CONCERNS have been raised after a new report revealed more than one in five deaths locally are avoidable.

An avoidable death is one which could have been prevented using either healthcare or public health interventions, including those caused by drug abuse, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Figures from the National Records of Scotland show that more than a quarter of deaths in Renfrewshire last year were avoidable, with almost 600 out of 2,043 deaths in total being deemed as preventable.

That rate was higher than in neighbouring East Renfrewshire, where 21 per cent of all deaths could have been stopped last year – the lowest rate in the whole of Scotland.

Almost 200 out of 933 deaths in the area were classed as avoidable.

Experts have pointed to social deprivation being the cause of most avoidable deaths, with access to fast food, alcohol and tobacco usually being easier in poorer areas.

Dr Andrew Fraser, from NHS Health Scotland, said: “We know people in poorer areas experience more harm from alcohol, tobacco and being overweight or obese and we must address these.

“However, these are common factors, co-existing in communities, groups and individuals, and so we must also address the environment we live in.”

The data also suggests more men are dying from avoidable causes than women, with 35 per cent of all male deaths in Renfrewshire and 27 per cent in East Renfrewshire being preventable.

A total of 22 per cent of female deaths in Renfrewshire were avoidable, while 16 per cent in East Renfrewshire could have been prevented.

Across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, 30 per cent of all deaths last year were avoidable.