In The News

Death rate falls in Northern Ireland

Death rate falls in Northern Ireland

There was a fall in the number of deaths recorded in Northern Ireland last year compared with the previous year.

According to figures released by the N.I. Statistics Research Agency there were fewer deaths caused by illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. There was also a fall in the number of suicides.

The total number of deaths in 2009 was 14,413, that represented a fall of 494 compared with 2008.

There were falls in the total number of men and women who died, however, more women passed away compared to their male counterparts. Last year a total of 7,481 women died, compared with 7,680 in ’08. For men, the figures were 6,914 compared with 7,227.

However there was a slight rise in the number of infant deaths recorded last year. A total of 130 children under one year died, compared with 123 in ’08.

Overall, there were falls in the number of cancer and heart disease deaths. A total of 3,885 people died from cancer last year (3,971 in ’08), while heart disease claimed 2,305 victims (2,410 in ’08).

There was also a fall in the number of deaths attributed to respiratory disease: 2,017, which represented 79 fewer deaths than in 2008.

Deaths caused by the so-called superbugs, such as MRSA and C. Diff, were also down. 51 deaths were recorded as being caused by MRSA (84 in the previous year), while C. Diff was blamed for 125 deaths, 66 fewer than in 2008.

Suicide rates also fell last year. 260 suicides were record ed, compared with 282 the previous year.

 

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