Why is this National Indicator important?
Pre-mature mortality - defined as death from all causes, aged under 75 - is an important indicator of the overall health of the population. Scotland has the highest rates of pre-mature mortality in the UK, as well as significant inequalities in pre-mature mortality within Scotland. Between 1997 and 2009, deaths amongst those aged under 75 years have decreased by 24.9%. Despite these decreases, around 21,200 people aged under 75 still die each year. Deaths in this age group are more common in deprived areas. In 2009, under 75 deaths amongst those living in the most deprived decile were 3.7 times more likely than those living in the least deprived decile. Health inequalities are not just unfair for people who are adversely affected, but are also bad for the country as a whole. By holding back those who can and want to make a contribution to Scotland's prosperity, inequalities in health and other social outcomes are a very real barrier to achieving the Scottish Government's Purpose.
This indicator will help monitor general population health, as well as progress in reducing health inequalities in Scotland.
What will influence this National Indicator?
Delivering significant and sustainable improvements in health requires a focus on the underlying causes of poor health and inequalities. Poor health is not simply due to diet, smoking or other life style choices, but also the result of other factors such as people's aspirations, sense of control and cultural factors. Ensuring children have the best start in life, tackling poverty, reducing unemployment, promoting mental wellbeing, increasing educational attainment and improving poor physical and social environments will, therefore, all contribute to reducing pre-mature mortality. This needs to be complemented by specific action on the "big killer" diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer where some of the risk factors, such as smoking, are strongly linked to deprivation, as well as addressing drug and alcohol problems and links to violence that affect younger men in particular.
What is the Government's role?
The Scottish Government's role is to ensure a continued focus on improving health and reducing inequalities, through its ongoing commitment to allocating resources to preventative activity. This will also involve working with partners across the public sector to ensure a collaborative approach to the delivery of public services which influence effectively the range of circumstances that contribute to people's health and wellbeing. This means Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) delivering genuinely integrated services, through partnership working and shared resources, which target the underlying causes of inequalities. It means that the third sector should be actively involved. It also means that communities themselves must be engaged and consulted and the continued promotion of assets-based approaches to service delivery. The Scottish Government also has a direct role in ensuring the healthcare service delivers on all of the dimensions of the Quality Strategy, which will contribute to improving population health.
How is Scotland performing?
There has been a steady reduction in the mortality rate among under 75s over the last decade. The age-standardised mortality rate in 2010 was 357 per 100,000 people, which is a two per cent reduction on the 2009 figure (365 per 100,000 people).
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Scottish Government Health Analytical Services
Criteria for recent change
The evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 2 percent of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease of 2 percent or more suggests the position is improving; whereas an increase of 2 percent or more suggests the position is worsening.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
Community Planning Partnerships
COSLA
Local Authorities
NHS Scotland
Police
Third Sector
Related Strategic Objectives
Healthier
Safer and Stronger
Smarter
Wealthier and Fairer