This is the tenth edition in the Key Health Data for the West Midlands series. The report is compiled by the Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit at the University of Birmingham. The report is a collaborative project between West Midlands Public Health Observatory, Health Protection Agency (West Midlands), West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit, Sandwell Primary Care Trust, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Regional Children’s Tumour Registry, NHS West Midlands, Department of Health (West Midlands) and the West Midlands Commissioning Business Support Agency.

Contemporary Public Health employs a wide definition of health. Key Health Data reflects this spectrum, we try not only to report measurable mortality and morbidity but also the social and economic impacts that affect a person’s well being.

Our philosophy remains to signpost reliable health, health care, environmental and social information and highlight the variation across the West Midlands. Its purpose is not to determine the cause or to provide ‘league tables’ of ill-health but rather to promote the widest possible debate and to encourage active collaboration.

The content this year builds on previous Key Health Data reports. The CD-ROM enclosed includes past Key Health Data reports, associated data as well as extra material we were not able to include in the reports.

The report can also be downloaded from our website:
 
www.pcpoh.bham.ac.uk/publichealth/publications/key_health_data/index.html

We thank those who have contributed and helped with its production, and trust that is provides valuable information for those concerned with health and health care in the West Midlands. We welcome any comments you may have.

Prof. Andrew Stevens
Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
University of Birmingham