One in five deaths in England in 2023 could have been prevented through ‘timely and effective’ public health and healthcare interventions, new Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures suggest.
The ONS figures, published 28 April, looked at the avoidable mortality rates in England and Wales in 2023, where deaths were considered treatable or preventable given timely and effective healthcare and public health interventions in those under 75 years.
It found that 21.6% of all deaths in England were considered avoidable in 2023.
This figure was similar to the previous year, with 21.7% of deaths avoidable in England in 2022.
There were higher rates of avoidable mortality in more deprived areas in England, with an avoidable mortality rate 3.9 times higher for men in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived, and 3.5 times higher for women.
Anna Gazzillo, senior analytical manager at the Health Foundation, said: ‘New Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures reveal that one in five deaths in England and Wales in 2023 could have been avoided through timely and effective public health action and health care interventions. One in seven deaths were considered preventable through public health measures alone.
‘Avoidable death rates have fallen from their peak during the Covid-19 pandemic but remain higher than before the pandemic. There are also deep and persistent inequalities across the country – avoidable death rates in a deprived area such as Blackpool were 3.6 times higher than in the more affluent Hart.’
She added that though cancers remain the leading cause of avoidable mortality, that trends in alcohol and drug death rates are ‘particularly concerning’.
‘In England, in 2023, these were almost 30% higher than before the pandemic and about 50% higher than in 2013,’ said Ms Gazzillo.
‘Avoidable deaths are not just statistics; they are a stark reminder that too many lives are cut short unnecessarily. They reflect real failures in preventing illness and providing timely care. There is an urgent need for the government to make good on its commitment to reduce unacceptable health inequalities and tackle the root causes of ill health.
‘We need a comprehensive whole-government approach and a renewed focus on prevention. And with the alarming rise in alcohol and drug-related deaths, local authorities need the security of multi-year funding and restoration of the public health grant.’
It comes as urgent and emergency care faced record levels of operational problems this winter, according to a report from the Health Foundation.
A recent report found that staff fatigue was not recognised as a serious risk to patient safety.
