Early death rates high in Midlands cities
People living in the West Midlands are more likely to die prematurely compared to many other UK cities, according to a latest report.
Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall all registered in the 40 worst areas for early deaths in the UK.
However, Solihull – which is sandwiched between Coventry and Birmingham, registered as one of the best, with an overall rating of 25 out of 150.
Ratings out of 150:
Birmingham: 120
Sandwell: 136
Walsall: 111
Wolverhampton: 125
Coventry: 126
Stoke-on-Trent: 138
Cities in the East Midlands didn't fare much better with Nottingham ranked 141.
The results take in to account cancer, strokes, lung, liver and heart disease, and socioeconomic deprivation.
Nottingham: 141
Derby: 101
Leicester: 135
Peterborough: 87
The national league table of premature death rates published today ranks local authorities using a traffic light system, ranging from red for the worst areas to green for the best.
There is a clear north/south divide in the statistics, which show the number of people under the age of 75 who died over a two-year period.