Among men living in the UK but born in South Asia and Eastern Europe and among women living in the UK but born in South Asia there is a higher premature death rate from CHD than average. Data from 2003 show that the death rate among Bangladeshi men is 112% higher and the death rate among Pakistani women living in England is 146% higher than the average for England and Wales. Premature death rates from CHD for men born in the Caribbean and West Africa and for women born in Italy but living in the UK were lower than average.

Men living in England but born in Bangladesh had more than twice the chance of suffering premature death from stroke than those born in England and Wales.

The difference in the death rates between those born in South Asia and the general population increased in the 1970s and 1980s.   This is because the death rate from CHD was not falling as fast in South Asian groups as it was in the rest of the population.   From 1971 to 1991 the mortality rate for 20 to 69 year olds for the whole population fell by 29% for men and 17% for women whereas in people born in South Asia it fell by 20% for men and 7% for women.

Women born in Jamaica and living in England were 76% more likely to die prematurely from stroke than those born in England and Wales.