The table shows the death rate from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in groups of men and women in England and Scotland between 2001 and 2013 - Scottish Highers Human Biology - Question 10 - 2019

Another conclusion that can be drawn from the data is that women generally have lower death rates from CVD compared to men in both England and Scotland across the years examined.

The death rate from CVD in English men (324) compared to Scottish men (396) in 2013 can be expressed as a ratio:

$\frac{324}{396} = \frac{81}{99} = 9:11$

Thus, the ratio of English men to Scottish men is 9:11.

The data in the table allows for a valid comparison of deaths from CVD between England and Scotland because it presents the death rates per 100,000 individuals, standardizing the values and enabling a fair comparison despite differences in population sizes.

A double-blind design can be achieved by ensuring that neither the participants nor the researchers know which group the participants are in—either receiving the cholesterol-reducing drug or the placebo. This can be done through randomized assignment and blinding both parties to prevent bias.

The aspect that increased the reliability of the results is the use of a large sample size. A larger number of participants reduces the impact of outliers and enhances the statistical validity of the findings.

Having a lower LDL concentration in the blood decreases the risk of death from CVD because LDL cholesterol contributes to the formation of plaques in arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. This condition narrows the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, lower levels of LDL reduce the likelihood of such cardiovascular events.