People in UK spend fewer years in good health than a decade ago, study finds
Summary
People in the UK are spending fewer years in good health compared to ten years ago, according to a new study. While healthy life expectancy has increased slightly in most rich countries, it has fallen in the UK, meaning many people experience illness before reaching the state pension age.Key Facts
- Healthy life expectancy in UK men dropped from 62.9 years (2012-14) to 60.7 years (2022-24).
- For UK women, it fell from 63.7 years to 60.9 years in the same period.
- The proportion of life spent in good health decreased from 79% to 77% for men and 77% to 73% for women.
- Over 90% of the UK population begins suffering from illness before age 66 (state pension age).
- The UK is the only rich country among 21 analyzed where healthy life expectancy has declined, dropping from 14th to 20th place.
- Rising obesity, mental health issues, chronic illness, and deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide contribute to the decline.
- Overall life expectancy remains stable, showing that worsening health is not due to shorter lifespan but quality of life.
- The UK government plans to tackle health issues with new laws, including bans on junk food ads before 9pm and regulations on tobacco and vaping.
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