Concern over premature deaths as millions die early Residents of Surrey and Sussex lose a combined 1,738 years of life per 100,000 people to otherwise treatable conditions, compared to 3,215 years of life lost in the northern city of Bradford, which has the highest rate of premature death. The area with the lowest rate of premature death is Surrey Downs, which covers affluent commuter towns such as Dorking, Leatherhead and Cobham. Here there are 1,414 years of life lost per 100,000 people. The average across England is 2,061 years lost per 100,000. Mr Hunt said: "There is a shocking variation in early and unnecessary deaths across the country which I am determined to start putting right as part of my ambition to save 30,000 lives a year by 2020. Local authorities have been given the power and budget to tackle the needs of their local population. In March this year Mr Hunt announced plans to cut premature deaths from cancer, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory and liver diseases which the Department of Health say kill more than 150,000 people under the age of 75 every year. The Department, along with NHS England and Public Health England, will publish an action plan later this year laying out how a cut in the number of premature deaths can be achieved. The HSCIC figures also showed a marked difference between the premature mortality rates of men and women, with men more likely to die young of a number of treatable conditions, including heart disease and gastric ulcers. Overall, men lose a combined 2,232 years of life per 100,000 compared to 1,891 years for per 100,000 women. Although the data is couched in terms of averages, the actual number of years lost by individuals who die prematurely is dramatic. As an example the HSCIC calculates that if a 50-year-old man dies due to influenza, a condition which is considered treatable up to the age of 75, he would be considered to have lost nearly 30 years of his life. The two biggest causes of early death across England are heart disease and cancer, making up around a third of all premature deaths. Mr Manning added: "This report provides an insight into premature deaths which is essential to those providing and planning health services across the country. It makes an important contribution to understanding differences in health outcomes across the country. The HSCIC points out that the figures do not take into account other factors that could also affect life expectancy, such as lifestyle and social-economic status.