03 December 2012
A report from the Public Health department has shown that Islanders have a high life expectancy, and regular smokers are smoking less with a decrease in lung cancer rates. However, premature deaths - especially from lung cancer, suicide and liver disease - and people’s lifestyles and a lack of physical activity continues to be a concern.
The findings have been published in “A Health Profile for Jersey 2010”, giving Islanders a detailed view of health issues in the Island. It follows the release of a Health Profile for 2008- 2009 earlier this year.
In summary, the 2010 report shows that in that year
- life expectancy in the Island was high
- stillbirths and infant mortality was low
- termination of pregnancy rates were low
- there was a high uptake in child immunisation
- regular smokers were smoking less
There was also a decrease in lung cancer rates, although rates in Jersey are still higher than in the south-west region. However, breast feeding rates were low, there was increasing adult obesity, and data showed that some cancer rates are higher than would be expected.
Speaking about the report, Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Turnbull said: “An important function of delivering good public health is to understand the health of the population. Good data speaks volumes. Public health intelligence is fundamental to informing what is required to improve and protect the health of our population and to contribute to the planning of health care for the future.”
“A detailed Health Profile based on data for Jersey and Guernsey in 2008-09 was produced earlier in 2012. This is the next instalment, based on data for 2010 for Jersey only. The report provides an in depth explanation of a range of Public Health indicators for adults and school aged young people in Jersey - quantifiable measures that can be used to help define and gauge progress towards agreed health goals.”
The findings are arranged into nine themed groups:
- demography
- fertility
- maternal and infant health
- mortality
- life expectancy and premature mortality
- disease incidence and prevalence
- sexual health
- mental health
- disease prevention
- lifestyle
Health Profile for Jersey 2010 (government and administration section)
gov.je