Figures reveal deprivation divide in life expectancy
MEN in the poorest areas of Glasgow are expected to die 12 years earlier than in the most affluent areas of Scotland.
The latest statistics show health inequalities persist with glaring differences between richer and poorer areas.
The latest figures show that males in Glasgow have a life expectancy of 73 and females 78.
Both are several years short of the Scottish average of 77 for men and 81 for women.
However, in the most deprived communities, which includes many parts of Glasgow, particularly in the north and east of the city, the average is just 70 years.
Men in the least deprived areas – which include generally wealthy Glasgow suburbs like Eastwood and Bearsden, just a short walk away from poorer areas like
Drumchapel – can expect to live until they are 82.3 years old.
Medical professionals have said the statistics are evidence of “stark and unacceptable” health inequalities.
The figures also showed the extent to which healthy life expectancy is worse in the poorer areas, with people there anticipated to suffer poor health for around a third of their life.
Across Scotland there has been a stalling in the pattern of increasing life expectancy over recent years.
The most marked differences remain in the poorest areas.
Glasgow has consistently been the lowest and again is ranked bottom of Scotland’s 32 council areas.
The highest life expectancy for men in Scotland is in East Dunbartonshire, which includes
Bearsden and Milngavie, at 80.5 years for men and 83.5 for women.
Doctors highlighted the difference in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas.
Dr Nikki Thompson, deputy chair of the Scottish Council at BMA Scotland, said: “These statistics leave us in absolutely no doubt that stark and unacceptable health inequalities persist across Scotland.
“It is 2019 and we should not tolerate a society where those in some areas of the country will spend an extra 23 years in poor health compared to those living in Scotland’s most affluent areas. “We need much more concerted action on public health, particularly focused on reducing inequalities, from all levels of government.”
The figures showed that deprivation has an even bigger effect on healthy life expectancy with men in the least deprived areas spending 23 extra years in good health compared to those in the most deprived areas.
For women, the healthy life expectancy gap was 23.9 years.
Paul Lowe, the chief executive of National Records of Scotland and Registrar General for Scotland, said: “The new figures show that the stall in life-expectancy growth which we have seen for Scotland as a whole is happening in almost all areas across Scotland.
“However, the rate of change varies amongst council areas with some slowing more than others and some showing falling life expectancy.
“The figures also continue to show that those living in less deprived areas are expected to live longer, healthier lives than those in more deprived areas.”