health
The Guardian view on unhealthy Britain: from housing to junk food, there are solutions
People are living with sickness or disability younger than a decade ago. That should shock the country and prompt action
TL;DR
- Healthy life expectancy in Britain has declined for two consecutive years.
- Worsening mental health among younger adults is a primary driver of this decline.
- The UK now ranks 20th out of 21 high-income countries in healthy life expectancy, above only the US.
- By 2028, when the retirement age rises to 67, the average person will be in poor health for over six years before stopping work.
- Socioeconomic factors like insecure work and housing contribute to physical and mental illness.
- Geographical disparities exist, with steep declines in places like Blackpool and Hartlepool, while some London boroughs have seen improvements.
- The government is urged to address obesity and alcohol consumption, and to empower local authorities to act on health determinants.
- The decline in healthy life expectancy cannot be attributed solely to the pandemic.