Women in the poorest parts of England die earlier than the average woman in almost every comparable country in the world, according to a horrific analysis of life expectancy data, which lawmakers and leading health experts called “shocking”, “devastating” and “unacceptable”. “. “.
Millions of women living in the poorest areas of England can expect to live 78.7 years, almost eight years less than those living in the richest areas of England, the Health Foundation found. This is worse than the average life expectancy of women in every OECD country in the world except Mexico.
The rigorous analysis seen by the Guardian also reveals that the average life expectancy for all women in England and the United Kingdom is lower than the global OECD average. The United Kingdom ranks 25th out of 38 OECD countries when it comes to the years a woman can expect to live.
Ministers have repeatedly pledged to tackle decades of gender inequality and pledged to “reset the dial” on women’s health as part of their equalization program. However, experts say the findings show that the government has a “mountain to climb” and that a “fundamental change” in policy is urgently needed to enable women to enjoy longer and healthier lives.
“The government is committed to tackling life expectancy, and this has been described as a key part of the equalization program,” said Joe Bibi, health director of the Health Foundation. “However, so far he has not been able to recognize the mountain he has to climb to bring the chances of living in the UK in line with other comparable countries.
Women living in the 10% most needy parts of England have lower life expectancies than the average woman in countries such as Colombia (79.8 years), Latvia (79.7 years) and Hungary (79.6 years) , according to a new study. Globally, Mexico alone has a lower life expectancy (77.9 years) than women in the poorest parts of England.
Life expectancy chart
The analysis also reveals the true scale of health inequalities in England. Life expectancy for women in the poorest areas is well below the UK average of 83.1, the UK average of 83.2 and the OECD average of 83.4, the analysis shows.
Some of the most needy areas in England include the local authorities of Blackpool, Knowsley, Middlesbrough and Liverpool. The least protected areas include Hart, Hampshire, Chiltern and Rutland.
The difference in life expectancy between women in the richest and poorest areas is 7.7 years. Women in England’s 10% of the most disadvantaged areas live an average of 86.4 years – higher than the total life expectancy of women in every OECD country except Japan, which has the highest rate for all OECD countries – 87.3 years.
“When OECD countries are ranked by life expectancy, the United Kingdom is in 25th place – a somewhat disappointing performance for the world’s fifth largest economy,” Bibi said. “However, an even more disturbing picture emerges when we look at the difference between rich and poor. The harsh reality … is that the poorest can expect to live shorter and less healthy lives than their richer counterparts. “
England is not a member of the OECD, like the United Kingdom, but the Health Foundation compares life expectancy for 2018 in England – as well as in the United Kingdom – with other OECD countries. He did not explore Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The cost of living crisis is likely to further widen the gap between rich and poor, experts say. The pandemic has already hit the finances of millions of families, and rising prices will force a growing number of people to choose between choosing essentials that are vital to healthy living – such as heating and food – or sinking into debt.
Claire Bambra, a public health professor at the University of Newcastle who was not involved in the analysis, said he highlighted the “huge scale” of health inequalities in England, which are likely to worsen due to the very real health threats posed by rising is the cost of living.
Hannah Davis, head of health inequalities at the Northern Health Alliance, who was also not involved in the study, described the findings as “shocking”.
She added: “Inequality between the richest and the poorest in England is morally and economically unacceptable and the devastating impact they have on the poorest women is clearly shown here. If the government wants to achieve its healthy life expectancy goals, it cannot ignore deprivation in the UK and must invest in helping those most affected by the crisis with the cost of living through substantial, funded support.
Bibi said the government must focus on providing secure jobs, adequate income, decent housing and quality education to improve women’s health in the poorest areas, otherwise raising the level “will remain little more than a slogan “.
Anneliese Dodds, the shadow secretary of state for women and equality, said the “shocking figures” showed that women had failed the government. “Everywhere you look today, the tories are frustrating they make blacks, Asians and women from ethnic minorities at risk, ”she added.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was asked for comment.
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