Healthy living as we get older
North Somerset has a larger proportion
of older people than the UK as a whole. Of a total population of 210,000,
20.3% are over 65. The average nationally is 16.5%. It is a public health
ambition to increase healthy life expectancy. There are a number of strategies that
define how we intend to do this.
(council site links)
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What the needs are of older people in North Somerset and how these are being addressed
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The Early Intervention and Prevention Strategy aims to increase health and well being and independence for adults and older people
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Health walks – under the hour across the district
Keeping Warm and WellMore people die during the winter than the summer months and the term to describe this is called ‘excess winter deaths’. Excess winter deaths are calculated by comparing deaths in December to March, with non winter months from the preceding August to November and the following April to July. This is expressed as a percentage. Information on excess winter deaths is important in tackling certain premature deaths and supporting energy efficient interventions in housing. The latest data (2006-9) shows that in North Somerset, deaths in the winter months were 20% higher than the rest of the year, compared to 18.5% in the South West and 18.1% in England. Excess winter deaths are highest amongst those aged 85+ and are higher in North Somerset though not significantly higher than South West or England as a whole. The three underlying causes of death due to winter cold are influenza and pneumonia, respiratory disease and chronic lower respiratory disease.
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Other Links
www.ageuk.org.uk
www.stroke.org.uk
www.bhfactive.org.uk
