Life expectancy falls for girls in poor areas

THE life expectancy of girls living in the poorest areas of England has fallen by almost 100 days in the past five years, official figures show.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday released data showing that girls born in deprived areas in 2017 are expected to die more than three months earlier than those born in the same areas in 2012.

Researchers said that the data revealed “a significant widening in the inequality of life expectancy”.

Women in the most deprived areas in England can expect to live for 78.7 years, while women in the least deprived areas are likely to live for 86.2 years.

The data show that women born in the most deprived areas of England had the biggest drop in life expectancy; between 2012-14 and 2015-17, their life expectancy at birth fell by 98 days.

In comparison, the life expectancy of women living in the least deprived areas increased by 84 days. Meanwhile, for the same period, boys born in the wealthiest areas of England can expect to live 95 days longer.

Ben Humberstone, deputy director for health analysis and life events at ONS, said: “We’ve found a large fall in life expectancy at birth among women living in the most deprived areas in England. This is in contrast to the continued increases in life expectancy for women living in the least deprived areas. This has led to a significant widening in the inequality in life expectancy at birth in England.”

Mr Humberstone said the analysis showed that life expectancy had stopped improving at the rate that was expected before 2011 and that further research was needed to analyse the impact of deprivation.