Death rates from circulatory diseases, ages under 75 (change in rate)

Percentage change in mortality rate from all circulatory diseases in persons aged under 75 per 100,000 population (age and sex standardised)

Rationale

Circulatory diseases are a major cause of early death, accounting for 39,000 deaths in men (a third of all deaths) and 20,000 deaths in women (a quarter of all deaths) aged under 75 years annually. Heart disease and stroke can often be prevented. Circulatory diseases were highlighted as a national priority area in the Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation white paper and the Department's Public Service Agreement. The target is to reduce the death rate in people aged under 75 years by at least 20% by 2010.

Thresholds

Legend
Band 1 - poor	Value below 99.9% lower limit of expected distribution
Band 2	Value between 99.9% and 97.5% lower limits of expected distribution
Band 3	Value within the central 95% probability limits of expected distribution
Band 4	Value between 99.9% and 97.5% higher limits of expected distribution
Band 5 - good	Value above higher 99.9% limit of expected distribution