Portsmouth deaths – JSNA report

On this page you will find a summary of data on deaths in Portsmouth. You can view the full interactive data report here.

• Number of deaths in Portsmouth
• Causes of death
• Leading causes of deaths
• Leading causes of deaths – Portsmouth compared to England

There were 1,808 Portsmouth resident deaths registered in 2023.

The number of deaths each year has remained similar since 2013, except for a significant increase in 2021 due to Covid-19 related deaths.

All age, all-cause mortality

All-cause mortality is a measure of the health status of a population. It represents:

• the effect of the prevalence of risk factors,
• prevalence and severity of disease,
• and the effectiveness of interventions and treatment.

Impact of Covid-19: Increased death rates in 2020–2021 locally and nationally.

2023 (latest year) rates:

• Males (Portsmouth): significantly worse than England and the South East; similar to Southampton.
• Females (Portsmouth): significantly worse than the South East; similar to England and Southampton.

Trend: Rates peaked in 2021, dropped in 2022, then rose slightly for males in 2023; female rates remained relatively stable. Broadly, 2023 aligns with the decade-long pattern.

Premature all-cause mortality

Premature mortality in England is considered as deaths aged under 75 years.

Premature mortality is a good indicator of the overall health of a population. It correlates with many other measures of population health.

There are significant differences between the premature death rates in different areas. This shows a wide range of underlying differences between these populations.

To ensure that the premature mortality rate and the inequalities between areas are reduced, there needs to be action in both prevention and treatment.

In 2023, the premature mortality rate from all causes in Portsmouth:

• Males (under 75 years): 494.8 per 100,000 population – significantly worse than England (420.1) and South East (363.1), similar to Southampton (492.1).
• Females (under 75 years): 279.5 per 100,000 population – significantly worse than South East (232.1), similar to England (267.4) and Southampton (323.4).

For small areas within Portsmouth, there is variation in premature mortality for all causes in 2019-23:

• MSOAs with standardised mortality ratio (SMR) almost twice the England average: Buckland & North Landport, Somerstown, Portsea, South Landport (Fratton West), Paulsgrove East.
• MSOAs with SMR nearly 1.5 times the England average: Southsea Waverley Road, Wymering, Queen’s (Fratton North), Fratton Kingston, Stamshaw (North End West & Whale Island), Palmerston (Southsea West).

All the above MSOAs have significantly higher premature all-cause mortality than the England average.

You can view the interactive report sub-city pages for more details.

Premature deaths from preventable diseases

One aspect of premature deaths are diseases considered preventable:

“preventable mortality is… all or most deaths from the underlying cause could… be avoided through effective public health and primary prevention interventions. Preventable mortality…  is not the same as ‘treatable’ mortality, which includes causes of deaths which could potentially be avoided through effective healthcare interventions, including secondary prevention and treatment.”

In 2023, the premature mortality rate from causes considered preventable in Portsmouth was:

• For males: Significantly worse than both England and the South East region, but not significantly different from Southampton.
• For females: Significantly worse than the South East region, but not significantly different from England or Southampton.

In 2021-23, Portsmouth’s male premature mortality rates from diseases considered preventable were significantly higher (worse) than England for three of the four major cause groups:

• Premature mortality from cancer considered preventable
• Premature mortality from respiratory disease considered preventable
• Premature mortality from liver disease considered preventable

In 2021-23, Portsmouth’s female premature mortality rates from diseases considered preventable were significantly higher (worse) than England for one of the four major cause groups:

• Premature mortality from respiratory disease considered preventable

You can view more on the preventable mortality page of the interactive data report.

The leading cause of death for Portsmouth residents in 2023 for people of all ages was:

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (214 deaths; 13% of all deaths) — leading cause since 2015, except 2021 (Covid-19).

The leading cause death in 2023 for Portsmouth males of all ages:

• Coronary heart disease (126 deaths; 14% of all male deaths) — leading cause for males since 2014, except 2021 (Covid-19).

The leading cause death in 2023 for Portsmouth females of all ages:

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (139 deaths; 17% of all female deaths) — leading cause for females since 2014, except 2021 (Covid-19).

The leading cause of death usually depends on age and sex.

For aged 85 years and over:

• For both males and females in Portsmouth, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease was the leading cause of death in aged 85 and over years from 2014 to 2023, except for males in 2021 when Covid-19 was the leading cause.

For aged 75-84 years:

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease was also the leading cause of death for females aged 75-84 years, each year from 2014 to 2023, except in 2021 when Covid-19 was the leading cause.
• For males aged 75-84 years, coronary heart disease was the leading cause of death for six of the ten years between 2014-2023 (most recently in 2023). In 2021, Covid-19 was the leading cause of death for Portsmouth males aged 75-84 years.

For aged 65-74 years:

• For females, the leading cause in 2023 was Chronic lower respiratory diseases.
• For males, coronary heart disease and Lung cancer were both leading causes.

For aged 50-64 years:

• For females, the leading cause in 2023 was Lung cancer.
• For males, coronary heart disease was the leading cause each year from 2014 to 2023, except in 2021 (Covid-19) and 2015 (lung cancer).

About the data

The figures in this section are based on the year the death occurred, and include registrations made up to six months into the following year. Most deaths are registered soon after they happen, but some—especially those involving accidents or where a coroner is involved—can take much longer, sometimes months or even years.

Including an extra six months of registrations helps capture most delayed cases, but some causes of death may still be undercounted because of these delays. This is particularly true for:

• Accidents
• Suicide and injury/poisoning of undetermined intent

Sometimes the year of registration is used instead of the year of death to account for registration delays, which is what was used for ages 20-49 years.

For aged 20-49 years (based on year of registration):

• 2023 (the latest year): For both males and females, the leading cause of death was Accidents, followed by Suicide and injury/poisoning of undetermined intent.
• 2022: For males, the leading cause of death was Suicide and injury/poisoning of undetermined intent, while for females it was breast cancer.

Cancer (see the Cancer mortality page via the interactive report for more detail)

Cancer is amongst the major causes of death in Portsmouth and England.

In 2023, premature mortality (aged under 75 years) from cancer in Portsmouth was significantly worse for males compared to England and the South East, but similar to Southampton. For females, rates were similar to England, the South East, and Southampton.

In 2021 to 2023:

• Portsmouth’s male premature mortality rate from colorectal cancerand lung cancer was significantly higher (worse) than England.
• Portsmouth’s female premature mortality rate from lung cancerwas significantly higher (worse) than England.
• Portsmouth’s mortality rate from lung cancerand oral cancer (2020-22) for both males and females of all ages was significantly higher (worse) than England.

Premature mortality from cancer (under 75 years) by 2021 middle super output areas (MSOAs), 2019–2023 (five-years pooled):

• Significantly higher than England (and nearly twice the England standardised mortality ratio (SMR)):
  • Buckland & North Landport
  • Paulsgrove East
  • Wymering
• Over 1.5 times the England SMR (but not statistically significant):
  • South Landport (Fratton West)
  • Somerstown

Circulatory disease (see the Circulatory disease mortality page via the interactive report for more detail)

Circulatory disease remains one of the major causes of death in Portsmouth and England.

• In 2023, the Portsmouth premature mortality rate (under 75 years) from circulatory disease:
  • Males: Significantly higher than England and the South East; similar to Southampton.
    Trend: Increased in 2023 but stable since 2014.
  • Females: Similar to England, the South East, and Southampton.
    Trend: Decreased in 2023 but largely stable since 2008.
• In 2023, the all-age mortality rate from circulatory disease in Portsmouth:
  • Both males and females: Significantly higher than England and the South East; similar to Southampton.
  • Male rates remain significantly higher than female rates.

Stroke and coronary heart disease

Two of the leading causes of death from circulatory disease are stroke and coronary heart disease.

• From 2021–23:
  • Portsmouth’s premature mortality rate (under 75 years) from stroke for both sexes was similar to England.
  • Portsmouth’s premature mortality rate (under 75 years) from coronary heart disease:
    • Male rate in Portsmouth rose compared to 2020–22, but the change was not statistically significant; there remains no significant difference between Portsmouth males and England males.
    • Female rate remained similar to England but was significantly lower than Southampton for the first time since 2001–03.

Geographical variation (MSOAs)

• Premature mortality (under 75 years) from circulatory disease (2019–23, five years pooled):
  Statistically significantly worse (higher) than England in:
  Portsea; Somerstown; South Landport (Fratton West); Buckland & North Landport; Stamshaw (North End West & Whale Island); Southsea Waverley Road; Paulsgrove East; and Fratton Kingston MSOAs.
• All-age mortality from coronary heart disease (2019–23, five years pooled):
  Statistically significantly worse (higher) than England in:
  Portsea; Stamshaw (North End West & Whale Island); Somerstown; Buckland & North Landport; South Landport (Fratton West); Queen’s (Fratton North) MSOAs.

COVID-19 (see the Covid-19 mortality page via the interactive report for more detail)

• 2020–2021: Covid-19 was the leading cause of death in Portsmouth and England. Portsmouth had significantly higher mortality rates than England in 2021 for both sexes.
• 2022: Mortality rates in Portsmouth became similar to England for all ages and those under 75 years.
• 2023 (latest year): Mortality due to and involving Covid-19 decreased for all ages and both sexes; rates were not statistically different from England. Only 4 deaths (under 75 years) were due to Covid-19 and 8 deaths involved Covid-19, so no reliable rate was calculated.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (see the dementia and Alzheimer’s disease mortality page via the interactive report for more detail)

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease remains a leading cause of death in Portsmouth and England.

• 2023 (latest year):
  • The mortality rate from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease for both sexes in Portsmouth was not significantly different from England, the South East, or Southampton.
  • The last time Portsmouth had significantly higher rates than England: 2018 (females) and 2016 (males).

Liver disease (see the liver disease mortality page via the interactive report for more detail)

Liver disease is one of the top causes of death in England. Most liver disease is preventable and is often influenced by drinking alcohol and obesity, which can both be affected by public health interventions.

• 2023 (latest year):
  • Premature mortality (under 75 years) from liver disease in Portsmouth was similar to England and Southampton, but significantly worse than the South East.
  • Premature mortality lower than 2022, but not significantly.
• 2021–23:
  • Male rates significantly higher than England and South East, similar to Southampton; rising since 2018–20 (not significantly).
• Nationally, premature mortality from liver disease increased significantly in 2020 and has remained similar to the 2020 rate since for both sexes.

Respiratory disease (see the respiratory disease mortality page via the interactive report for more detail)

Respiratory disease is amongst the major causes of death in Portsmouth and England.

• 2023 (latest year):
  • Premature (under 75 years) mortality rate from respiratory disease: Portsmouth rates for both sexes were higher than England and the South East, but lower than Southampton—none of these differences were statistically significant.
  • All-age mortality rate from respiratory disease:
    • Males: Portsmouth significantly worse than England and South East, similar to Southampton.
    • Females: Portsmouth not significantly different from England, South East, or Southampton.
• 2021–23 pooled:
  • Premature mortality for males significantly higher than England and South East.
  • All-age mortality for males significantly higher than females and higher than England.

Smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a leading respiratory disease cause of death.

• In 2021-23, the Portsmouth COPD mortality rate for all ages was higher than previous period (but not statistically significant).
• The Portsmouth rate remains significantly higher than England and South East; similar to Southampton.
• Portsmouth Males: Among the highest in the country;
• Portsmouth Females: also significantly higher than England.

Influenza and pneumonia:

Influenza and pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death from respiratory disease.

In 2021-23:

• the mortality rate from influenza and pneumonia (the underlying cause of death) for Portsmouth was similar to England for both sexes
• The Portsmouth male rate stable since 2009-11; female rate slightly higher than 2020–22 (not statistically significant).
• the mortality rate for deaths involving influenza and pneumonia (the underlying cause of death or contributed to the death) for both sexes was significantly higher than England and the South East; but similar to Southampton.

Geographical variation:

• Between 2019–2023, MSOAs with significantly higher mortality rates from respiratory diseases (all ages) compared to England:
  Buckland & North Landport, Paulsgrove East, Portsea, Fratton Kingston, South Landport (Fratton West), Queen’s (Fratton North), Wymering, Southsea Waverley Road, Somerstown.

Other deaths including drug misuse, deaths attributable to fine particulate air pollution and accidental falls (see the Other mortality page for charts and tables)

Death rate from drug misuse (2021–23) for:

• Portsmouth males: Significantly higher than England, South East, and Southampton (first time in 20+ years).
• Portsmouth females: Significantly higher than England and South East; higher than Southampton (not significant).

Suicide and injury of undetermined intent mortality rate (2021–23):

• Portsmouth males:
  • 37 suicides (or deaths from injuries of undetermined intent).
  • Mortality rate slightly lower than England, South East, Southampton, and comparators, but not significantly.
  • Rate slightly higher than 2020–22, but not significantly.
• Portsmouth females:
  • 22 suicides (or deaths from injuries of undetermined intent).
  • The Portsmouth suicide and injury of undetermined intent mortality rate slightly higher than England, South East, and Southampton, but not significantly.
  • Rate increased compared to 2020–22 (not significantly), returning to levels seen in 2015–17 and 2017–19 after previous declines.
• Sex comparison up to 2021-23:
  • Male rate historically higher than female (2001–03 to 2017–19 and in 2019–21)

Accidents

• All-age mortality rate from accidents (2021–23): Portsmouth was significantly higher than South East; similar to England and Southampton.
• Premature mortality (under 75 years) from accidents:
  • Males: Significantly higher than England and South East.
  • Females: Significantly higher than South East; similar to England.

Air pollution

Poor air quality is a significant public health issue. There is strong evidence that air pollution causes the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and lung cancer, exacerbates asthma and has a contributory role in mortality.

• Deaths in Portsmouth attributable to fine particulate air pollution have been estimated to be higher than the England average between 2018 and 2022; but was estimated to be lower in the latest year (2023).
• The mortality rate for Portsmouth was estimated to have been highest in 2018 (9.12% of deaths attributable to fine particulate air pollution)
  • However, trends should be treated with caution because levels of pollution vary year-on-year due to the weather. Also, the methods are continually updated and improved.
• In the latest year (2023), there were 1,785 deaths registered aged 30 years and over. Based on the estimated 5.21% rate of deaths attributable to fine particulate air pollution, around 91 Portsmouth resident deaths in 2023 might be associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution at current levels.

Accidental falls

The mortality rate from accidental falls from all ages (2021–23) for:

• Portsmouth males: Significantly higher than South East; similar to England and Southampton.
• Portsmouth females: similar to England, the South East, and Southampton.
• Portsmouth male rate remains significantly higher than the Portsmouth female.