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Socio-Economic Influences on Mortality: A Comparative Study of Essex and Suffolk
Lucy Bridle-Thorne RSciTech MAAPT presented an interesting abstract at the Annual Educational Event 2025 in Bristol
Introduction
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), formed through a merger in 2018, operates across two distinct counties with varying demographic profiles. Lucy has conducted an in-depth analysis to explore how socio-economic differences between rural Suffolk and the mixed urban-rural North-East Essex—where Colchester serves as a significant garrison town with links to London—may influence causes of death. This study aims to provide insights into regional health disparities and their implications.
Data and Methodology
The research draws on reports extracted from Eden at both Colchester and Ipswich sites, covering causes of death from 01.01.2024 to 31.01.2025, despite minor data quality issues at one location.
Socio-economic data is sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for East Suffolk, Colchester, and Tendring, supplemented by the NHS 5 Year Plan (2019-2024) for context. The study was inspired by a presentation at AEE 2024 in Glasgow on drug-related deaths in Scotland, prompting an examination of post-pandemic service access, changes observed in the post-mortem (PM) room, and the impact of PM activities on healthcare access for local demographics.
Key Findings
In Essex, leading causes of death include Hypertensive Heart Disease, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Left Ventricular Failure, Congestive Cardiac Failure, and Metastatic Lung Cancer. These align with socio-economic profiles from the 2021 census, particularly the prevalence of lung cancer, which correlates with reduced quality of life and limited access to diagnostic or treatment centers due to geographic and service constraints. Population growth is further straining resources, potentially influencing future mortality trends.
In Suffolk, mortality is dominated by Frailty of Old Age, Frailty, Dementia, Congestive Cardiac Failure, and Metastatic Prostate and Breast Cancer, reflecting its aging demographic as supported by ONS data. Health Index values suggest that limited access to services, particularly in coastal areas, and lifestyle factors—such as restricted access to leisure facilities—may contribute. The prevalence of metastatic cancer is also linked to post-COVID service disruptions.
Future Implications
The study highlights evolving socio-economic and demographic shifts, including population growth and retirement trends in Suffolk, alongside potential transport-related growth in Colchester and Tendring. Traditional industrial diseases are declining, with modern lifestyle factors like vaping emerging as potential new risks. The 2025-26 NHS England Operational Planning Paper underscores the need for ongoing monitoring, with a recommendation to reassess these trends in five years.
Conclusion
This analysis underscores the significant role of socio-economic factors in shaping mortality patterns across Essex and Suffolk. Addressing service access and population health challenges will be critical for future planning