UK healthy life expectancy drops by two years in past decade

United Kingdom — Ekhbary News Agency

The number of years people in the UK spend in good health is declining, a new report indicates. Over the past decade, healthy life expectancy (HLE) has dropped by around two years, now standing at just under 61 years for both men and women. The UK is among only five of the 21 wealthiest nations to experience a fall in HLE, with its decline being the second steepest.

Economic Costs and Contributing Factors

The Health Foundation, which conducted the analysis, stated that this trend carries a significant economic cost and that the findings should serve as a watershed moment. It identified poverty, poor housing, and lifestyle factors such as obesity as key contributors, alongside the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis, based on data from the Office for National Statistics between 2022-24 and 2012-2014, revealed that individuals in the wealthiest 10% of areas could expect approximately 20 more years of good health compared to those in the poorest areas. In England, Richmond in London reported the highest HLE rates (69 for men, 70 for women), contrasting sharply with Blackpool (51 for men) and Hartlepool (51 for women). London was the sole region to see an improvement in HLE during this period. In over 90% of areas, HLE has fallen below the state pension age of 66 or 67, and in one in ten areas, it is below 55.

Impact on Work Capacity and Global Comparison

The report highlighted a significant impact on individuals' ability to work, aligning with figures showing high numbers out of employment due to ill-health. A global comparison, using World Health Organization data, ranked the UK 20th out of 21 countries, with only the US having a population that lives fewer years in good health. HLE is the technical term for estimating how much of a lifetime is spent in good health, based on self-reported feelings and survey data, as well as mortality statistics. The Health Foundation asserted that the findings expose a stark decline in national health and should act as a wake-up call for policymakers. Andrew Mooney, the think tank's principal data analyst, noted, "The UK has the highest levels of obesity in western Europe and there has been a surge in mental ill health, especially among young people." He added that this has created "a significant economic cost, with poor health driving people out of the workforce and locking young people out of education, employment and training." In contrast, the analysis found that overall life expectancy has remained broadly stable. Dr Layla McCay, policy director at the NHS Alliance, commented, "The figures are a stark reminder of how deeply health inequalities are affecting people's lives, with too many communities in deprived areas spending more years in poor health. Our members have been clear that the answer has to be prevention first - tackling the wider determinants of health, strengthening community-based care and improving access to support closer to home."