Life expectancy for poorest Scots 20 years less than for wealthiest
The stark impact of inequality across Scotland means differences in “healthy” life expectancy between rich and poor can stretch to decades.
Men in the least deprived section of the population can expect to live 22.5 years longer in good health than those in the most deprived. For women, the gap is slightly greater, at 23 years.
The figures were branded “shameful” by Labour MSP David Stewart.
“It cannot be right that those living in the richest areas can also expect to live in good health for over 20 years longer than those in poorest areas,” he said.
“The SNP Government has failed to tackle intolerable health inequalities after over a decade in power. We need action to reverse this trend.”
Gerrymccartney,headof the Public Health Observatory at NHS Health Scotland, said the figures were a “real concern.”
He added: “People in our poorest areas are living shorter lives than those in our more wealthy areas.
“This is not only unfair and preventable but it can also give an indication that this inequality is driving the stall in expectancy.”
He said undoing the causes of poverty is essential to address the decline, adding evidence indicates countries that have cut funding for public services and social security have experienced life expectancy worsen most.
Healthy life expectancy is calculated using data from the Annual Population Survey which asks people to rate their own health from “very good”, “good”, “fair”, “bad” to “very bad”. Those who answered “good” or “very good” are deemed to be in good health.
Across the UK, Scotland has the second highest healthy life expectancy (behind England) and the third highest healthy life expectancy levels among females (behind England and Northern Ireland).