Analysis by the Health Foundation reveals that while people in the UK are living longer, they are spending more years in poor health. Healthy life expectancy—the number of years a person enjoys good health—has declined, contrasting with improvements in other countries. The think tank urges ministers to prioritise health equally with economic growth and adopt a broader approach beyond the NHS.
Gender Gap in Healthy Life Expectancy
The findings show a steeper decline for women than men. Between 2012–14 and 2022–24, healthy life expectancy for males fell from 62.9 to 60.7 years, and for females from 63.7 to 60.9 years. The proportion of life spent in good health dropped from 79% to 77% for men and from 77% to 73% for women. This widening gap emerges just weeks after the government published its women's health plan, which promised to improve women's health and life expectancy.
Scepticism Over Government Strategy
The Nuffield Trust expressed doubt that the measures outlined in Labour's plan would reverse the trend. They noted that achieving the ambition would require improving healthy life expectancy for women in the most deprived areas by 12.8 years—a monumental task. While some actions, like promoting physical activity among women and girls, could help, the Trust stated there is no evidence these measures alone would turn the decline around. Their analysis concluded: "While some individual actions can reduce ill health and improve the health service experience for women, it seems unlikely the ambition to improve healthy life expectancy can be achieved."
Root Causes Remain Unaddressed
The usual drivers of poor health—deprivation, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and inadequate housing—are well-known. The 2010 Marmot Review highlighted the direct link between social inequalities and health outcomes. A decade later, a 2020 Health Foundation report warned that healthy life expectancy had already declined for women since 2010. The current analysis confirms that the situation has worsened, particularly for women.
Given that women represent over half the population, the government's cornerstone plan for women appears insufficient to change the trajectory. Without more robust action, the UK may continue to see healthy life expectancy fall, undermining broader health goals.
