Babies born in the North expected to live ‘at least one year less’ than rest of England
People living in the North of England are likely to die younger than the rest of the country, according to new data.
Health experts have also warned life expectancy in northern regions will ‘continue on a downward spiral’ if urgent action isn’t taken to tackle inequalities.
The gap between the North and the rest of England has widened after a number of factors were analysed, including infant mortality rates, disabilities, unpaid care and how people assess their own health.
Babies born in the North – classed as the regions of the North East, North West or Yorkshire and Humber – are expected to live at least one year less than other areas, the research shows.
Academics from the new Health Equity North (HEN) institute discovered the findings after looking at data from the 2021 census.
Dr Luke Munford, a health economist from Manchester University who co-authored the report, said: ‘The northern regions have faced worse health outcomes for many years and with the added challenges posed in the wake of the pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis, things look set to continue on a downward spiral.
‘However, a joined-up approach to tackle these inequalities at local and national level would help to rebalance regional health inequity.’
In the North East in particular, life expectancy is actually significantly lower – around three years less than the best performing regions.
Clare Bambra, professor of public health at Newcastle University and fellow co-author, said: ‘Our first report clearly shows that health inequalities in the North of England aren’t going away.
‘They are getting worse and they will continue to do so without urgent action to ensure people living in the North have the same life chances as those in the rest of England.’
Infant mortality rates averaged four in 1,000 live births across the North, compared to three in 1,000 for London and the South East – there were 144 more infant deaths in the North East in 2021.
The North has higher rates of what is considered ‘bad or very bad health’, with 6.9% of people in the North East falling into this category, 6.4% in North West, and 5.9% in Yorkshire and the Humber, compared to the English average of 5.3%.
Health disadvantages have also had an impact on productivity due to increased levels of economic inactivity because of ill health.
England’s five local authorities with the highest number of people saying a disability ‘limits their day-to-day activities a lot’ are in the North.
They are: Knowsley (North West; 13%), Liverpool (North West; 12.7%), Blackpool (North West; 12%), Manchester (North West; 11.4%) and Hartlepool (North East; 11.3%).
Economic inactivity due to ill health or disability is at its highest in the North.
The English average is 4.1%, whereas it stands at 5.7% in the North East, 5.3% in the North West and 4.7% in Yorkshire and the Humber.
More people in the North say they provide unpaid care compared to the rest of England.
The national average is 8.9%, while in the North East it’s 10.1%, the North West 9.7% and Yorkshire and the Humber is 9.3%.
The HEN institute academics will produce annual updates on health in the North and try to influence policy to reduce inequalities across the regions.
Professor David Taylor-Robinson, HEN academic director, professor of public health and policy at the University of Liverpool and co-author, said: ‘It is not acceptable that children born in the North face the prospect of shorter lives.
‘Everyone deserves to have the same chances but we know that many families in the North face a daily struggle to meet basic needs.
‘While our report is a sobering read it also provides clear recommendations on a range of short and long-term measures that could help improve health outcomes for people across the North.’
Another recent study found that our stress levels are actually at their highest in our 20s.
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