Millions of women living in the poorest parts of England can expect to live 78.7 years, almost eight years shorter than those living in the richest parts of England, the Health Foundation has found. It is worse than the average life expectancy for women in every one of the OECD countries in the world except Mexico. The harsh analysis, seen by the Guardian, also reveals that the average life expectancy for all women across England and the United Kingdom is lower than the OECD global average. The United Kingdom ranks 25th out of 38 OECD countries in terms of the number of years a woman can expect to live. Ministers have repeatedly promised to address decades of gender inequality and pledged to “restore the table” for women’s health as part of their leveling agenda. However, experts say the findings show that the government has a “mountain to climb”, with a “fundamental change” in policy urgently needed to enable women to enjoy a longer, healthier life. “The government is committed to addressing stagnant life expectancy and this has been described as a key part of the leveling agenda,” said Jo Bibby, director of health at the Health Foundation. “However, so far it has failed to recognize the mountain that needs to be climbed to align life opportunities in the UK with other comparable countries.” Women living in 10% of England’s most deprived areas have a lower life expectancy than the average woman in countries such as Colombia (79.8 years), Latvia (79.7 years) and Hungary (79.6 years) , according to the new study. Globally, only Mexico has a lower overall 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 poorer areas is well below the UK average (83.1), the UK average of 83.2 and the OECD average of 83.4, the analysis shows. Some of the most degraded areas in England include the local authorities of Blackpool, Knowles, Middlesbrough and Liverpool. Less degraded areas include Hart, Hampshire, Childern and Rutland. The life expectancy gap between women in richer and poorer areas is 7.7 years. Women in the less disadvantaged areas of 10% in England live an average of 86.4 years – higher than the overall life expectancy of women in any OECD country except Japan, which has the highest standard of living for all countries. OECD with 87.3 years. “When OECD countries are ranked in terms of life expectancy, the UK comes in 25th place – a somewhat disappointing display for the world’s fifth largest economy,” Bibby said. “However, an even more disturbing picture emerges when we look at the gap between rich and poor. “The harsh reality ότι is that the poorer 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 has compared life expectancy for 2018 in the UK – as well as in the UK – with other OECD countries. He did not look at Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The cost-of-living crisis is likely to widen the gap between rich and poor, experts say. The pandemic has already hit the economies of millions of families, and rising prices will force more and more people to choose between the lack of basic commodities that are vital to a healthy life – such as heating and food – or debt. Clare Bambra, a public health professor at the University of Newcastle who did not participate in the analysis, said she highlighted the “large scale” of health inequalities in England, which “is likely to be exacerbated by very real health created by rising cost of living “. Hannah Davies, who leads health inequality at the North Health Science Alliance, who also did not take part in the study, described the findings as “shocking”. He added: “Inequalities between the richest and the poorest in England are morally and economically unacceptable and the devastating impact they have on the poorest women is clear here. “If the government wants to achieve its goals of a healthy life expectancy, it cannot ignore deprivation in the UK and must invest in helping those most affected by the cost of living crisis through substantial, funded support.” Bibi said the government should focus on providing secure jobs, adequate incomes, decent housing and quality education to improve women’s health in poorer areas, otherwise rising levels “will remain more than a slogan”. Anneliese Dodds, the shadow foreign minister for women and equality, said the “shocking evidence” showed that women were failing in government. “Everywhere you look today, the tide of protectionist sentiment is flowing. “treatment that puts black, Asian and minority ethnic women at risk.” The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has contacted for comments.
