Deaths that could be avoided through better healthcare and heather lifestyles remain too high, it has been warned, as official figures show more than 100,000 people are dying needlessly each year.
Diseases such as heart disease, some cancers, infections and respiratory conditions currently account for 23 per cent of all deaths registered in England and Wales. A decade ago they accounted for 25 per cent of deaths.
The figures show that even though these conditions can be prevented through access to good healthcare along with public health measures such as vaccination and anti-smoking campaigns, these avoidable deaths remain high.
The report, released by the Office of National Statistics, said the biggest drop has been in cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, due to statins, surgery and reductions in smoking rates.
Taken together, cancers are now the biggest cause of avoidable death and there has been no significant drop in death rates since 2009, the report said.
Other causes of death considered avoidable that are included in the report are infections, such as TB and HIV, respiratory diseases such as flu and pneumonia, traffic accidents, suicide, birth defects, diabetes, and alcohol-related diseases, among others.
Deaths were higher in the North of England and Wales compared with the South and East of England.
Luciana Berger, Shadow Public Health Minister, said: “Progress has been far too slow in the last decade and, when it comes to cancer, it is truly shocking that it has stalled entirely in the last five years.
“If we’re going to achieve progress more quickly, we need to tackle tobacco and the obesity challenge. But this Government is neglecting its public health responsibilities.”
The leading single cause of death in men was heart disease, accounting for 22 per cent of deaths in men and the leading single cause of avoidable death in women was lung cancer, accounting for 15 per cent of deaths.
Professor John Newton, Chief Knowledge Officer at Public Health England, said: “This data shows that the decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease is the result of both good quality care and prevention.
"We need to see the same results for cancer deaths by making sure we look for every opportunity to prevent cancer, diagnosing it early and treating it most effectively in every case.”
Matt Wickenden, Cancer Research UK’s senior statistical information officer, said: “These figures are further evidence that sadly too many people are dying of cancers that could be prevented, which is why Cancer Research UK is investing in research to help prevent some cancers developing in the first place.
"By far the biggest risk factor for cancer is smoking, which causes almost a fifth of all cases at the same time as increasing the risk of many other diseases.
“We also need to improve awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer and urge people – especially those at increased risk – to go to their doctor without delay if they spot any symptoms.
"But the good news is cancer survival has doubled in the last 40 years, with half of all people diagnosed surviving at least 10 years. The earlier we spot cancer, the better the chances of beating the disease.”
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Coronary heart disease continues to scar the lives of millions of people and their families.
“Last year governments in England and Wales published new strategies for tackling heart disease. If we want to stop lives being needlessly lost it is vital that health commissioners and local authorities implement these plans with the drive this issue demands.”