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Life expectancy: Parts of England and Wales see “shocking” fall

BMJ 2022; 377 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1056 (Published 26 April 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;377:o1056
  1. Jacqui Wise
  1. Kent

Data showing greater falls in life expectancy in the poorest areas of England than in the wealthiest have led to questions over whether the government’s levelling-up agenda is achievable without a fundamental shift in approach.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics show that men born in the poorest areas of the country are now expected to live almost 10 years less (73.5 years in the period 2018 to 2020) than those in the richest areas (83.2 years), and women eight years less (78.3 versus 86.3).

There were “statistically significant” decreases in male and female life expectancy in the most deprived areas when compared with the period 2015 to 2017, said the ONS.

The figures also show that in the most deprived areas people are living more of their life in ill health. Girls born in the poorest areas of England live 19 years less in good health than those born in the wealthiest …

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