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NICE guidance-support for local government on tackling the causes of poor health

by
20 February 2015

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Helping local authorities to tackle the direct causes of early death is the focus of a new briefing from NICE.

Early death means dying before the age of 75. One in every three people who dies in England is aged under 75 – two-thirds of these deaths are avoidable. Many of the direct causes of death, such as heart disease and cancer, follow long periods of bad health that is often caused by lifestyle factors.

NICE’s briefing focuses on the actions that local authorities can take to reduce early death; to address lifestyle issues that lead to poor health; to improve access to services; and to prevent unintentional injuries.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive at NICE said: “Taking early action to tackle issues such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity could save about 103,000 people from dying early each year in England. 

“This new briefing pulls together recommendations from a wide range of NICE guidance to help local government use effective practical ways to address the direct causes of illness and early death.”