health
People in UK spend fewer years in good health than a decade ago, study finds
Exclusive: Health Foundation says Britain is ‘going backwards’ compared with most other rich countries
TL;DR
- UK's healthy life expectancy has declined over the past decade, while most other rich countries have seen improvements.
- Healthy life expectancy for men fell from 62.9 years (2012-14) to 60.7 years (2022-24), and for women from 63.7 to 60.9 years.
- The proportion of life spent in good health decreased from 79% to 77% for men and 77% to 73% for women.
- Factors contributing to the decline include obesity, surging mental ill health, chronic conditions, and health inequalities.
- The UK ranks poorly internationally, being one of only five countries with a declining healthy life expectancy.
- This deterioration contributes to a record number of people being too sick to work and affects young people's education and employment.
- The Department of Health and Social Care called the decline a "disgrace" and pointed to government measures like smoking bans and junk food advertising restrictions.
- Experts emphasize the need for a new approach to tackle the root causes of poor health, not just treat the NHS.