Premature mortality in the UK is “persistently and significantly” below the mean of other European Union countries, according to analysis of British health data published this month.

The results have been published in medical journal The Lancet and compare the UK with the original 15 members of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Norway and the US.

It found the UK’s ranking against other nations for mortality in those aged 20-54 has “worsened substantially” over the past two decades and compared particularly poorly for breast cancer, ischaemic heart disease, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and tobacco related illness.

In response to the article health secretary Jeremy Hunt has vowed to tackle the “big five causes of death” – cancer, heart, stroke, respiratory and liver disease.

Specific strategies outlined today include: improving the public’s life-saving responses such as using CPR or defibrillators; testing family members of young cardiac arrest victims; ending disjointed treatment; promoting health checks; improving hospital care across the country; and better detection of cardiovascular risk factors.

Hunt said the proposals would bring better care, longer and healthier lives and better patient experience.

“Despite real progress in cutting deaths we remain a poor relative to our global cousins on many measures of health, something I want to change.”

Chief executive of the British Heart Foundation Peter Hollins said: “This is a valuable blueprint and the onus is now on commissioners and local authorities to deliver, ensuring that people with heart and circulatory disease receive the best possible care.”