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Overview
Although mortality from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in the UK is declining, it continues to be the most common cause of death. More than one in five men and one in six women die from the disease. Both morbidity and mortality vary geographically, with higher rates in the North of the UK compared to the South. There are also socio-economic and ethnic differences, with higher rates of CHD in manual workers compared to non-manual workers and higher rates in South Asians compared to the population as a whole.
Reducing CHD is a major public health focus with a national target of reducing rates by 40% by 2010 (based on Health of the Nation target from 1999). Primary prevention concentrates on altering modifiable lifestyle factors including diet, exercise and obesity as well as stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake. Public health also has a role to play in secondary and tertiary prevention including ensuring appropriate availability of medication as necessary and equity of access to high quality surgical procedures.
SEPHO is the lead public health observatory for Coronary Heart Disease.
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