UK has biggest slowdown in life expectancy rises amongst leading economies

Data from the Office of National Statistics has shown that life expectancy increases in the UK have stalled and that it has one of the biggest slowdown rates amongst 20 of the world’s leading economies.

The life expectancy increase for women was the lowest of the 20 nations, with only the US faring worse for men.

Throughout the last century, Britain experienced steady increases in life expectancy at birth, thanks to healthier habits, reduced smoking rates and improvements in treating infectious diseases. However, the progress has slowed down in recent years.

The analysis found that the slowdown was most pronounced in women, dropping by 90 per cent from 12.9 weeks per year from 2006 to 2011, to 1.2 weeks per year from 2011 to 2012. The rate for men was down 76 per cent from 17.3 to 4.2 weeks.

The analysis said that the fall in men was due partly to a significant increase in male life expectancy between 2001 and 2011.

Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Professor Martin McKee, said “It is not possible, with these data, to draw a conclusion about the reasons why the UK is performing so poorly.

“Our previous research has provided some pointers, suggesting the need to look in more detail at some consequences of austerity.

“What is in no doubt is the importance that the research needed to explain what we are now seeing is undertaken as soon as possible.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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