North-south divide in lifespan widens
Life expectancy in East Dunbartonshire is good, but in general Scots are dying earlier than the English
THE life-expectancy gap that sees Scots die earlier than the English has widened, despite people living longer in general, official figures have revealed.
Although life expectancy in Scotland has increased by almost three years for men and two years for women over the past decade, it still lags behind the most affluent parts of the UK. The gap within Scotland has also increased.
The Scottish have the lowest life expectancy of the UK nations, reaching the average age of 75.8 years for men and 80.4 years for women.
Statistics released by the Office for National Statistics and the Register General for Scotland disclosed that children born in the south of England statistically have a longer life ahead of them than those brought up in Scotland or the north of England.
A boy from Kensington and Chelsea in London can now expect to live for 13.5 years longer than his counterpart brought up in the Glasgow City Council area.
The gap between the two areas had increased by a year since 2004-6, when it stood at 12.5 years.
According to the data, the divide has widened even further for girls – by 1.7 years between 2004-6 and 2008-10.
Where previously a daughter born to parents in Kensington and Chelsea could expect to live 10.1 years longer than her Glaswegian counterpart, that figure now stands at 11.8 years.
On average across the UK, life expectancy at birth has gone up – from 77 years to 78.2 years for men and from 81.3 years to 82.3 years for women. Statistically, the English have a longer future ahead of them than those living in the rest of the UK – peaking at 78.6 years for men and 82.6 years for women.
In Scotland, the area with the healthiest life expectancy was East Dunbartonshire.
Males there can expect to live for 79.4 years, nearly eight years longer than in Glasgow City (71.6 years).
Females in East Dunbartonshire can expect to live for 82.7 years, nearly five years longer than in Glasgow City (78.0 years).
The gap between East Dunbartonshire and Glasgow has increased from 7.5 years for males in 1998-2000 to 7.8 years in 2008-10.
For females, it had increased from 4.3 years to 4.7 years over the same period.
The figures underlined the strong association between deprivation and low life expectancy.Males in the 10 per cent least deprived areas of Scotland can expect to live for 81.4 years, 13.2 years longer than males in the 10 per cent most deprived areas (68.2 years).
Females in the 10 per cent least deprived areas can expect to live for 84.6 years, nearly nine years longer than those in the 10 per cent most deprived areas (75.7 years).
Life expectancy at birth was highest for males in accessible rural areas (78.3 years), where they can expect to live nearly four years longer than males from large urban areas, who have a life expectancy at birth of 74.5 years.
Female life expectancy at birth was highest in remote rural areas (82.2 years), more than two years longer than in large urban areas, where it was lowest (79.8 years).
The “postcode” lottery of life expectancy caused concern among politicians and campaigners for the elderly.
Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “How long you live should not be determined by the postcode you are born in.
“It is a scandal that health inequality remains so stubbornly linked to income levels, poverty and deprivation.
“Poverty traps too many too early and remains too persistent to be tolerated in a country that aspires to brighter, healthier and fairer.”
Ms Baillie added: “With Scots continuing to have the lowest life expectancy in the whole of the UK, these figures should serve as a wake-up call for the SNP government to redouble its efforts to tackle poverty.”
Ros Altmann, director of the Saga Group, which caters for the over-50s, said: “It is of great concern to see a growing gap in life expectancy between north and south Britain, especially at the moment, when policy-makers seem to be assuming that longer life expectancy is a reality for all.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Health in Scotland is improving, but we must continue to take action to address the health inequalities which exist between our more affluent and more deprived communities.
“These long-standing problems cannot be addressed overnight, but we are taking, and will continue to take, significant action to address them through our efforts to reduce alcohol consumption, cut smoking rates, encourage active living and healthy eating, and promote positive mental health.
“Equally Well, the report of the ministerial task-force on health inequalities, has already shifted the emphasis of our approach from dealing with the consequences of health inequalities to tackling the underlying causes, such as poverty, employment, support for families and improving physical and social environments.
The spokesman went on: “Through our early-years framework and getting it right for every child approach, we are also placing a strong emphasis on trying to give children, particularly those who are most disadvantaged, the best possible start in life.
“This can make a real difference to their future health and life chances.”
The spokesman said: “We also gave a clear commitment in the spending review to place a much greater focus on preventing spending in the early years.
“We are starting with a £50 million early years fund because we know that every pound invested during the early years can not only save the taxpayer up to £9 later in a child’s life, but can also make a real difference to their future health and development.”
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said addressing health inequalities was of “fundamental importance” to the local authority.
Michelle Mitchell, director at Age UK, said: “What is concerning and seems ever more widening is the gap between life expectancy for people in different areas across the UK.
“This disparity reflects the inequalities that exist, particularly in relation to people’s health, in certain areas of the country.”
The extent of the divide has been blamed on a string of social factors.
These include differing lifestyles; alcohol consumption and smoking; the proportion of people living in deprivation; the availability of local services; environmental conditions; and a person’s social class and socio-economic status.
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Comments
There are 247 comments to this article
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Tarheel Chief
Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 01:44 AMHow can anyone say Scots have poorer health when this has been disproved on battlefields across the globe? Why do people emphasize longevity while de-emphasizing the quality of life? What would rather be a Scot, an Irishman, Brit or Welshman? Knox chose Scotland to create the Kirk,he could not find a suitable replacement. The major advances in science,industry,and philosophy came from Scotland. Einstein went to Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study a great reservoir of Presbyterian wisdom and discipline. The weather itself,the food,and the clothing make Scots tougher than any group outside the Gurkhas.
Wilfred Reborn
Friday, October 21, 2011 at 12:19 PMIt's so easy to jump on the bandwagon of linking life expectancy to so-called 'deprivation'. The statistics show that the two are linked after all. But remember there are lies, damned lies and statistics. Here, the statistics do not give us the cause. I believe that the 'deprivation' and the life-expectancy are linked because the people choose to be lazy, not work, not exercise and smoke and drink to excess. Eating junk food and downing pints of IPA is a choice. It is not deprivation. Having no food or water due to famine in Africa is deprivation.
Administrator
Friday, October 21, 2011 at 12:23 AM#244, "God's legacy" per-chance? Marginalising us atheists lol!
muddywater
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 11:36 PMPsssst! Don't tell the scotsman there's a SNP conference running. They may not notice it! I wonder what tomorrows headlines are?
Tartancult
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 08:31 PMAs he is still alive, Jock - too long.
Jo'Burg Jock
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:49 PMTartancult What is the life expectancy of a Libyan despot's best pal, if his name is Tony?
Tartancult
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:37 PMThe life expectancy of a Libyan despot is 69.
Jo'Burg Jock
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:34 PMExiled Leither "Aircraft carriers may have no airplanes but they do provide jobs." You are beginning to sound like a loony Labour Politician - Please don't go there, I know you are better than that, and yes, I do understand that you are not a labour supporter.
Jo'Burg Jock
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:28 PMExiled Leither "Our universities are free" - thanks to the Nationalists. "for every manufacturing magnate there are 100 labourers" you are neglecting to count - 1000 machinists, 20 Technicians, 15 Apprentices, 40 Admin Staff, 15 Sales persons, 25 Foremen, 3 Shift Managers, 10 Q.C. and 5 Senior Managers.
Exiled Leither
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:18 PMSelf Determination,,,, Sorry unlike you I dont have the luxury of being able to put a twelve hour shift on here every day. Interestingly most people think that the Olympics being in the UK will actually encourage many to get out and play sports thus improving their health. I cant agree with your taxation view,, very rarely does raising taxation for anyone result in better lives for anyone other than those living ff the state. Which is one of the main problems. Enjoy your time at the pub,, but remember that with every sip you are contributing to the statistics. Maybe you should see it as your patriotic duty to only ever drink Scottish mineral water for the rest of your life? YOUR CHOICE!!!
Tibially Challenged Douglas Bader
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:17 PM234 - Who's getting the first pint in? Pomona or yourself?
Tibially Challenged Douglas Bader
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:16 PMComment removed by moderator
Exiled Leither
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:10 PMJoburg Jock,,, Scotland already has some of the worlds finest healthcare. Our universityies are free to Scots and lead the world in healthcare technologies as well as many other areas. I agree we do need lower tax and more manufacturing but for every manufacturing magnate there are 100 labourers cleaning the factory. they will always be poorer but that does not mean they will be unhealthier. Aircraft carriers may have no airplanes but they do provide jobs. What is different between building ships than anyother capital project? is that not plan MacB?--We have just had nearly 15 years of boom in this country and still people choose to live unhealthy lifestyles, that is down to culture, not my culture and probably not yours but the culture of many.
Self Determination
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:08 PMNow I am off to the pub see you all later
Self Determination
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 07:07 PMIf you had bothered to read earlier you would have seen my suggestions. However in short ,progressive taxation not regressive ,narrow the poverty gap ,early intervention ,job creation in worst affected areas . Realising our wealth to address these issues not to take part in foreign wars or have WMD ,14 day Sporting jamborees in London etc.. Social education ,and involving communities making decisions with thecommunity . Bottom up policies not the other way round. Having full control over ALL the financial levers will let us target the worst affected areas. An Oil fund to protect Scottish welfare payments and Pensions. Improved housing ,and insulation to lessen fuel poverty. Reduction in class sizes as being done by government. Catch them early and educate ,educate!! That for starters ,all of course after jettisoning London from around our neck.
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