Stroke and other circulatory disorders each account for around a quarter. Twice as many women die from heart and circulatory disease as they do from cancer. The BHF estimates that around 5,000 CHD deaths each year in men under 65 can be attributed to social inequality. Male manual workers are 58 per cent more likely to suffer premature death due to CHD than their non-manual counterparts. The BHF believes the single most important factor is that cigarette smoking is declining more rapidly amongst non-manual workers.
Dietary differences are also important.
CVD death rates have fallen since the 1970s, particularly in the younger age groups and amongst the wealthy, but the BHF says social inequalities are holding back the rate of progress. Public health minister Tessa Jowell, speaking to the Stroke Association, reiterated the government's commitment to cutting stroke deaths in the under-75s by 40 per cent by the year 2010. Stroke prevention would also form a key component in the forthcoming National Service Framework for Older People. Private sector depends on NHS Every year over 500 patients in private hospitals have to be transferred to the NHS because of complications requiring intensive care, which is seldom available in the private sector. The issue was discussed in a BBC Television 'Panorama' programme.