PEOPLE living in Barnsley are more likely to die early than the majority of people in England and Wales - with cancer the most common reason for premature deaths.
A new study conducted by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of charity The Health Foundation said the the findings can be used ‘to support co-ordinated action to address health inequalities’.
Premature mortality is defined as someone who dies from any cause before they reach the age of 75.
The study found the rate of premature deaths in Barnsley between March 2021 and December 2023 was 553 per 100,000 people.
This meant it had the second highest rate in Yorkshire and The Humber, and 20th highest across England and Wales.
The average rate across England was 435 deaths per 100,000 people.
Barnsley’s rate was almost double that of those in the London borough of Richmond, which had the lowest rate of 285 per 100,000.
While these figures considered differences in age and sex among the local population, they did not reflect ethnicity, nationality of birth and socio-economic factors such as deprivation and education.
The dates covered by the study fall within the coronavirus pandemic period, meaning the mortality rates will have been affected both by Covid itself, and the associated pressures on the NHS during the pandemic.
The report’s conclusions state the government’s aims to reduce health inequalities ‘cannot be achieved by any single department or policy alone’.
It says: “Action is needed on the building blocks of health - including ensuring equitable access to education and good quality jobs across England and Wales - to mitigate socio-economic disparities.
“As this analysis also highlights, local challenges differ significantly.
“It is important that solutions are developed or adapted to suit local population needs.”
Daniel Ayoubkhani, head of the ONS health research group, said: “This analysis shows a clear association between where you live and your risk of dying prematurely.”
Across both nations, cancer accounted for the most common cause of premature death.
In Barnsley, it was responsible for a mortality rate of 176 deaths per 100,000 people.
It was followed by cardiovascular disease - 112 per 100,000 - diabetes (66 per 100,000) and respiratory disease (79 per 100,000).
Charles Tallack, Health Foundation director of research and analysis, said: “The opportunity of living a long and healthy life is dependent on the socio-economic conditions people live in.
“This analysis can be used to support co-ordinated, cross-sector action to address health inequalities.”
Barnsley Council is working alongside health agencies across South Yorkshire to improve these figures.
Bosses say that they’re also improving the wider factors that affect health by helping people into work through Pathways to Work, strengthening communities through Love Where You Live, and supporting families through the Great Childhoods Ambition.
Other strategies such as Health on the High Street - which has seen the introduction of the Community Diagnostic Centre and plans to turn the Alhambra Shopping Centre into a new health hub - are also working towards ensuring these figures dramatically change.
