In July 2018 the BBC Shared Data Unit reported people living in the poorest parts of the UK were more likely to die prematurely.
Our analysis revealed the mortality rate from avoidable causes was more than three times higher in some of the most deprived parts of the country than the most affluent.
We found a strong correlation between deprivation and the number of people dying prematurely.
This piece of content was produced by local newspaper journalists working alongside BBC staff.
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:
- The i: More people in the north of England die prematurely from avoidable causes than in the south 19 July 2018
- ITV News: Manchester, Blackpool and Liverpool among the worst places for avoidable deaths 19 July 2018
- Hull Daily Mail: Hull has had the biggest increase in deaths than anywhere else in the UK 19 July 2018
- Lancashire Post: Preston named in top 20% of places where people die 'too early' 19 July 2018
- Scotland: The Herald: Avoidable deaths on Western Isles much higher than Shetland or Orkney 19 July 2018
- Belfast Live: Belfast's poor suffer most avoidable deaths in the UK 19 July 2018
- Stourbridge News: Stats reveal early death rates in Dudley borough 19 July 2018
- Rochdale Online: Rochdale one of the worst areas in England for premature deaths 19 July 2018
- Halesowen News: Stats reveal early death rates in Dudley borough 19 July 2018
- 2BR radio Lancashire: Northerners more likely to die prematurely 19 July 2018
- Dudley News: Stats reveal early death rates in Dudley borough 19 July 2018
- Portsmouth: The News: Portsmouth and Gosport named in top 20 for men dying prematurely 19 July 2018
- Swindon Advertiser: REVEALED: 1,200 avoidable deaths in Swindon since 2014 19 July 2018
- Stroud News & Journal: Nearly 700 deaths in Stroud over two years were avoidable 19 July 2018
- Blackpool Gazette: How do we end shame of needless deaths? 19 July 2018
- Birmingham Eastside: Avoidable death 32% higher in the West Midlands’ most deprived cities 19 July 2018
- Droitwich Spa Advertiser: Worcestershire's death rate from avoidable causes is revealed 19 July 2018
- Bromsgrove Advertiser: http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/16366873.stats-reveal-early-death-rates-in-bromsgrove/ 19 July 2018
- Malvern Gazette: Worcestershire's death rate from avoidable causes is revealed 19 July 2018
- Hereford Times: Worcestershire's death rate from avoidable causes is revealed 19 July 2018
- Worcester News: Worcestershire's death rate from avoidable causes is revealed 19 July 2018
- Scotland: The Times: Action urged as number of avoidable deaths rises 20 July 2018
- Derry Journal: Derry has one of highest premature death rates 20 July 2018
- The Scotsman: Scotland tops UK’s unavoidable death rate list 20 July 2018
- The Kidderminster Shuttle: Stats reveal early death rates in Wyre Forest 20 July 2018
- Redditch & Alcester Advertiser: Stats reveal early death rates in Redditch 20 July 2018
- Birmingham Mail: Baggies fan sheds nine stone after he almost got stuck in turnstile 21 July 2018
- Liverpool Echo: People are dying years younger than they should in Liverpool - because of the poverty they face 22 July 2018
- Lancashire: The Visitor: Lancashire’s ‘early deaths’ ratings highlight north-south divide 23 July 2018
- Halstead Gazette: Tendring men at more risk of dying early, says BBC study 23 July 2018
- Johnstone and Renfrewshire: The Gazette: Report reveals one in five deaths locally are avoidable 25 July 2018
The story was also used for a feature by BBC Manchester, BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Scotland, Good Morning Ulster, BBC Radio Humberside and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
Get the data
- Avoidable death rates data
- A correlation analysis was done by Carmen Aguilar Garcia using R. Further correlation analysis and funnel plot was done for the West Midlands
