Database (PCMD), NHS Digital, 2022/23 and 2023/24.

 

Mortality in under 75 year olds in Wiltshire by causation grouping

 

As with the overall population, cancers and cardiovascular (circulatory) diseases are also responsible for the majority of deaths of persons aged under 75 years in Wiltshire (62% in 2022/23 and 65% in 2023/24). This is a pattern that is consistent with previous years.

The proportions of other significant causes of death in persons aged under 75 years in Wiltshire (including respiratory diseases, mental and behavioural disorders and diseases of the nervous and digestive systems) have remained broadly comparable between 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Premature mortality correlates strongly with many other measures of population health. To ensure a reduction, there needs to be combined action on prevention, early disease detection and treatment.

 

Definition: The percentage of deaths of Wiltshire residents aged under 75 years old by causation grouping.

Data source and time period: Primary Care Mortality Database (PCMD), NHS Digital, 2022/23 and 2023/24.

 

Mortality rate for under 75 year olds

 

In 2023, the rate of deaths in persons aged below 75 in Wiltshire was 278.6 per 100,000 population. This is lower than rates in both the South West region (306.3 per 100,000) as well as England (341.6 per 100,000). Whilst the rate of premature mortality in all persons in Wiltshire has remained below South West regional and national levels over the period analysed, they have been slowly rising since 2021.

 

Between 2019 - 2023, the rate of male premature mortality in Wiltshire routinely fell below rates seen in both the South West region and England. In 2023, the rate of premature mortality in males in Wiltshire (332.8 per 100,000) was higher than that for females (227.1 per 100,000) and this is a sustained historical local and national trend.

 

Whilst the rate of deaths in females under 75 years in Wiltshire has been consistently below national levels between 2019 - 2023, in 2023, the local rate (227.1 per 100,000) was similar to that recorded in the South West (238.2 per 100,000).

 

Definition: Directly age-standardised mortality rate (per 100,000) for all deaths in persons, males and females aged under 75 years.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2019 - 2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

 

Proportion of mortality considered to be preventable in under 75 year olds

 

Preventable mortalities are those where the causes of death are considered to have been potentially preventable by early public health and primary healthcare interventions (i.e. before the onset of diseases).

This indicator focuses solely on prevention, addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet and harmful alcohol use. It is an important measure for monitoring the effectiveness of prevention strategies and reducing early deaths from major diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In 2023, in Wiltshire, approximately two in five premature deaths (42%) among people aged under 75 were considered preventable compared with 44% in the South West and 45% in England.

 

Definition: Percentage of deaths considered preventable for people aged under 75.

Data source and time period: Calculated from number of deaths from all causes in persons aged under 75 years and number of deaths from causes considered preventable in persons under 75 years. Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2019 - 2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

 

Preventable mortality in under 75 year olds

 

In 2023, the rate of deaths from causes considered to be preventable in persons below 75 in Wiltshire was 116.6 per 100,000 population. This is lower than both the South West (135.4 per 100,000) as well as England (153.0 per 100,000) and this is a sustained, long term trend.

 

Between 2019 - 2023, rates of preventable mortality in males below 75 in Wiltshire have remained consistently below those in the South West and England. Locally, rates of preventable mortality in males below the age of 75 have been steadily reducing since 2021.

Over the five year period analysed, rates of preventable mortality in females below 75 in Wiltshire have remained consistently below national rates. Conversely to males, rates have been steadily increasing since 2021 and, as at 2023, are now similar to rates recorded across the South West region.

In 2023, the rate of deaths from causes considered preventable in men under 75 in Wiltshire (153.5 per 100,000) was higher than that for females (81.8 per 100,000) which is consistent with the long term national picture.

 

 

Definition: Directly age-standardised mortality rate (per 100,000) for deaths from causes considered preventable in persons, males and females aged under 75 years.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2019 - 2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

All age, all cause mortality in Wiltshire

 

Understanding the numbers and causes of death is important for planning future health and care services and for informing population level prevention strategies.

In 2022/23, 5,442 deaths (from all causes) were recorded in Wiltshire (in all persons, of all ages) compared with 5,152 in 2023/24.

 

Definition: The total number of deaths (from all causes) of Wiltshire residents (of all ages).

Data source and time period: Primary Care Mortality Database (PCMD), NHS Digital, 2022/23 and 2023/24.

 

All age, all cause mortality in Wiltshire by causation grouping

 

Cancers (neoplasms) and cardiovascular (circulatory) diseases continue to cause just over half (52%) of all deaths in Wiltshire. This is a pattern that is consistent with previous years.

The proportions of other significant causes of death in Wiltshire (including respiratory diseases, mental and behavioural disorders and diseases of the nervous and digestive systems) have remained broadly comparable between 2022/23 and 2023/24.

 

Definition: The percentage of deaths of Wiltshire residents (of all ages) by causation grouping.

Data source and time period: Primary Care Mortality Database (PCMD), NHS Digital, 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in persons aged under 75 years old

 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) include all heart and circulatory diseases, including coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease, hypertension, stroke and vascular dementia. Whilst some conditions are hereditary, cardiovascular diseases are also influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking, diet and levels of physical activity. In Wiltshire, cardiovascular diseases and cancers remain the two leading causes of premature mortality (deaths in persons under the age of 75).

In 2023, the rate of deaths due to CVD in persons below 75 in Wiltshire was 63.4 per 100,000 population. This is similar to the South West (68.6 per 100,000), yet lower than England (77.4 per 100,000). Over the period analysed, the CVD mortality rate in persons under 75 in Wiltshire has been either below, or in line with, South West regional and national levels. It has, however, been slowly rising since 2021.

 

Between 2019 - 2023, rates of CVD mortality in males and females below 75 in Wiltshire are routinely below that seen England and broadly similar to that reported in the South West.

There are however, notable differences between males and females. In 2023, the rate of CVD mortality in men under 75 in Wiltshire (89.5 per 100,000) was more than double that for women (38.8 per 100,000), a pattern consistent with national trends.

 

 

Definition: Directly age-standardised mortality rate (per 100,000) for deaths due to cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) in persons, males and females aged under 75 years.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2019 - 2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

 

Preventable mortality from cardiovascular disease in persons aged under 75 years old

 

Preventable mortalities are those where the causes of death are considered to have been potentially preventable by early public health and primary healthcare interventions (i.e. before the onset of diseases).

This data looks specifically at preventable mortality related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) as cardiovascular diseases and cancers are collectively the two leading causes of premature mortality in Wiltshire (deaths in persons under the age of 75).

CVD and many cancers share common preventable risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity.

Over the five data points analysed, the rate of preventable CVD mortality in persons under the age of 75 in Wiltshire has been consistently below that of South West and England comparators. Wiltshire rates have, however, been very slowly rising since 2019-2021, mirroring regional and national trends. This upward shift in preventable CVD mortality highlights the need to maintain focus on risk reduction strategies.

 

Rates of preventable CVD mortality in both males and females under 75 in Wiltshire are routinely below that recorded across England and are broadly in line with rates across the South West. Locally, regionally and nationally, rates of preventable CVD mortality in males are higher than those for females.

 

 

Definition: Directly age-standardised mortality rate (per 100,000) for deaths from cardiovascular disease considered preventable in persons, males and females aged under 75 years.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2017-19 - 2021-23 via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Mortality rate due to cancer in persons under 75 year olds

 

In Wiltshire, cardiovascular diseases and cancers remain the two leading causes of premature mortality (deaths in persons under the age of 75).

In 2023, the rate of deaths due to cancer in persons below 75 in Wiltshire was 110.1 per 100,000 population. This is similar to the South West (114.2 per 100,000), yet lower than England (120.8 per 100,000). Over the period analysed, the cancer mortality rate in persons under 75 in Wiltshire has been either below, or in line with, South West regional and national levels.

 

Between 2019 - 2023, the rate of cancer mortality in males and females below 75 in Wiltshire was broadly similar to those reported regionally in the South West as well as throughout England.

In 2023, the rate of cancer mortality in men under 75 in Wiltshire (119.1 per 100,000) was higher than that for females (101.9 per 100,000) which is consistent with the long term national picture.

 

 

Definition: Directly age-standardised mortality rate (per 100,000) for deaths due to cancer in persons, males and females aged under 75 years old.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2019 - 2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

 

Preventable mortality from cancer in persons under 75 years old

 

Preventable mortalities are those where the causes of death are considered to have been potentially preventable by early public health and primary healthcare interventions (i.e. before the onset of diseases). This data looks specifically at preventable mortality related to cancer as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancers are collectively the two leading causes of premature mortality in Wiltshire (deaths in persons under the age of 75).

CVD and many cancers share common preventable risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity.

Over the five data points analysed, the rate of preventable cancer mortality in persons under the age of 75 in Wiltshire has been consistently below that of South West and England comparators.

 

Rates of preventable cancer mortality in males under 75 in Wiltshire are routinely below those recorded in both the South West and England. Wiltshire rates have, however, been very slowly rising since 2019-2021

Rates in females of the same age have been consistently below national levels over the period analysed and have remained below rates seen in the South West since 2019 - 2021. Locally, regionally and nationally, rates of preventable cancer mortality in males are higher than those for females.

 

 

Definition: Directly age-standardised mortality rate (per 100,000) for deaths from cancer considered preventable in persons, males and females aged under 75 years

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Annual mortality extract (produced for OHID), 2017-19 - 2021-23, via the OHID Fingertips tool

Suicides

 

Suicide is a sensitive and complex issue that can have devasting long term effects on relatives, friends and wider communities. Whilst there are often a multitude of reasons why someone may choose to take their own life, suicide can result when a person feels overwhelmed by what they are experiencing and can see no other way to cope.

Suicide rates in Wiltshire have reduced slightly in 2021-2023 following a period of sustained increase between 2017-2019 and 2020-2022. In the most recently published aggregated time period (2021-2023), the rate of recorded suicides in Wiltshire stood at 10.6 per 100,000 population. This is similar to rates reported in both the South West (12.2 per 100,000) and England (10.7 per 100,000).

 

In Wiltshire, the rate of suicide is significantly higher in males and this is true both regionally and nationally. Rates amongst Wiltshire males have steadily decreased since 2019-21, whilst rates amongst females in Wiltshire, although comparatively lower than males, have been rising incrementally since 2017-19.

In 2021-23, the suicide rate in males in Wiltshire was approximately twice as high than that recorded in females.

The multi agency Wiltshire Suicide Reduction Group aims to address local priorities to prevent suicides through a consistent, collaborative approach. Working closely with the police, Wiltshire also has a real time suspected suicide surveillance system in place to rapidly identify any emerging trends in relation to suicides within the county. This allows for additional data gathering to inform tailored and timely interventions and preventative activity.

 

 

Definition: Directly standardised rate of deaths from suicide (per 100,000 population) for all persons, males and females aged 10 years and over.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Suicides in England and Wales, 2017-19 - 2021-23, via the OHID Fingertips tool.