The Hidden Link Between Poor Health and Politics in the UK

Decades of deindustrialisation, the financial crisis, austerity, and the pandemic have taken a devastating toll on communities in the North East, Lincolnshire, east Kent, Essex, Barnsley, Hull, Rotherham, and other areas in England. These regions have seen a quiet bleed of life expectancy, with people in some areas expecting to live in good health only until their early fifties. The stagnation of life expectancy is particularly striking among 25- to 49-year-olds, who are more likely to die from "deaths of despair" such as suicide, drugs, accidents, or alcohol. This trend is closely linked to poverty, economic inactivity, and the collapse of local civic and social life. Meanwhile, trust in government and faith in improvement are at an all-time low, and people in these areas are among the least socially mobile populations in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

• Life expectancy in the UK has stalled since 2011, with an uptick in deaths among 25- to 49-year-olds, people of prime working age.
• Around 70 per cent of deaths among this age group are classified as "deaths of despair" – suicide, drugs, accidents, or alcohol.
• In some regions, people can expect to live in good health only until their early fifties.
• These areas have the lowest trust in government and the least faith in improvement.
• People in these regions are among the least socially mobile populations in the UK.
• Decades of deindustrialisation, the financial crisis, austerity, and the pandemic have contributed to the decline of local civic and social life.
• The government's £1.5bn plan for neighbourhoods, targeting 75 left-behind areas, displays welcome ambition and offers a chance for modest action to spark belief in the future.
• The upcoming 10-year plan is an opportunity to go further by integrating NHS services with housing, employment, mental health, and other services in neighbourhood health centres.

Statistics:

• Life expectancy in the UK has stalled since 2011.
• 70 per cent of deaths among 25- to 49-year-olds are classified as "deaths of despair".
• In some regions, people can expect to live in good health only until their early fifties.
• Around 75 areas will be targeted by the government's £1.5bn plan for neighbourhoods.
• 10-year plan an opportunity to integrate NHS services with housing, employment, mental health, and other services in neighbourhood health centres.

Sources:

• [London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine]
• [Health Foundation]
• [Research published by the Health Foundation based on research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine]
• [Polling data]
• [Writer's own experiences as chief executive of the Health Foundation think-tank]