Restigouche area of northern N.B. has highest rate of avoidable deaths, council finds | CBC News

The Restigouche area of northern New Brunswick, including Campbellton, Dalhousie, and Belledune, has the highest rate of avoidable deaths in the province, according to a New Brunswick Health Council report. The report highlights that from 2019 to 2022, the region experienced an average of 272.5 avoidable deaths per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the provincial average of 202.5. The causes of death include lung cancer, heart disease, and notably, suicide, which is the fourth highest avoidable cause of death in the region. The report emphasizes the need for improved access to mental health services and highlights economic challenges as contributing factors.