Key findings include:

* early deaths from heart disease, stroke and cancer are falling
* more state school children spend at least two hours a week on sport or PE
* smoking-related deaths are falling
* life expectancy rises, both in affluent and disadvantaged areas, but the average length of life continues to be shorter in many disadvantaged areas
* average hospital stays due to alcohol related conditions rise

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said:

‘The health of the nation is improving, thanks to excellent work by dedicated people throughout the NHS and local authorities, underpinned by Government action and the means to do the job. It is good to see that people can expect to live longer, that early deaths from heart disease, cancer and smoking-related diseases are decreasing. I’m particularly pleased to see more children enjoying at least two hours of school sports and PE.

‘But people living in some areas are still healthier than those living in other areas, which is unacceptable. The NHS and local authorities need to work with this published information to identify what the issues are in their area and take action for the sake of the health of their local population.’

The Health Profiles show:

* the rate of early deaths (under 75) from heart disease and stroke has continued to fall across England to 79 per hundred thousand, from 84 in last year’s profile.
* early deaths (under 75) from cancer have continued to fall across England, to 116 per hundred thousand from 117.
* deaths from smoking-related diseases in people aged 35+ continue to fall across England, to 210 per hundred thousand, from 225.
* life expectancy at birth continues to improve across England for both men and women, but there is still wide variation across the country.
* proportion of 5-16 year old children in state schools who spend at least two hours a week on high quality physical education or school sports has risen to 90%, from 86% last year.

Alison Hill, Director of the South East Public Health Observatory, which produces the health profiles, explained that the aim is to give commissioners of health and social care crucial up-to-date knowledge. She said:

‘This enables them to spend their money where it will do most good. The literature and evidence suggest that childhood obesity can be tackled by promoting breastfeeding, a healthy diet in childhood and more physical activity. Health Profiles can help local authorities with high rates of childhood obesity to look at all these factors in a joined up way.’

Health Profiles provide a snapshot of health for each council area in England using key health measures, which enables comparison locally, regionally and in some cases over time. They are designed to help local councils and the NHS decide where to target action and resources in their area.